Not "Car Buying". Moving from estate to van based MPV?
Discussion
My parents own a really old Sharan and we currently have a Golf estate.
In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
icekay said:
My parents own a really old Sharan and we currently have a Golf estate.
In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
My old V70 estate had 7 seats.In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
icekay said:
My parents own a really old Sharan and we currently have a Golf estate.
In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
Cheers. I don't need 7 seats, but do want luggage space. I mentioned van based MPV or. Kombi as they are good for carrying. In the latter I often forget it's an estate, drives like a car and looks like a car from the driving seat.
Driving the people mover gets me in a completely different mood for better or worse. Suddenly I care less about flooring down a slip road and more about comfortably getting to a destination.
An estate is more economical but can't carry 7 people, as with anything it's down to whether you need the extra space. Just bear in mind that a lot of modern MPVs are barely (if at all) more spacious than an estate!
Once you get a VW Kombi there is no going back.
The space is a game changer if you are planning any days/weekends out and have any kind of outdoor gear.
It’s a place to get changed, they are comfortable enough.
To drive, you can hustle them down a country road with smooth momentum carrying driving however that’s not the point.
The space is a game changer if you are planning any days/weekends out and have any kind of outdoor gear.
It’s a place to get changed, they are comfortable enough.
To drive, you can hustle them down a country road with smooth momentum carrying driving however that’s not the point.
Vans cannot be beaten by anything for practicality, and for long distance travel some are very comfortable. The ability to take everything with you, sleep in it, park it anywhere (most are no larger then a large saloon) etc. is very reassuring. The driving position is excellent, long highway drives can be absolved in perfect comfort. I could not imagine not having some sort of box on wheels in the family.
Dumpy1 said:
I went from a Volvo v70 estate to a Citroen berlingo multispace. The multi space was brilliant. The extra height means you can chuck bikes, cement mixers or anything else you want in with no issues. No mor3 taking the wheels off bikes etc. For versatility they cant be beat.
The new Berlingo seems very clever, especially the higher model with the glass roof and mega storage options.I ability to put in 2 bikes without taking the wheels off really appeal.
Does any estate give the option of 2 bikes wheel attached?
I rented a couple of vans when moving and the driving position was nice, the ford transit was quite fun to drive too.
Rather than channeling my inner hillbilly and getting a Dually, the more practical me was considering getting something like a Mercedes Vito/Viano shed where some or all of the rear seats could be removed for those occasions when car body panels/engines, MDF or plasterboard sheets needed transporting or for dump runs.
Went from a BMW 330i M-Sport touring which I absolutely adored to a VW T5 van (fully converted camper but for arguments sake we'll imagine its a kombi).
Lets get the first bit of bullsh*t out the way that many van owners, especially VW owners (and I'm a massive VW fanboi), will tell you - "it drives like a car". Bullsh*t. It drives like a van unless you've been driving some really big, wallowing, slightly more awkward to park, boomy inside cars. They're vans.
OK, what else. Drive position. I always liked being low to the ground but have been won over by my van. Its brilliant being high up, especially on motorways where you suffer less from spray on wet roads, can spot gaps/hazards easier etc.
Speed. They're not fast off the mark but once moving then they'll happily keep up with your average rep-mobile.
Build. As mentioned, mine is a T5 (GP so facelift on a 61 plate). So pushing 9 years old and there are no issues with he build. Dash plastics etc are definitely more commercial than a car but VW especially seem to cover loads of stuff with that rubbery stuff that marks and lifts. No such problem on a van.
Space. Theres buckets of it. Mines a SWB, full 4 berth camper with pop top and can still fit 4 people in it along with 1 adult bike, 2 kids bikes and tow bar for more. Plus even the simple things are easier - going through a house move at the minute and viewing loads of places. Picked up fish & chips the other night and had loads of room sat in the van eating them around a table vs the sitting with them cramped on our laps with the dog trying to get them we'd have had in a car.
Other stuff - economy is good. Costs about £100 to fill mine up from fumes but I'll easily get pushing 700 miles out of a tank. Ride on a standard one can be pretty poor but its designed to take a load of weight. Can easily swap the springs (H&R and Eibach or a full Bilstein B14 coilover setup for example) to make it more comfortable with just people/bikes etc.
We've not looked back. Longest we've ever owned a vehicle before was less than 3 years and we're coming up to 6 years with the van now.
Lets get the first bit of bullsh*t out the way that many van owners, especially VW owners (and I'm a massive VW fanboi), will tell you - "it drives like a car". Bullsh*t. It drives like a van unless you've been driving some really big, wallowing, slightly more awkward to park, boomy inside cars. They're vans.
OK, what else. Drive position. I always liked being low to the ground but have been won over by my van. Its brilliant being high up, especially on motorways where you suffer less from spray on wet roads, can spot gaps/hazards easier etc.
Speed. They're not fast off the mark but once moving then they'll happily keep up with your average rep-mobile.
