Which van based MPV 'lifetsyle' day-van?
Discussion
Long one this one. Been considering this for years but finally think its time to move on from big estate cars loaded with bike racks and roof boxes to get a proper 'day van'.
I've done enough standing freezing and filthy in my pants in Forestry Commision car parks after a muddy bike ride, jealous of all the VW crew to last a lifetime!
Think camping trips, bike races, days at the beach, family holidays etc.
Started out thinking of Ford Connects, Berlingos, Caddy's etc however they might not gain me enough extra practicality than the bigger estate cars but lose an awful lot in kit/refinement/driving enjoyment/power - I'm unsure on these options yet.
Upto 30k then maybe, but its got to be the 'right' thing for that with some longevity. Must be useable as a car - not my only car, but will be the main vehicle in winter when the fun stuff is locked away. I cant afford a brand new 60k VW T7 Multivan otherwise I'd have already had one bought - it looks perfect.
Only need 5 seats, most of the options will be 7, 8 or 9 but the back seats will mainly live in the shed. Must be a proper registered MPV, class 4 MOTs, 'car' insurance, car speed limits etc (Not a white panel van/kombi with a 3 seat bench bolted to the floor) No bulkheads. Full glazing front to rear. Tailgate over barn doors. Never really bothered me before but as a long term prospect it needs to be Euro 6 I think. Auto is massively preferable but wouldnt turn down an otherwise perfect car with a manual. I don't need/ want a camper or any converted or ex wheel-chair adapted cars (which lots of the cheaper examples often are) with bits of chassis and bumper cut out and rows of seats missing.
Not a traditional car based MPV either - Galaxy's, Sharans etc are simply not big or square enough and offer little benefit over an E-class wagon (Bikes in upright , for instance).
Starting with W447 V-Class - I've had a few Mercedes, I like them, know and trust them. Pushing the budget though, and very much on the big side - perhaps too much (like the transit). I really do want practicality but I do have to balance the sensibility of me quite often driving around alone, in a 9 seater car that is a squeeze in Tesco. Very rare as privately owned, not moon-miles ex airport shuttles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...
Merc also do the W447 in Vito Tourer format - halfway between the V-Class and Vito panel van spec. Classed as 'minibus' but certain specs meet the dual purpose vehicle definition. Got to be very careful with the spec though, theres a huge range from quite nicely trimmed and specced through to very, very basic. I'd have to avoid twin/double front pax seats, renault engines and boggo basic specs with ply lined doors. No floor rails like the V Class either. These are quite durable I think, both Merc options will be older than the rest for the budget but can do mega miles however... I dont actually need to do mega miles! 10k a year for 4 years is worst case really for me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...
Secondly - the Stellantis family - Toyota Pro-Ace/Citroen Spacetourer/Peugeot Traveller/Vauxhall Vivaro Life.
On paper these are starting to really appeal - a relatively moder design, fraction smaller, lower and narrower than the others making them supposedly very nice and easy to drive whilst still being a proper square sides van. All Euro 6, and there is a pretty pokey 180 hp diesel with a pretty good 8 speed auto.
Toyota and Peugeot versions seem best specced, I'd get the newest car compared to the other options, love the big sunroofs, opening hatch etc.
Media/infotainment in these Stellantis cars isnt amazing, but at least it has android. Medium or LWB fits the bill, not the odd looking stumpy compact.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...
A Transit Tourneo maybe? Depsite Transits being super common, suitable specs are super rare - SWB, single front pax seats, tailgate, twin sliders, auto... etc
This one looks great though but they are not cheap, and they big - tall and wide, to the point you have to consider access into car parks etc which might start to grate as ones daily driver. Can't get more practical though! Lots are ex-taxi or WAV converted.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
Finally - Volkswagen. Is it just fashion or are these actually the correct choice - they are EVERYWHERE when I'm out on the bike.
Kombi's/crew vans seem to have basic fixed bench seats and hard lined rear doors:
so not really what I'm after. Leaving Caravelle or the Transport Shuttle spec.
I think I need a T6 to get euro 6 really if its gonna be a keeper for a few years, so a Caravelle is going to be higher miles in budget. Transport Shuttle's are a bit cheaper but quite basic and all have the twin front seat I dont want, plastic floors etc.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079...
These are expensive, but are they popular because they are actually the best compromise for my use case?
