Lease ending, what would you do?
Discussion
The finance lease on my Transit Custom is coming to an end in October, so realistically need to start looking at its replacement soon.
Ideally, I want a bigger van, as mine is L1H1 and I'm struggling for space. An L2H2 Sprinter/Master/Boxer-esque van fits the bill. But, I had a very good deal on the Custom and I can't get close to it again, let alone on something bigger.
So I'm thinking of going back to used vans. I have a decent amount of equity in the Custom and with a small amount of borrowing, I can stretch to a 10k van (not VAT registered). Which seems to be 150k+, nearly 10 year old Sprinters are slightly newer French vans (which doesn't bother me, done plenty of trouble free miles in French stuff).
I know prices are crazy at present, but am I equally as crazy spending this sort of money on the above?
I'd much rather cut my monthly payments in half and actually own the van. But, the reason I ended up leasing is because the last 2nd hand van I had was notoriously unreliable and I needed a quick solution to my problem.
Anyone else in the same boat? I'm driving myself crazy with it!
Ideally, I want a bigger van, as mine is L1H1 and I'm struggling for space. An L2H2 Sprinter/Master/Boxer-esque van fits the bill. But, I had a very good deal on the Custom and I can't get close to it again, let alone on something bigger.
So I'm thinking of going back to used vans. I have a decent amount of equity in the Custom and with a small amount of borrowing, I can stretch to a 10k van (not VAT registered). Which seems to be 150k+, nearly 10 year old Sprinters are slightly newer French vans (which doesn't bother me, done plenty of trouble free miles in French stuff).
I know prices are crazy at present, but am I equally as crazy spending this sort of money on the above?
I'd much rather cut my monthly payments in half and actually own the van. But, the reason I ended up leasing is because the last 2nd hand van I had was notoriously unreliable and I needed a quick solution to my problem.
Anyone else in the same boat? I'm driving myself crazy with it!
Sorry Ricky but I am prejudiced in that I have always run Sprinters and have never leased . I have four of the Flatbed variety at present . My advice is to look for a second hand Sprinter at a decent mileage because well looked after with regular oil changes and servicing you will easily hit 350,000 miles . You simply wont find that kind of durability anywhere else . For £5000 plus vat Mercedes will even do a replacement engine when yours expires . Its my intention to start doing just that because at £5000 cost its almost the equivalent of the VAT payment on a new one . Transits made in Turkey have become a complete joke in the Construction Sector and the failings are well catalogued in various Forums , I wouldn't buy a kebab from these people let alone a van . You want a one owner Sprinter with up to 125000 covered complete with FSH . I dont know where you are in the Country but I have an Independent here in MK who looks after all my vehicles and saves me a fortune in the process . Good luck .
Rickyy said:
The finance lease on my Transit Custom is coming to an end in October, so realistically need to start looking at its replacement soon.
Ideally, I want a bigger van, as mine is L1H1 and I'm struggling for space. An L2H2 Sprinter/Master/Boxer-esque van fits the bill. But, I had a very good deal on the Custom and I can't get close to it again, let alone on something bigger.
So I'm thinking of going back to used vans. I have a decent amount of equity in the Custom and with a small amount of borrowing, I can stretch to a 10k van (not VAT registered). Which seems to be 150k+, nearly 10 year old Sprinters are slightly newer French vans (which doesn't bother me, done plenty of trouble free miles in French stuff).
I know prices are crazy at present, but am I equally as crazy spending this sort of money on the above?
I'd much rather cut my monthly payments in half and actually own the van. But, the reason I ended up leasing is because the last 2nd hand van I had was notoriously unreliable and I needed a quick solution to my problem.
Anyone else in the same boat? I'm driving myself crazy with it!
You mention equity in the current van, is it leased or on PCP?Ideally, I want a bigger van, as mine is L1H1 and I'm struggling for space. An L2H2 Sprinter/Master/Boxer-esque van fits the bill. But, I had a very good deal on the Custom and I can't get close to it again, let alone on something bigger.
So I'm thinking of going back to used vans. I have a decent amount of equity in the Custom and with a small amount of borrowing, I can stretch to a 10k van (not VAT registered). Which seems to be 150k+, nearly 10 year old Sprinters are slightly newer French vans (which doesn't bother me, done plenty of trouble free miles in French stuff).
I know prices are crazy at present, but am I equally as crazy spending this sort of money on the above?
I'd much rather cut my monthly payments in half and actually own the van. But, the reason I ended up leasing is because the last 2nd hand van I had was notoriously unreliable and I needed a quick solution to my problem.
Anyone else in the same boat? I'm driving myself crazy with it!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202202012...
Plenty out there chap , if I remember correctly L2 is MWB ? Apologies if I am wrong on that
Plenty out there chap , if I remember correctly L2 is MWB ? Apologies if I am wrong on that
reddiesel said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202202012...
