5K Budget- Van?

[dan00T]

Struggling to find reviews of vans anywhere! Considered getting rid of the car to fund a van for biking, camping and fishing!

Any advice on small vans under 5K?
Considering reliability economy and comfort
TIA

[mbwoy84]

Personally I’d recommend a Caddy 2.0SDI. Pretty bulletproof and a nice place to sit. Sure it’s not going to win any races, but most of the smaller engined turbocharged diesel vans seem to be riddled with faults these days.

[dan00T]

Thanks for the advice, It's appreciated. Vans are not something I've owned before!

[SpamDisco]

https://www.whatvan.co.uk/ has some older reviews.

I've had a few different company vans over last 10 years, they've become more car (MPV) like to drive.

I have the Caddy or Transit connect, if I was spending my own money, but partner/berlingo and doblo/Vx Combos were ok to drive.
Not sure about running costs when older though.

[JJ55]

I think you can get older van reviews on Parker’s.

I ran a Berlingo van for a few years & it was pretty much trouble free. Not exciting to drive (not many vans are) but enough grunt & nice gearbox. It had a comfy ride. You will possibly get more for your money with one of these at your price point. 2 friends ran caddy’s, one had a lot of trouble with theirs, seriously big bills. The others been ok but starting to play up now with diesel related issues at 70k miles.

When I was in the market the caddy’s were a fair bit more than rivals to get the extras like air con. The load space was also smaller than the berlingos.

[poppopbangbang]

Caddy all the way, I've got one and I love it.

You'll get a decent high mileage face lift one for £5K, either of the 1.6 versions are fine and the lower power variant maps to the same as the higher power variant (as they're identical engines bar software). TDI140 2.0 versions are rare and generally not around at less than 5K unless they are sheds but are fantastic and go to 185bhp+ with only a map, they also have larger brakes amongst a few other things.

There are a few pre facelift ones about too, the TDI is the sensible option as the SDI is dog slow and values aren't much different.

[mercedeslimos]

Having used lots of different kinds through work I think the Caddy feels most like a car - It's a Golf with leaf springs on the back. The Transit Connect is fine but feels most van-like of the lot, and the 1.8 TDCi engine is the most expensive to do timing belts on (it has 2), and the injectors frequently fail. The Combo isn't the worst, work currently run a 2005 and 2006 with the 1.3 engine and it's not the worst in the world to go, combined with 50mpg. The Kangoo is OK but quite small inside, the 1.5 dCi is reliable and as old as the hills and not the quickest. Berlingo/Partner 1.6HDi is a decent steer but I feel that it ages very quickly, and feels worn out faster than the others. The advantage is it's going to be the cheapest as newer ones depreciate very fast, you find 3-year-old ones for the same price as a 5-6-year-old Caddy.

The Caddy has to be TDI, 1.9/2.0/1.6 all have their merits. 1.9 older and can take more abuse. 1.6 good on juice with a few faults with injectors/EGR valve-cooler assy, and 2.0 better (faster, etc) but more expensive to run.

[journeymanpro]

caddy sdi will make you want to cry with its lack of performance, also no where near bulletproof.

[A500leroy]

Dare i say, they are a bit old now but if you find a nice Suzuki Carry you wont go far wrong (watch bodywork)

[ZX10R NIN]

Now have you thought about an MPV blackout the rear windows & you have a versatile motor that's more likely to have been more looked after.

Mid size MPV's

Grand C Max Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Mazda5 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Venture Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Zafira Tourer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

VW Touran

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Full Size:

Galaxy Ghia/Titanium/Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Deep Thought]

Berlingos always seem popular. I've had several in the past.

Lots of choice, not expensive.

Caddy will be more expensive. I'd personally go for the 2.0TDI variant.

With a £5K budget i'd probably go Berlingo TBH.

[Deep Thought]

dan00T said:

Struggling to find reviews of vans anywhere! Considered getting rid of the car to fund a van for biking, camping and fishing!

Any advice on small vans under 5K?
Considering reliability economy and comfort
TIA

Re-reading your requirements and ZX10R's response, i think i'd probably go for MPV type vehicle. You dont really need a van - just keep the seats down / removed in the back for the extra space.

[anonymous-user]

Combo/doblo 1.3 cdti is probably the worst van i've ever had the pleasure of driving for 4 years, absolutely terrible...

Caddy is the best shout, but do your homework, otherwise a partner 2.0 hdi is a decent steer (van wise)

[clockworks]

Old post, so probably sorted by now, but I wouldn't buy a van unless it was essential for business taxation reasons.

I was considering a small van for business use, but decided against it and bought a small car instead. Vans seemed to cost more to buy and insure, and there was no tax advantage to me as I claim per mile rather than using capital allowance (or whatever it's called).

For carrying bikes and other relatively large stuff, I'd look at an MPV type car. Much better choice of vehicles, so should work out cheaper to buy and run.

[AlwynMike]

clockworks said:

Old post, so probably sorted by now, but I wouldn't buy a van unless it was essential for business taxation reasons.

I was considering a small van for business use, but decided against it and bought a small car instead. Vans seemed to cost more to buy and insure, and there was no tax advantage to me as I claim per mile rather than using capital allowance (or whatever it's called).

For carrying bikes and other relatively large stuff, I'd look at an MPV type car. Much better choice of vehicles, so should work out cheaper to buy and run.

Agreed
Vans aren't as cheap a runabout as they used to be.
Dearer to insure than equivalent car.
Commercial vehicle tax can be much more expensive than the equivalent car.
And then there's van speed limits to consider. ..

If you need the space for (motor) bikes look at the "Life" versions or similar where they have 4 or 5 seats. These are tax class M1 and are mpv's so no lower speed limit, better tax and insurance.

I run a Caddy Life and a Doblo 1.9 Multijet
The Dobby is faster and much more economical.
The Caddy is quieter, more car like and handles better. Better build quality too, Unsurprisingly.