Are there any obvious things I've missed out? I dont know anything about any of the other, rarer van based options, Renault, Citroen etc, and I dont think the Japanese VIP style imported options are quite the right thing, meant more for 7 people as opposed to 3 or 4 people plus a load of 'stuff'. All a bit old and uneconomical too - fine as a weekend extra toy, but not for a daily use car I think.
I've done enough standing freezing and filthy in my pants in Forestry Commision car parks after a muddy bike ride, jealous of all the VW crew to last a lifetime!
Think camping trips, bike races, days at the beach, family holidays etc.
Started out thinking of Ford Connects, Berlingos, Caddy's etc however they might not gain me enough extra practicality than the bigger estate cars but lose an awful lot in kit/refinement/driving enjoyment/power - I'm unsure on these options yet.
Upto 30k then maybe, but its got to be the 'right' thing for that with some longevity. Must be useable as a car - not my only car, but will be the main vehicle in winter when the fun stuff is locked away. I cant afford a brand new 60k VW T7 Multivan otherwise I'd have already had one bought - it looks perfect.
Only need 5 seats, most of the options will be 7, 8 or 9 but the back seats will mainly live in the shed. Must be a proper registered MPV, class 4 MOTs, 'car' insurance, car speed limits etc (Not a white panel van/kombi with a 3 seat bench bolted to the floor) No bulkheads. Full glazing front to rear. Tailgate over barn doors. Never really bothered me before but as a long term prospect it needs to be Euro 6 I think. Auto is massively preferable but wouldnt turn down an otherwise perfect car with a manual. I don't need/ want a camper or any converted or ex wheel-chair adapted cars (which lots of the cheaper examples often are) with bits of chassis and bumper cut out and rows of seats missing.
Not a traditional car based MPV either - Galaxy's, Sharans etc are simply not big or square enough and offer little benefit over an E-class wagon (Bikes in upright , for instance).
Starting with W447 V-Class - I've had a few Mercedes, I like them, know and trust them. Pushing the budget though, and very much on the big side - perhaps too much (like the transit). I really do want practicality but I do have to balance the sensibility of me quite often driving around alone, in a 9 seater car that is a squeeze in Tesco. Very rare as privately owned, not moon-miles ex airport shuttles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...
Merc also do the W447 in Vito Tourer format - halfway between the V-Class and Vito panel van spec. Classed as 'minibus' but certain specs meet the dual purpose vehicle definition. Got to be very careful with the spec though, theres a huge range from quite nicely trimmed and specced through to very, very basic. I'd have to avoid twin/double front pax seats, renault engines and boggo basic specs with ply lined doors. No floor rails like the V Class either. These are quite durable I think, both Merc options will be older than the rest for the budget but can do mega miles however... I dont actually need to do mega miles! 10k a year for 4 years is worst case really for me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...
Secondly - the Stellantis family - Toyota Pro-Ace/Citroen Spacetourer/Peugeot Traveller/Vauxhall Vivaro Life.
On paper these are starting to really appeal - a relatively moder design, fraction smaller, lower and narrower than the others making them supposedly very nice and easy to drive whilst still being a proper square sides van. All Euro 6, and there is a pretty pokey 180 hp diesel with a pretty good 8 speed auto.
Toyota and Peugeot versions seem best specced, I'd get the newest car compared to the other options, love the big sunroofs, opening hatch etc.
Media/infotainment in these Stellantis cars isnt amazing, but at least it has android. Medium or LWB fits the bill, not the odd looking stumpy compact.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...
A Transit Tourneo maybe? Depsite Transits being super common, suitable specs are super rare - SWB, single front pax seats, tailgate, twin sliders, auto... etc
This one looks great though but they are not cheap, and they big - tall and wide, to the point you have to consider access into car parks etc which might start to grate as ones daily driver. Can't get more practical though! Lots are ex-taxi or WAV converted.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
Finally - Volkswagen. Is it just fashion or are these actually the correct choice - they are EVERYWHERE when I'm out on the bike.
Kombi's/crew vans seem to have basic fixed bench seats and hard lined rear doors:
so not really what I'm after. Leaving Caravelle or the Transport Shuttle spec.
I think I need a T6 to get euro 6 really if its gonna be a keeper for a few years, so a Caravelle is going to be higher miles in budget. Transport Shuttle's are a bit cheaper but quite basic and all have the twin front seat I dont want, plastic floors etc.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079...
These are expensive, but are they popular because they are actually the best compromise for my use case?
Are there any obvious things I've missed out? I dont know anything about any of the other, rarer van based options, Renault, Citroen etc, and I dont think the Japanese VIP style imported options are quite the right thing, meant more for 7 people as opposed to 3 or 4 people plus a load of 'stuff'. All a bit old and uneconomical too - fine as a weekend extra toy, but not for a daily use car I think.
