Van recommendations circa £3000.
Discussion
I have decided that within the coming months the trusty (2003) Kangoo needs retiring. Mechanically it's a cockroach, but there are just too many niggles that I'll never sort, and keeping it 'nice' is just chasing my tail now.
Budget likely £3000-£4000.
Its replacement doesn't need to be huge. A bit more bhp/speed would be nice (it is 65bhp) but not essential. Something a little more modern looking and to drive definitely. A great point about the Kangoo is that fixing/maintaining it is always cheap, I would like this to continue being the case ideally, IE not wanting something chucking out huge bills. I don't do huge mileage in it, maybe 10K P/A.
I have been thinking about VW Caddys initially. Does anyone know much about these? What else of it's size may be a must consider? Focus Connects, are they good? Maybe aesthetically getting on a little bit now?
Any ideas/advice/tips appreciated.
Budget likely £3000-£4000.
Its replacement doesn't need to be huge. A bit more bhp/speed would be nice (it is 65bhp) but not essential. Something a little more modern looking and to drive definitely. A great point about the Kangoo is that fixing/maintaining it is always cheap, I would like this to continue being the case ideally, IE not wanting something chucking out huge bills. I don't do huge mileage in it, maybe 10K P/A.
I have been thinking about VW Caddys initially. Does anyone know much about these? What else of it's size may be a must consider? Focus Connects, are they good? Maybe aesthetically getting on a little bit now?
Any ideas/advice/tips appreciated.
Caddy's are great vans to drive, from a quick glance £4k~ would get an '09/10 1.9 TDI (would be my choice of engine) with 130-150k miles - not so much of an issue if you don't do much yourself IMO.
I've never had any time for Connects but then maybe I've never experienced a good one. The other choice would be a Berlingo but I think the good HDI engine was dropped many moons ago - a mate recently worked on a job with a guy who'd ran his up to 400k with minimal hassle, can't imagine the newer ones doing the same!
I've never had any time for Connects but then maybe I've never experienced a good one. The other choice would be a Berlingo but I think the good HDI engine was dropped many moons ago - a mate recently worked on a job with a guy who'd ran his up to 400k with minimal hassle, can't imagine the newer ones doing the same!
Keep it stiff said:
This might have proved me wrong. C'mon Gromit, let's get to work.Toyata Hiace aren't bad value, and bulletproof.
www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2006-toyota-hiace-gs-2.5-lw...
115k miles, £3k
www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2006-toyota-hiace-gs-2.5-lw...
115k miles, £3k
Flyin Banana said:
have you thought about leasing a new van, no hassles with repairs or worrying what might go wrong, I can get you into a transit courier for around £180pm
have a look and see what you think, just let me know if I can help
Rob
So that's going to cost him £6.5 grand to borrow a baby Transit for 3 years.have a look and see what you think, just let me know if I can help
Rob
As already mentioned, the Hiace is bullet proof, we have six in our business.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2004-toyota-hiace-2...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2004-toyota-hiace-2...
Connect is always quite tidy. Watch out for the ones that have the lower timing belt running in oil. Claimed change interval has gradually fallen from 150k to 125k to 100k, and will I think end up being about 75k. So if it's over this, budget to change it. (Not mega difficult or expensive) Avoid avoid the PSA / ford etc 1.6 hdi. Pile of rubbish.
You may be surprised the Renaults tend to be OK, and personally I would avoid VW. The electrics are a pile of s
t.
Serviced but never repaired the 2.5 Toyotas people are linking - though it aint the best to drive.
The Fiat 1.9 common rail engine is a pretty bullet proof bit of kit, could do much worse than one of those. No real issues that I have come across.
But it's still the ford for me (EGR also plays up more than most)
You may be surprised the Renaults tend to be OK, and personally I would avoid VW. The electrics are a pile of s
t.Serviced but never repaired the 2.5 Toyotas people are linking - though it aint the best to drive.
The Fiat 1.9 common rail engine is a pretty bullet proof bit of kit, could do much worse than one of those. No real issues that I have come across.
But it's still the ford for me (EGR also plays up more than most)
I've had my Connect TDDi for eight years and it's been ultra reliable. It drives as well as a Caddy but without the inflated VW premium they seem to attract. TDCi engines can have issues with injectors and pumps but well serviced vans don't seem to have problems. As has been mentioned, if the fuel pump drive is a belt in oil and not a chain, make sure this has been done or get it done. A failure will generate a very large bill!
If load bay length isn't an issue, get one with a factory fitted bulk head as this cuts down the noise considerably. They are also available with longer wheel bases and a higher roof.
If load bay length isn't an issue, get one with a factory fitted bulk head as this cuts down the noise considerably. They are also available with longer wheel bases and a higher roof.
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