£20k+VAT 5 seater commercial vehicle?

[jellypig]

So.. am thinking of chopping in my Navara for something else.

I do genuinely need a "van" some of the time, for example, right now there are 6 sizeable drums of cable in the back and earlier in thr week I was towing a cherry picker. But... its also my "daily driver" and I like my toys and comforts. (Right now, I have aircon, leather, electric everything yadda yadda, and I know it'd probbaly more cost effective to buy a little van, and a weekend smoker, but I spend most of my motoring time at work - so I want that one to have the toys and I know that costs more.)


I'd have another Navara - but it'd kind of only be plate vanity. Swapping "55" and a ball of money for a "12" (I think the first facelift was at "13" - but thats not much more than a radio I think) - but as mine's only done 60k miles, chances any replacement would have more miles and have lived a harder life than my "MD's van"
("changing" is only really in the frame because its a 55 - and if not now, but soon, that might create some negative customer perceptions...)

So... in the frame is a Brabus Vito - I'd only get a 204hp for that money, but... heh... its a 204hp van..
I drove a 120 once, and that was quite nice, though reviews I've read talk about an obtrusive TCS system??

Another twin cab pickup would be in the frame too... but I've only driven my Nav.

The impression I get of VW transporters is "narrow" - and hence not ideal.. especially not in 5seater mode with 3 teenagers having turf wars on the back seat.

I only do 8000miles per annum, mostly in town, the odd A-road/Dual carriageway blast - oh, thats important, if it needs to be light enough to allow me to do 70 on the A1 (ie car speeds not van speeds) but fuel economy isnt really important - not like a high miler would need anyway. (Navara's long average is 27mpg, much better than the V70R at 14 that it replaced)

Must haves are:
Aircon.
Leather
Cruise Control
Auto
Qualifies as a Commercial Vehicle with "them".
Hard top if its a Pickup.

Nice to haves are :
Built in SatNav (dont use it for "there" , but do for "back" so I can answer "how long you gonna be?" when someone phones)
Loads more electrical toys.
Telly's and stuff in the back.
Very very blacked out windows (hate not having a "boot" to leave a laptop bag in)


Any other suggestions please?

(Or convince me that if 6000 of those 8000 are business, I can get something cool personally and charge the business so much a mile - gut feel this doesnt work, but heh, convince me)

[okie592]

transporters will seat 3 on the back in comfort, we have 1 in work which carries us and kit no probs, its got xenons etc

how about a amarok?

[folos]

Buy a 5-6 character dateless number plate - e.g 123 ABC to disguise the age of your vehicle and make you look 'richer'?

If the 55 plate is a problem but not the vehicle itself?

[B17NNS]

My buddy's got an Amarok and it's a lovely thing. Were it me I'd be trying a Vito Sport-X and a Transporter Sportline.

[jellypig]

B17NNS said:

My buddy's got an Amarok and it's a lovely thing. Were it me I'd be trying a Vito Sport-X and a Transporter Sportline.

I cant find it now, I might have been imagining it, but I think I read somewhere that some of the Amaroks are too heavy for 70 on dual carriageways. I know its a minefield. Am still not 100% sure what speed I can drive my Navara - its complicated! And its not that I am a speed merchant, just 80miles up to mums's at 60 would suck for the sake a few kilos over weight.

But I'd definately read that they were a nice choice.

I feel the need to try each of those 3.


Sticking a plate on is an option I agree. But, heh, why not explore options first.

[mini95]

What about a Transit Custom dual cab? I think they look smart, they have twin sliding doors with a fixed row of 3 rear seats, a full bulkhead and tinted windows in the sliding doors. You can spec it with alloys, nav, aircon etc etc.