Edited by snotrag on Friday 10th May 14:39
Edited by snotrag on Friday 10th May 14:43
As this is PistonHeads…up to £30,000 on an MPV or van, no way! Get a sports car where you can fit a bike mount and enjoy some spirited driving rather than driving a slow wide vehicle down narrow lanes causing tailbacks and obstructions 
It depends where you go but I’ve had to stop and help a couple of campervan drivers when they’ve clipped walls or hit boulders down narrow roads. It doesn’t look an enjoyable experience driving those things
It depends where you go but I’ve had to stop and help a couple of campervan drivers when they’ve clipped walls or hit boulders down narrow roads. It doesn’t look an enjoyable experience driving those things
I've run a Caddy Maxi Life 2.0 TDi dsg for 4.5 years and 80k miles.
In that time its had one fault which was a wiring harness issue, to be fair it took a while to resolve but other than that its been perfect. I average around 45mpg but have had over 50 when steady cruising
As a 7 seater there is still a reasonable boot but take the back seats out and its huge in the back, the back seats are pretty heavy so a two man job to remove but if your running it permanently as a 5 seater its not a big issue.
I tried the ford grand tourneo connect and the berlingo multispace but they both felt crap to drive, whereas the caddy isnt a bad steer. Mine is a 102bhp version but you can also get a 150bhp version, however they remap very well up to just shy of 200 bhp so easy to get more from if its not a lease like mine is.
In that time its had one fault which was a wiring harness issue, to be fair it took a while to resolve but other than that its been perfect. I average around 45mpg but have had over 50 when steady cruising
As a 7 seater there is still a reasonable boot but take the back seats out and its huge in the back, the back seats are pretty heavy so a two man job to remove but if your running it permanently as a 5 seater its not a big issue.
I tried the ford grand tourneo connect and the berlingo multispace but they both felt crap to drive, whereas the caddy isnt a bad steer. Mine is a 102bhp version but you can also get a 150bhp version, however they remap very well up to just shy of 200 bhp so easy to get more from if its not a lease like mine is.
Freakuk said:
Just get a VW T6 panel van and get it converted to a day van, cheaper than buying the full VW version and taylor it for your needs.
I've got a mate who's business is campers/day vans and specialises in VW transporters, they seem to be the go to choice.
But a converted van will still be classed as a van so lower speed limits, not allowed on certain roads/tunnels/ferries/car parks etc.I've got a mate who's business is campers/day vans and specialises in VW transporters, they seem to be the go to choice.
And generally the base vans are usually pretty low spec too
Transit Custom in Crew Van spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
Vivaro Life Elite:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404188...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
Vivaro Life Elite:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404188...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
I had a Vivaro that I converted myself into a camper, then re-jigged into a day van because as the kids grew it became easier to pitch a tent than negotiate a four person Jenga puzzle each evening. Bought the Vivaro because I couldn’t afford/justify the scene tax on a T5 but always kind of regretted not pushing the boat out…
Sold the van, missed it, so bought an old Caravelle. Brilliant thing for the same use case the OP describes and it even scrubbed up well enough with the seats back in and a few fairy lights to take my daughter and friends to their Prom. Problem was that I bought too-old (my budget was a third of yours) and it was imminently about to throw some big bills - The dual mass flywheel was on the way out amongst a bunch of other things…
I’m van-less again but when (not if) I buy another, it’ll be a Caravelle - This time I’ll wait until I can afford a decent one…
Sold the van, missed it, so bought an old Caravelle. Brilliant thing for the same use case the OP describes and it even scrubbed up well enough with the seats back in and a few fairy lights to take my daughter and friends to their Prom. Problem was that I bought too-old (my budget was a third of yours) and it was imminently about to throw some big bills - The dual mass flywheel was on the way out amongst a bunch of other things…
I’m van-less again but when (not if) I buy another, it’ll be a Caravelle - This time I’ll wait until I can afford a decent one…
I’ve got a V Class and I love it - drives incredibly well for a big lump, and so practical. Major downside is that it’s not great on fuel; depending on mileage that can really add to your costs against something much smaller (I have the v250 and average 34mpg).
I bought mine before prices went through the roof however; unfortunately you need to be certifiable (or a posh taxi driver) to buy one now. They _start_ at £75k new, and go for crazy money second-hand.
