Finally buying my first van
Discussion
After years of cycling around on my bike i've finally passed my test and looking to buy a second hand van.
Its for my gardening business, so looking at a SWB van that can carry tools and handle a fair bit of garden waste thrown in as well.
Can you suggest a vans and specific models that might be good for me.
Cheers PistonHeads
Its for my gardening business, so looking at a SWB van that can carry tools and handle a fair bit of garden waste thrown in as well.
Can you suggest a vans and specific models that might be good for me.
Cheers PistonHeads
Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Scudo van, about as reliable as a modern diesel gets, 1.6 slow and no more economical than the 2.0, cheap to repair.
VW Transporter is a nice van, but expensive to buy and fix.
Transits are not the van they used to be.
I have a Scudo, basic transportation and serves me well.
VW Transporter is a nice van, but expensive to buy and fix.
Transits are not the van they used to be.
I have a Scudo, basic transportation and serves me well.
I run a landscaping company, have done for 7 years. I have a fleet (now 4 
) of Citreon Berlingo's all with towbars and 8x5 trailers. This gives me the ability of carrying all tools I need whilst keeping all waste (and larger items) separate. Also, even with rhino bar roof racks they all fit conveniently in car parks and local refuge sites as and where required.
I however drive a Navara, or I do at least now but tend to use the vans more unless towing heavy goods.
) of Citreon Berlingo's all with towbars and 8x5 trailers. This gives me the ability of carrying all tools I need whilst keeping all waste (and larger items) separate. Also, even with rhino bar roof racks they all fit conveniently in car parks and local refuge sites as and where required. I however drive a Navara, or I do at least now but tend to use the vans more unless towing heavy goods.
Toyota Hiace.
Doesn't rust, well built and utterly dependable.
My 06 reg went through its MOT in September at 120k with zero advisories. I've covered 30k in 16 months, taking it from 99k to 129k and the only non consumable I've replaced is a differential bush.
Plus, extra PH points for it being RWD.
An equivalent Transit will be mostly iron oxide, as I found when searching.
Vivaros/Trafics/Primastars have gearbox and expensive injector issues.
Doesn't rust, well built and utterly dependable.
My 06 reg went through its MOT in September at 120k with zero advisories. I've covered 30k in 16 months, taking it from 99k to 129k and the only non consumable I've replaced is a differential bush.
Plus, extra PH points for it being RWD.
An equivalent Transit will be mostly iron oxide, as I found when searching.
Vivaros/Trafics/Primastars have gearbox and expensive injector issues.
A well looked after Transit Connect will be ok. I've had 3 in a row, never changed a clutch, replaced an exhaust and driveshaft at 60k miles on the last one, hardly batty money for either.
They drive more like a car than a lot of vans. They're crap on fuel if you drive the way I do, on the plus side, if you thrash it all the time it keeps the egr clean. Avoid the 75ps model, they're tortoise, the 90 is a decent compromise, and they respond well to a remap both in performance and economy, especially when run on decent fuel.
I'd try and get a 07 plate onwards TDCI, that's all I've had and had no real aggro.
They drive more like a car than a lot of vans. They're crap on fuel if you drive the way I do, on the plus side, if you thrash it all the time it keeps the egr clean. Avoid the 75ps model, they're tortoise, the 90 is a decent compromise, and they respond well to a remap both in performance and economy, especially when run on decent fuel.
I'd try and get a 07 plate onwards TDCI, that's all I've had and had no real aggro.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff