I drove a van and I liked it.
Discussion
Bit of a pointless thread really, cool starry bra etc...
...But I've always had a van shaped itch and today I scratched it. Was at a loose end, and have access to a van, so thought I'd give it a go.
The beast in question was a 10-plate VW Transporter TDI (102 bhp). Now despite having less the half the power and weighing half a ton more than my usual steed, the thing could move. It helped that it was unladen but it really did shift, and up to about 3k rpm pulled as well as my car. Impressive. Although it did sound raucous in the rev range thereafter, as the power faded away. First gear was ludicrously short so my first gear change was at about walking speed, but I can understand that being able to do a hill start with a ton of breeze blocks in the back necessitates this.
The control weights were supermini-like, which surprised me too. I even took it to some of my favourite local twisties, where it didn't disgrace itself either. Yes, it had no feel, and yes it rolled like a bouncy castle on wheels made of jelly, but it stuck to the road without issue at a pace as quick as I'd drive a vehicle not belonging to me.
Loved the driving position -so easy to get out of junctions when you can see oncoming traffic over the roofs of parked cars. Visibility in the other direction (backwards) wasn't so good, and reversing on wing mirrors alone was disconcerting. It was basic (adjusting the wing mirrors involved physically moving the plane of glass from the outside), but it was refined too, and I'd no problem having to do a long motorway slog in it.
So what's my point, I guess I don't have one really, except that I now want my own!
...But I've always had a van shaped itch and today I scratched it. Was at a loose end, and have access to a van, so thought I'd give it a go.
The beast in question was a 10-plate VW Transporter TDI (102 bhp). Now despite having less the half the power and weighing half a ton more than my usual steed, the thing could move. It helped that it was unladen but it really did shift, and up to about 3k rpm pulled as well as my car. Impressive. Although it did sound raucous in the rev range thereafter, as the power faded away. First gear was ludicrously short so my first gear change was at about walking speed, but I can understand that being able to do a hill start with a ton of breeze blocks in the back necessitates this.
The control weights were supermini-like, which surprised me too. I even took it to some of my favourite local twisties, where it didn't disgrace itself either. Yes, it had no feel, and yes it rolled like a bouncy castle on wheels made of jelly, but it stuck to the road without issue at a pace as quick as I'd drive a vehicle not belonging to me.
Loved the driving position -so easy to get out of junctions when you can see oncoming traffic over the roofs of parked cars. Visibility in the other direction (backwards) wasn't so good, and reversing on wing mirrors alone was disconcerting. It was basic (adjusting the wing mirrors involved physically moving the plane of glass from the outside), but it was refined too, and I'd no problem having to do a long motorway slog in it.
So what's my point, I guess I don't have one really, except that I now want my own!
Crafter would be well worth a try. I have a mwb high roof one, fully loaded (in weight) at all times. Splendid thing to drive, they feel a lot larger than they are which is nice.
The only thing is my original one (2007 model) went wrong LOTS.
So far my 2012 one has been spot on though.
The only thing is my original one (2007 model) went wrong LOTS.
So far my 2012 one has been spot on though.
Synchromesh said:
cheddar said:
I love vans too.
There, I said it.
Small is beautiful though and VW's 140 Caddy is the absolute Daddy.
Not a proper van imo...although a T5 with that engine (+remap) would be nice...There, I said it.
Small is beautiful though and VW's 140 Caddy is the absolute Daddy.
Lovely lovely vans those T5's, whatever engine you choose.
nice one 
always good to scratch an itch.
i drove a brand new transit tipper this last week, for something i did sunday night. got to be honest, it was a lovely bit of kit, bit smaller than my normal ride, but i still really liked it.
good tip with a tipper, (private road of course) at a fair rate of speed, do a hard brake, back gets loose, steps out, back on power for "transit drifting"!!!
always good to scratch an itch.i drove a brand new transit tipper this last week, for something i did sunday night. got to be honest, it was a lovely bit of kit, bit smaller than my normal ride, but i still really liked it.
good tip with a tipper, (private road of course) at a fair rate of speed, do a hard brake, back gets loose, steps out, back on power for "transit drifting"!!!
Vans are cool. I've had several mk5 Astravan Sportive's and I can honestly say that they'd all easily out-perform my Golf GTTDI, Puma and 330 in the twisties. They handle and drive incredibly well and put a lot of "sport" branded cars to shame.
The Merc Sprinters are pretty nice to drive too although it's very easy to lose the back end in them, especially in the wet.
The Merc Sprinters are pretty nice to drive too although it's very easy to lose the back end in them, especially in the wet.
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