Running a van for private purposes?
Discussion
Been toying with the idea of a van as a daily. The load space would be useful for hobby purposes (R/C aeroplanes), an Astravan or similar would be ideal as I don't need the extra height of more purpose built vans and it has a decent floor space. Also for running/parts costs it's essentially a car and I wouldn't worry about it in car parks - my car regularly sits at work from Monday morning to Friday afternoon.
So what is the downside, I presume they're a little unrefined but apart from that? Is insurance ridiculous or will it be quite reasonable as its not for business use/only two people etc.
Anyone done something similar, any comments appreciated.
So what is the downside, I presume they're a little unrefined but apart from that? Is insurance ridiculous or will it be quite reasonable as its not for business use/only two people etc.
Anyone done something similar, any comments appreciated.
I've just done a quick quote on confused.com while awaiting replies for a van as a second vehicle - £200 or thereabouts. I'd still have my car for pleasure use, the van would just be a workhorse. I figure (man-maths possibly?) that the fuel savings from running a V8 as a daily would easily cover insurance/tax on a second vehicle.
The other issue is cost of the van itself, plenty around for as little as £1000 but are they on their last legs? I assume most small businesses don't trade up for vanity (geddit?) reasons, but rather that they'd fed?
The other issue is cost of the van itself, plenty around for as little as £1000 but are they on their last legs? I assume most small businesses don't trade up for vanity (geddit?) reasons, but rather that they'd fed?
Resale isn't a big issue, I'm looking for something I can run into the ground and throw away when the time comes. An ordinary estate would probably do, no need for blacked out windows - not planning to keep anything in it. Similarly I'd be after a van with clear rear glazing so would be easy to see that it's empty.
I guess this kind of answers a lot of my questions - no real advantage to a small van over a medium sized estate, at least not for this sort of use.
Cheers.
I guess this kind of answers a lot of my questions - no real advantage to a small van over a medium sized estate, at least not for this sort of use.
Cheers.
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