Van Advice Part 2

Author
Discussion

Hogg920

Original Poster:

28 posts

173 months

Saturday 26th November 2016
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Hi Looking to buy a Van in the New Year, My old man is retiring and although he has kindly offered me his LWB transit connect, its seen better days and in all honesty isn't really big enough for what i need, Ive got a budget of 3-4k and id rather not get somthing thats been to the moon and back, I like the look of the 2.2HDi citroen relay/boxer/ducato and wondered if they are reasonably reliable or affordable to repair and maintain?

Any other suggestions from other manufacturers are welcome, i've not got my heart set on a relay by any means

Other than the connect the only other van ive driven in the last 6 years is a renault trafic we has for a week after some dozy cow side swiped the ford, wasn't overly inpressed as it was only a 3 year old van at the time and the thing was falling apart and the remote central locking had a mind of its own, i realise as a rental its probably had a harder than average life but come on, vans are meant to be able to take a bit of stick arent they??

anyway, any advice would be appreciated!

B17NNS

18,506 posts

254 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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SWB Transit seems the logical next step up from a LWB Connect. If you go down the Transit route try for a Trend spec (or Limited if you can get one). Mine is a 115ps MWB which is plenty of poke for what I do. Oodles to choose from and they're cheap to fix.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

This is mine...



Edited by B17NNS on Thursday 1st December 11:49

martin mrt

3,831 posts

208 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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SWB VW Transporter, more expensive outlay but look after it and the residuals are rock solid

What I sold my first one for in 2011 I would still get within £1k of it today

Driven all sorts of vans, Transits to Ducatos and Vitos to VWT5s and the VWs are IMO by far the best on the market

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

144 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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martin mrt said:
SWB VW Transporter, more expensive outlay but look after it and the residuals are rock solid

What I sold my first one for in 2011 I would still get within £1k of it today

Driven all sorts of vans, Transits to Ducatos and Vitos to VWT5s and the VWs are IMO by far the best on the market
Agreed, some rate the Vito, I'm really not a fan and we used to be able to choose what you wanted (Transporter) but not anymore.

Spudler

3,985 posts

203 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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Have you thought of leasing?
Some very good deals out there.

TwistingMyMelon

6,390 posts

212 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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Spudler said:
Have you thought of leasing?
Some very good deals out there.
Ive often fancied a van, ideally a 5 seater combi but a 3 seater might be ok for personal use (camping bikes etc...) but when I look at leaseing deals it all obviously aimed at businesses, anyone had any experience of leasing a van for personal use ?

B17NNS

18,506 posts

254 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
quotequote all
TwistingMyMelon said:
Ive often fancied a van, ideally a 5 seater combi but a 3 seater might be ok for personal use (camping bikes etc...) but when I look at leaseing deals it all obviously aimed at businesses, anyone had any experience of leasing a van for personal use ?
Just add VAT and thats usually the personal price. I'd imagine the lease companies would welcome personal users as the vans would be better looked after. I'd be trying the Vito, Transporter and Transit Custom if I were you. All available as nicely specced crew cab versions.

Edited by B17NNS on Thursday 1st December 16:36

Spudler

3,985 posts

203 months

Thursday 1st December 2016
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Have a look on Vanarama, all explained with the pros and cons re personal leasing etc.
The new Transit Custom is a world away from the mk7.

twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Not sure if big enough but the new Dispatch looks good... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/citroen/dispatch/9518...

TwistingMyMelon

6,390 posts

212 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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cheers for the tips chaps

rallycross

13,286 posts

244 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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£2k to £3k does not get you much van with current prices and you won't find a low mileage clean van at this price unless it's old.

At this budget is avoid Renault and Vauxhall and buy a clean old transit cheaper to fix and better to drive and can always be sold easily - don't expect to find any bargains at this price demand exceeds supply!

TwistingMyMelon

6,390 posts

212 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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cheers for the tips chaps

Flyin Banana

2,178 posts

245 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
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If you do decide on the custom and a lease, i'll try my best to sort you out a good deal, I can also lease on personal as well as business

cheers Rob

xstian

2,030 posts

153 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
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At this price range I would be looking at Toyota Hiace. They are a bit agricultural so if you are planning on doing lots of motorway miles they might not be the best for the job. But they don't rust and are very, very reliable.

I don't think you can say that of any other van in the £3-4k price range.

They are also rwd which gives it a bit of PH kudos.