Build. As mentioned, mine is a T5 (GP so facelift on a 61 plate). So pushing 9 years old and there are no issues with he build. Dash plastics etc are definitely more commercial than a car but VW especially seem to cover loads of stuff with that rubbery stuff that marks and lifts. No such problem on a van.
Space. Theres buckets of it. Mines a SWB, full 4 berth camper with pop top and can still fit 4 people in it along with 1 adult bike, 2 kids bikes and tow bar for more. Plus even the simple things are easier - going through a house move at the minute and viewing loads of places. Picked up fish & chips the other night and had loads of room sat in the van eating them around a table vs the sitting with them cramped on our laps with the dog trying to get them we'd have had in a car.
Other stuff - economy is good. Costs about £100 to fill mine up from fumes but I'll easily get pushing 700 miles out of a tank. Ride on a standard one can be pretty poor but its designed to take a load of weight. Can easily swap the springs (H&R and Eibach or a full Bilstein B14 coilover setup for example) to make it more comfortable with just people/bikes etc.
We've not looked back. Longest we've ever owned a vehicle before was less than 3 years and we're coming up to 6 years with the van now.
Not quite the same but I’ve recently changed from a insgina grand sport estate to a transit custom (19 plate) for work, mainly so it’s easier for my tools and tax.
However, it’s the best thing I’ve done, somehow despite being about a tonne heavier, the transit Is a much better steer, very direct, great gear change and even with the 130 engine and 2.2 tonnes once it’s up and going it flys ( not relevant I guess when it’s just passengers)
That’s before you mention the spec, mine is a mid range Trend, but has adapative cruise control with the usual front and lane assist and side wind assist, 7 inch touch screen with car play, Heated seats, auto lights and wipers, A/C, and more storage than I know what to do with.
It’s also so refined, more so than the car was, a bit of low down engine noise but what diesel doesn’t, but other than that the cab is silent. The seats are great, loads of cup holders too.
I won’t go back now. Considering the transit is now 6 years old it really is a impressive design, better than traffics and transporters I’ve tried in the past
However, it’s the best thing I’ve done, somehow despite being about a tonne heavier, the transit Is a much better steer, very direct, great gear change and even with the 130 engine and 2.2 tonnes once it’s up and going it flys ( not relevant I guess when it’s just passengers)
That’s before you mention the spec, mine is a mid range Trend, but has adapative cruise control with the usual front and lane assist and side wind assist, 7 inch touch screen with car play, Heated seats, auto lights and wipers, A/C, and more storage than I know what to do with.
It’s also so refined, more so than the car was, a bit of low down engine noise but what diesel doesn’t, but other than that the cab is silent. The seats are great, loads of cup holders too.
I won’t go back now. Considering the transit is now 6 years old it really is a impressive design, better than traffics and transporters I’ve tried in the past
Edited by Nickbrapp on Tuesday 7th July 09:24
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Lets get the first bit of bullsh*t out the way that many van owners, especially VW owners (and I'm a massive VW fanboi), will tell you - "it drives like a car". Bullsh*t. It drives like a van unless you've been driving some really big, wallowing, slightly more awkward to park, boomy inside cars. They're vans.
Agreed 100% - some friends of ours have one that I borrow time-to-time. It drives very well, for a van. But it's nothing like a car.Part of me thinks the "it drives like a car" thing came about because they wanted to convince the Mrs that she could drive it, as a lot of people are intimidated by the idea of driving a van. In fact it's easy as pie thanks to the visibility.
Considered one of these:
3.5l V6 Honda Legend engine.
https://www.japcarfinder.co.uk/used-cars/honda-ely...
or an Elgrand or similar.
3.5l V6 Honda Legend engine.
https://www.japcarfinder.co.uk/used-cars/honda-ely...
or an Elgrand or similar.
Edited by leonardfell on Tuesday 7th July 10:15
DaveyBoyWonder said:
...
Space. Theres buckets of it. Mines a SWB, full 4 berth camper with pop top and can still fit 4 people in it along with 1 adult bike, 2 kids bikes and tow bar for more. Plus even the simple things are easier - going through a house move at the minute and viewing loads of places. Picked up fish & chips the other night and had loads of room sat in the van eating them around a table vs the sitting with them cramped on our laps with the dog trying to get them we'd have had in a car.
...
Nice review. I'd be interested in seeing some photos of the interior.Space. Theres buckets of it. Mines a SWB, full 4 berth camper with pop top and can still fit 4 people in it along with 1 adult bike, 2 kids bikes and tow bar for more. Plus even the simple things are easier - going through a house move at the minute and viewing loads of places. Picked up fish & chips the other night and had loads of room sat in the van eating them around a table vs the sitting with them cramped on our laps with the dog trying to get them we'd have had in a car.
...
If I read it right, it has 4 seats. When you were enjoying your fish and chips did the front rotate around to face the table.
Even without a table the ability to have 4 seats (2+2) facing would be cool (or warm after a long chilly walk in the wilderness).
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