What van suggestions?
Discussion
Hi All,
I would like to know about small vans. secondhand is my price range, upto perhaps 3 grand or so
Something like a berlingo/partner/caddy kind of size.
I have no experiences with vans but the idea is i would get one to throw the tent in the back and go away.
Personal experience welcome, and also maintenance. Do they have DMF etc? as i know if this stuff goes wrong its costly.
I would like to know about small vans. secondhand is my price range, upto perhaps 3 grand or so
Something like a berlingo/partner/caddy kind of size.
I have no experiences with vans but the idea is i would get one to throw the tent in the back and go away.
Personal experience welcome, and also maintenance. Do they have DMF etc? as i know if this stuff goes wrong its costly.
Of all the small vans I've tried, the Connect remains the best. Strong and reliable little things that have a useful load space and are pleasant enough to do long distances in. You won't see much more than 90mph on any given day.
However, when you say you're going camping, will a tent and sleeping bag not fit in your car boot?
However, when you say you're going camping, will a tent and sleeping bag not fit in your car boot?
Hi, I've only got a small car really, the tent is enough for a few people with all the rubbish to go camping for three weeks, I just wanted some more space to put dogs and lots of crap in there without the need to then go for roof box or look at trailer options. Or swap for an estate and tbh I like the sound of a van. I could kidnap people. (Joking of course)
I figured perhaps getting a van as either a daily runner or just for holidays and weekends away would be a fair shout.
I read that duel mass flyweels are bad, and cause a lot of problems so I'm keen to avoid vans with these.
I'm not so bothered about speed really,
There arnt many roads in Wales where we go camping a lot, that you'd wanna go doing 90 on, not without going off a cliff haha.
I figured perhaps getting a van as either a daily runner or just for holidays and weekends away would be a fair shout.
I read that duel mass flyweels are bad, and cause a lot of problems so I'm keen to avoid vans with these.
I'm not so bothered about speed really,
There arnt many roads in Wales where we go camping a lot, that you'd wanna go doing 90 on, not without going off a cliff haha.
Look carefully at insurance - in the past, vans were cheap to insure, they aren't now, with all the break-ins. Insurance Companies don't differentiate between private and trade use. There are exceptions, but it's worth a Confused.MoneySupermarket trawl.
Also be aware that most vans (including Partner, Berlingo & Caddy) have a blanket speed limit of 50mph on a de-restricted single carriageway. Obviously, most vans are driven in excess of this, but you need to be aware of this - North Wales aren't known for their leniency to speeding!
Vans also have a different taxation class now, so it can be quite a difference in cost compared to it's normal car cousins.
Probably at a price point, the Caddy will be rougher than the Citroen or Peugeot, and they are not as common.
The "Enterprise" versions of the Berlingo had 2 litre diesel engines - in the wet, these will wheelspin all the way through to third gear. Without moving!
At that price point, I'd be looking at Astra/Focus or even Mondane-o
Also be aware that most vans (including Partner, Berlingo & Caddy) have a blanket speed limit of 50mph on a de-restricted single carriageway. Obviously, most vans are driven in excess of this, but you need to be aware of this - North Wales aren't known for their leniency to speeding!
Vans also have a different taxation class now, so it can be quite a difference in cost compared to it's normal car cousins.
Probably at a price point, the Caddy will be rougher than the Citroen or Peugeot, and they are not as common.
The "Enterprise" versions of the Berlingo had 2 litre diesel engines - in the wet, these will wheelspin all the way through to third gear. Without moving!
At that price point, I'd be looking at Astra/Focus or even Mondane-o
Another for the Connect here. I'm on my third, one of each, engine wise. I bought a 59 plate facelift 30k mile LWB 110 Ltd a couple of years ago, that year chosen deliberately to just miss the introduction of the DPF model, and it's been fine, as were the previous two generally.
My first one ( 75ps 08 plate ) was faultless from new to 30k miles, not even a bulb. SWB though, and too small really.
Second one was bought at 29k miles, 57 plate 90ps LWB, needed a driveshaft at 55k and an exhaust middle and rear section. Sold at 60k.
The current one has also had the same section of exhaust replaced at 40k, so it's obviously a fairly low quality part from new, but it's not expensive or hard to replace. Also required a new drivers door central locking solenoid last year, £30 used off ebay.
Best advice with them is to run them on decent fuel, change the oil and filter between scheduled services, and thrash them to keep the EGR clean. They stay reliable engine wise doing this. Biggest issue for most owners is that they're crap on fuel, whichever output you buy, but they drive like a car, and the higher spec one is a nice enough place to spend a long time in. The LWB is big inside if you take the bulkhead out. Takes a sheet of 8x4 ply. Dunno about struggling to only see the 90 mph someone mentioned earlier, my latest one managed nearly 120 indicated one dark and quiet night, slight downhill assistance to be fair though! It feels fast enough generally.
My first one ( 75ps 08 plate ) was faultless from new to 30k miles, not even a bulb. SWB though, and too small really.
Second one was bought at 29k miles, 57 plate 90ps LWB, needed a driveshaft at 55k and an exhaust middle and rear section. Sold at 60k.
The current one has also had the same section of exhaust replaced at 40k, so it's obviously a fairly low quality part from new, but it's not expensive or hard to replace. Also required a new drivers door central locking solenoid last year, £30 used off ebay.
Best advice with them is to run them on decent fuel, change the oil and filter between scheduled services, and thrash them to keep the EGR clean. They stay reliable engine wise doing this. Biggest issue for most owners is that they're crap on fuel, whichever output you buy, but they drive like a car, and the higher spec one is a nice enough place to spend a long time in. The LWB is big inside if you take the bulkhead out. Takes a sheet of 8x4 ply. Dunno about struggling to only see the 90 mph someone mentioned earlier, my latest one managed nearly 120 indicated one dark and quiet night, slight downhill assistance to be fair though! It feels fast enough generally.
Thanks guys. Will take into consideration.
I don't plan to go over 70 hahaha..
Just for throwing a tent in the back, the dogs and stuff, buggering off for the wkend as the daily isn't big enough.
Brilliant thanks.
Will be looking at second hand no earlier then a 60 plate for costs obviously
I don't plan to go over 70 hahaha..
Just for throwing a tent in the back, the dogs and stuff, buggering off for the wkend as the daily isn't big enough.
Brilliant thanks.
Will be looking at second hand no earlier then a 60 plate for costs obviously
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