Plenty out there chap , if I remember correctly L2 is MWB ? Apologies if I am wrong on that
Only three grand over budget…Plenty out there chap , if I remember correctly L2 is MWB ? Apologies if I am wrong on that
reddiesel said:
Sorry Ricky but I am prejudiced in that I have always run Sprinters and have never leased . I have four of the Flatbed variety at present . My advice is to look for a second hand Sprinter at a decent mileage because well looked after with regular oil changes and servicing you will easily hit 350,000 miles . You simply wont find that kind of durability anywhere else . For £5000 plus vat Mercedes will even do a replacement engine when yours expires . Its my intention to start doing just that because at £5000 cost its almost the equivalent of the VAT payment on a new one . Transits made in Turkey have become a complete joke in the Construction Sector and the failings are well catalogued in various Forums , I wouldn't buy a kebab from these people let alone a van . You want a one owner Sprinter with up to 125000 covered complete with FSH . I dont know where you are in the Country but I have an Independent here in MK who looks after all my vehicles and saves me a fortune in the process . Good luck .
That's reassuring. Ones in my budget seem to be knocking on for 200k, which doesn't bother me if they're good for 300k+ if looked after.Did Mercedes sort out the corrosion issues on later models? I've noticed most from 10 on don't seem to be rotting as badly.
I've been very lucky with my Transit, hasn't put a foot wrong on 61k miles, unlike others. But, yes the thought of owning one 2nd hand way out of warranty scares me a bit.
Thanks for your insight.
On the Merc front I have a Vito, they also come in LWB and hi-tops, although the hi-tops are not the prettiest.
Recently picked up a 13 plate with 93,000 on it for £9,000. Seemed a lot to me, but I had had my fill of looking at old nails with double the mileage for the same price. I was also looking at a LWB one with all the toys, a V6 and an automatic gearbox for 8K, beforesussing out that it wouldn’t fit on my drive and allow me to open my garage door.
I like Vitos because they have tailgates, not double doors.
Recently picked up a 13 plate with 93,000 on it for £9,000. Seemed a lot to me, but I had had my fill of looking at old nails with double the mileage for the same price. I was also looking at a LWB one with all the toys, a V6 and an automatic gearbox for 8K, beforesussing out that it wouldn’t fit on my drive and allow me to open my garage door.
I like Vitos because they have tailgates, not double doors.
Looks like there will be a glut of euro 5 stuff with all the CAZ in Manchester etc , late Euro 6 low mileage used stuff seems to be about a 3rd more than what it would have been 2 years ago for a 1 to 3 year old van,
I’m after a big ish van and looks like hi miles Bought for cash or new is the best bet if you want finance as most of the dealers think they should make large lumps out of both used vans and the finance ,
I think the prices will soon go down , the Covid money is spent and the cost of living is going up so there won’t be as many buyers .
I’m after a big ish van and looks like hi miles Bought for cash or new is the best bet if you want finance as most of the dealers think they should make large lumps out of both used vans and the finance ,
I think the prices will soon go down , the Covid money is spent and the cost of living is going up so there won’t be as many buyers .
Rickyy said:
That's reassuring. Ones in my budget seem to be knocking on for 200k, which doesn't bother me if they're good for 300k+ if looked after.
Did Mercedes sort out the corrosion issues on later models? I've noticed most from 10 on don't seem to be rotting as badly.
I've been very lucky with my Transit, hasn't put a foot wrong on 61k miles, unlike others. But, yes the thought of owning one 2nd hand way out of warranty scares me a bit.
Thanks for your insight.
I realise you are on a budget Ricky but I would be selling the wife and kids if there was a chance I could pick up a half decent Sprinter . As regards the Rot I have owned several of every version since the Models introduction in the late nineties . The worst by far for me corrosion wise were the second generation which started on an X Plate and went through to 2006 , the first with the dashboard gear change . The rest I have to say were fine . What you have to remember that with a 4.3mtr LWB Sprinter in particular , they are often driven by halfwits with little regard for the vehicle , they dont pay for them so they dont care . You only have to take a drive up the nearest motorway to see the amount of damaged Sprinters on the road , it literally breaks my heart to see a £35k van only months old already badly damaged . Of course when they are repaired the quality of repair can be pretty poor . I have to say that when you go to MWB which is the size you are contemplating this is barely an issue as they are bought and operated by a different type of Buyer . I think the one I posted in the link looks particularly attractive for a few reasons . Its low mileage and full history . More importantly the interior supports the fact that its been well looked after and is in my humble opinion a genuine vehicle . Points against its not a Hi Top , is that an issue I dont know your circumstances .Did Mercedes sort out the corrosion issues on later models? I've noticed most from 10 on don't seem to be rotting as badly.
I've been very lucky with my Transit, hasn't put a foot wrong on 61k miles, unlike others. But, yes the thought of owning one 2nd hand way out of warranty scares me a bit.
Thanks for your insight.
Edited by reddiesel on Wednesday 2nd February 10:50
Rickyy said:
Venisonpie said:
You mention equity in the current van, is it leased or on PCP?
It's on finance lease, so anything above the settlement figure is mine. Trade in value is currently a lot higher than what I owe Ford to end the lease.The used market is very toppy as you know with an awful lot of rubbish being disposed of. I would echo the poster advocating the Merc product although maybe worth considering a Vito L2/L3 as they seem to be much better value. Auto box with the 2.2 engine and they're very robust either in Vito or Sprinter flavour.
Not sure if you need a Euro 6 for ULEZ compliance but if not you may find more competitively priced stuff.
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff