Van advice..... what's best?
Discussion
Been looking at vans today in the 2-3k price bracket and need to make a decision.
At the moment the Vauxhall Vivaro is looking like the best bang for my buck but I don't know that much about them.
They seem to be about 10% cheaper than the equivalent Renault Trafic swb and a lot cheaper than the transit of the same condition and mileage and I'm wondering if its for a reason.
What's the best option for the money and anything in particular that I need to watch out for with the Vauxhall or am I better off buying an older transit for the same money?
Looking at an 07/08 reg with under 100k vivaro mainly but I'm open to any ideas.
Cheers.
At the moment the Vauxhall Vivaro is looking like the best bang for my buck but I don't know that much about them.
They seem to be about 10% cheaper than the equivalent Renault Trafic swb and a lot cheaper than the transit of the same condition and mileage and I'm wondering if its for a reason.
What's the best option for the money and anything in particular that I need to watch out for with the Vauxhall or am I better off buying an older transit for the same money?
Looking at an 07/08 reg with under 100k vivaro mainly but I'm open to any ideas.
Cheers.
Vivaro/trafics are ok, watch for warning lights and fuel leaks related to injectors, 9/10 this leads to broken injectors and head off to repair them. Later versions are better, earlier ones can also suffer from gearbox problems.
Peugeot boxer/Citroen relay are pretty durable vans, often overlooked because of who they're made by. Big inside, old plodder of an engine that goes on and on, one to consider.
Peugeot boxer/Citroen relay are pretty durable vans, often overlooked because of who they're made by. Big inside, old plodder of an engine that goes on and on, one to consider.
Keep your eye out on ebay etc for ex AA transits. The milage tends to be higher but the vans rarely wanted for anything. I picked up a 2010 one straight out of service from a trader with 160k on the clock for 2500 +vat recently. They all are higher spec with air con and electric windows etc. The vivaros and trafics tend to go for a lot more.
Had several of the vivaro for work vans over last 10 yrs
At that money I'm guessing your looking at 09 ish wit some miles under belt.
Main issues are gearbox can be weak , not sure if they altered it but both of mine after 100,000 needed one.
Also rear door handles snap. In the end I took my 4 th one apart gave extra oil checked route of cable and added a support with a length of metal bar on inside of door and this seemed to cure it.
At that money I'm guessing your looking at 09 ish wit some miles under belt.
Main issues are gearbox can be weak , not sure if they altered it but both of mine after 100,000 needed one.
Also rear door handles snap. In the end I took my 4 th one apart gave extra oil checked route of cable and added a support with a length of metal bar on inside of door and this seemed to cure it.
Might also add the transit other lads had I did not feel was as better if you will as everyone said ! !
Don't let gearbox put you off just check it's been sorted or price for it 👍
I always found it a good place to be plus the model you are looking at a cup of tea in a proper cup fits on dash between dash and windscreen and doesn't actually move much.
Always good for a first thing in morning coffee
My brand new vivaro won't do it ! !
Don't let gearbox put you off just check it's been sorted or price for it 👍
I always found it a good place to be plus the model you are looking at a cup of tea in a proper cup fits on dash between dash and windscreen and doesn't actually move much.
Always good for a first thing in morning coffee
My brand new vivaro won't do it ! !
wolf1 said:
Keep your eye out on ebay etc for ex AA transits. The milage tends to be higher but the vans rarely wanted for anything. I picked up a 2010 one straight out of service from a trader with 160k on the clock for 2500 +vat recently. They all are higher spec with air con and electric windows etc. The vivaros and trafics tend to go for a lot more.
Lots of ex AA fleet going through the auctions this week. Quite a few had sensible mileage too. dudleybloke said:
Been looking at vans today in the 2-3k price bracket and need to make a decision.
At the moment the Vauxhall Vivaro is looking like the best bang for my buck but I don't know that much about them.
They seem to be about 10% cheaper than the equivalent Renault Trafic swb and a lot cheaper than the transit of the same condition and mileage and I'm wondering if its for a reason.
What's the best option for the money and anything in particular that I need to watch out for with the Vauxhall or am I better off buying an older transit for the same money?
Looking at an 07/08 reg with under 100k vivaro mainly but I'm open to any ideas.
Cheers.
Been there on behalf of prospective son-in-law. looked at so many vans. Specialist sources were the best and also ex-hire sales. at a few years old the stereotypical favourite, the Transit was rotting to high heaven, with the Mercedes Sprinter a close second. Both histories documented in "Car Mechanics" October 2013. That leaves French stuff as least corrosive, bear in mind that bodywork is a bigger problem than running gear once these vans reach early middle age. Director of local industrial heating outfit speaks highly of the ( rare) Toyota Hiace and its successors. Same company, and some were Chartered Engineers, told me that Transit would bun up,to 100k without major " oh, hell!" bills, but Toy would go to 250k., as indeed would Merc if it hadn't rusted away. To the question Vauxhall above Transit but please read the rest of this. good luck!At the moment the Vauxhall Vivaro is looking like the best bang for my buck but I don't know that much about them.
They seem to be about 10% cheaper than the equivalent Renault Trafic swb and a lot cheaper than the transit of the same condition and mileage and I'm wondering if its for a reason.
What's the best option for the money and anything in particular that I need to watch out for with the Vauxhall or am I better off buying an older transit for the same money?
Looking at an 07/08 reg with under 100k vivaro mainly but I'm open to any ideas.
Cheers.
Edited by Lester H on Sunday 4th September 22:18
Edited by Lester H on Sunday 4th September 22:20
The 130ps had issues. The 85ps isn't enough.
Look for 110ps-125ps for a decent engine.
No major issues with them, timing chain guides can wear. Injector seals sometimes fail. No worse than other vans.
As long as you service them properly, they live on. One guy on the transit forum has just passed 750k miles in his mk7 transit with no major issues.
Look for 110ps-125ps for a decent engine.
No major issues with them, timing chain guides can wear. Injector seals sometimes fail. No worse than other vans.
As long as you service them properly, they live on. One guy on the transit forum has just passed 750k miles in his mk7 transit with no major issues.
Finally found a decent one! 03 mwb medium High top, 2.4 lovely condition for £1500.
After all the rusty and knackered ones I viewed going for a grand more its a relief to find a good one and I've still got a bit of cash left as a bork fund.
Just needs a bit of a clean on the inside and its perfect, the 100 mile trip home was a good run on everything from country lanes to motorway and it ran as sweet as a nut.
Happy days!
After all the rusty and knackered ones I viewed going for a grand more its a relief to find a good one and I've still got a bit of cash left as a bork fund.
Just needs a bit of a clean on the inside and its perfect, the 100 mile trip home was a good run on everything from country lanes to motorway and it ran as sweet as a nut.
Happy days!
Edited by dudleybloke on Saturday 17th September 23:16
We have a fleet of Vivaros at work. Between two and three years old, some just touching over 100,000 miles now. They're a dreadful drive but they seem hardy enough. They go wrong frequently enough but it's mostly small things (window mechanisms fail, suspension wears badly leading to knocks at full lock, bulbs blow for fun). I'd rather have the Ford Connects back as they were just as useful as a SWB Vivaro for daily use but they were a much nicer drive.
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