I bought mine before prices went through the roof however; unfortunately you need to be certifiable (or a posh taxi driver) to buy one now. They _start_ at £75k new, and go for crazy money second-hand.
Bought a JDM import Toyota Vellfire a few months back having gone through the same thought process. It's 16 years old but pristine throughout. Bulletproof 3.5 V6 engine, electric everything, TV in the back, flip up seats, captains chairs and was less than half your budget. For the same price next door bought a baggy old Caravelle with twice the mileage!
I’d suggest a long test drive for anything from the Stellantis stable. We have a few new ones on loan as pool vehicles. They are not nice to sit in/drive for longer than 20 minute stints. I wouldn’t like to think I had to drive one daily. This goes for many commercial vehicles built in the last 10 years too. The last van I actually didn’t mind driving was the V6 Vito Sport X we had.
Same as this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5HDeOKdIyU
Same as this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5HDeOKdIyU
I’m actually just selling my Caravelle. It’s been a fantastic family bus. I needed a 7 seater and ultimately an XC90, Disco Sport basically anything with 6/7 seats in the boot was just useless as you lost the boot space with the seats up.
If you get an ‘executive’ spec they are nice places to be. Eat up miles. Factory fit VW bike rack is handy too as you can leave it on all the time as it doesn’t get in the way when you aren’t using it.
Kids thought it was great fun to have a picnic in the car using the silly little pop up table.
If you get an ‘executive’ spec they are nice places to be. Eat up miles. Factory fit VW bike rack is handy too as you can leave it on all the time as it doesn’t get in the way when you aren’t using it.
Kids thought it was great fun to have a picnic in the car using the silly little pop up table.
I've got the Vito Tourer 2017 with 162bhp (116). I've had it nearly 3 years. The sensors on the adblue are absolutely garbage. I believe there are 3 of them and they're a fairly expensive fix (and seemingly hard to come by). There is a market for deleting them out to just take the hassle of it away.
Compacts are shorter than a Transporter, Long, longer..
Ours swallows bikes, tows a caravan and is used to carry kids about. The seating in the rear is better than a VW kombi, the trim panels and roof lining is finished better from the factory but the dash is very basic. MPG is pretty good at over 40mpg once warmed up, towing just over 20mpg.
Handling is ok, not class leading by any margin. The Transit is a better steer. Personally, it does a job for us but I could sell it tomorrow if I could get something else that was a nicer place to be in for the same price and similar age. I'd never get a similar aged VW in the same price bracket.
Compacts are shorter than a Transporter, Long, longer..
Ours swallows bikes, tows a caravan and is used to carry kids about. The seating in the rear is better than a VW kombi, the trim panels and roof lining is finished better from the factory but the dash is very basic. MPG is pretty good at over 40mpg once warmed up, towing just over 20mpg.
Handling is ok, not class leading by any margin. The Transit is a better steer. Personally, it does a job for us but I could sell it tomorrow if I could get something else that was a nicer place to be in for the same price and similar age. I'd never get a similar aged VW in the same price bracket.
Same situation as you a few years back, 3 kids, bikes camping etc.
I wanted a caravelle but they were too much money, shuttle I didn't fancy so ended up with an auto T6 factory kombi.
Yes it's a bit like a van, but we love it, cheap insurance compared to my other car, and you get to wave at the other transporters
You'll need >2016 T6 for euro 6.
I wanted a caravelle but they were too much money, shuttle I didn't fancy so ended up with an auto T6 factory kombi.
Yes it's a bit like a van, but we love it, cheap insurance compared to my other car, and you get to wave at the other transporters
You'll need >2016 T6 for euro 6.
Rusty Old-Banger said:
Swapping a twin front seat for a single is easy, so don't discount a van just because of that. A friend is a serial VW buyer and that's his Mrs hates twin seats, so that's usually his very first "mod".
How come he keeps buying Transporters? Does he just like cycling through the colour schemes?ZX10R NIN said:
Transit Custom in Crew Van spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
Vivaro Life Elite:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404188...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
I do like that Vivaro. Never looked at one before. It seems pretty well equipped, economical and still good acceleration. Looks very good value for money compared to the others.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
Vivaro Life Elite:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404188...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
Rusty Old-Banger said:
Swapping a twin front seat for a single is easy, so don't discount a van just because of that. A friend is a serial VW buyer and that's his Mrs hates twin seats, so that's usually his very first "mod".
Yep the double is quite upright, mine came with 2 heated captains chairs and the previous owner changed the passenger for a non heated double!! Some special people around Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff