£5,000 Van...decisions decisions..

[Hudson1984]

Hi all,

so i've had my fun with the focus ST, it's been a great toy, and a great way to spend much more money on things than I really needed to.... (made the mistake of going to a garage and saying, do everything it needs!!!)

but, having had my fun I think it's time to move on from the focus and get something more in line with what I actually use a vehicle for.

In the last 4 months (excluding any lockdown restrictions) all i've used it for is:
couple of ten minute trips to the shop.
3 hour round trip to the office
several dump runs

Everything else we've used our XC60.

I really want something better for dump runs and trips to B&Q, we really enjoy walking, so having something that can take me, the wife, kids, dog, various related crap to the beach or to the forest etc would be great. I mean the XC is comfortable but with the dog cage in the boot you're left with no room.

We recently went on a bit of a hike (by recent, I mean in between lockdowns) which was great, but all came back to the car, cold and really, wanting some room inside to take wet jackets off and change the boys nappy.

So i'm back in van mode. I'd really like a T4 caravelle, but don't think the budget will go that far. Equally they all seem to have been driven round the world a few times lol!

But open to other suggestions.

I really want two seats up front (i.e. no bench)
Only really need 3 seats behind.

But with the caravelle, there's loads of windows which make it a bit nicer inside. We don't camp and don't really plan to but we do go walking loads so really it's a day van without cooking and sleeping facilities! Don't want to kip in there or cook. Just a comfortable hike van.

Also, if anyone wants a Focus ST I know a lovely one for sale

[andburg]

usual suspects:
T4 - £4k should get a solid van that hasn't done moon miles, there are a lot of silly prices out there but try actual owners groups.
Mazda Bongo / Ford Freda - plentiful and as you dont want a pop top, you're £1500 lower than the average but rust will likely be an issue and the 2.5tdi might average high 20's mpg.
Nissan Elgrand - general more solid than the bongo, likely a 3.2 diesel so thirsty but bombproof
Hyundai i800 - big but seating not very flexible but might not an issue. will need a bit of a haggle and likely an ex taxi.
Nissan NV200 - smaller than you would think but cheap to run

For your money, I'd look at an S-Max with all the toys and remove the rear seats completely.

If you go van based then worth considering, £400 gets you a diesel powered chinese webasto type heater and they're brilliant, get back to the van turn it on and you have heating without the engine running.

[bern]

Traffic, Vivaro, Primastar crew cab?

Might not be as sexy as a VW but fully galvanized, loads of parts availability and stuff to modify them. Even the battered and abused builder’s ones just keep going. They are great vans.

You'd get a great one for £5k.

[MorganP104]

Have you considered the VW Caddy Maxi?

They come in a variety of configurations (full panel van, all the way through to day van or 7-seater, with removable rear seats), so you should be able to find one to suit you.

There are LOTS of ex-British Gas Caddys for sale - they are easy to spot, thanks to the bright blue paint.

£5k should get you a fairly nice Caddy Maxi, I'd suggest.

[Challo]

We have been thinking about the same as you. We get a company car through the missus, but dont fancy having to stick wet / muddy dogs in the boot all the time. Have a look at the Japanese Minivans as an option as well. Come in 7-8 seat variants, but are normally petrol and good specs.

Honda Stepwagon / Elysion
Nissan Serna / El Grand
Toyota Noah / Alphard

Should get something under £5k imported already, but a few people have gone to via an agent and imported directly from Japan.

Edited by Challo on Monday 11th January 15:06

[nunpuncher]

Doesn't the XC60 do what you need?

Every man and his dog has decided they want a van during lockdown so the prices have shot up. Everything I looked at was an absolute turd with moon miles on it or one winter away from the scrap heap due to rust. When I did a bit of research they had repeat engine flaws (VW diesel injectors) or Incurable engine issues (1.6 HDI that's in everything).

Unless you really need a van because you want to sleep in it (a terrible experience) or transport a surfboard/dirtbike etc then I'd just get a big car. That's what I did.

[Hudson1984]

Ah I’m in no panic to rush out and get one and won’t be able to sell mine before lockdown ends anyway so hopefully the prices go back to normal.

Na the xc is great best car I’ve had but it’s just not up to the level of crap we take with us. The boot takes the dog cage and the buggy. And that’s it no bags, no room for muddy boots after a walk, nothing.

Just doesn’t work for day trips. We’d never sleep in the van, we prefer staying at cottages if we go to the peaks for example. But for general use, a car just won’t do any more than the xc does. I mean I had a large insignia estate - still just a different layout of the xc without offering any more. Nope think it’s got to be a van

[A500leroy]

Partner teepe /Berlingo

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I have a van - T5 fully converted 4 berth camper with pop top etc. Its brilliant for what you describe, absolutely brilliant. But with my wife having a medical condition I can't see us keeping it for too much longer but when/if we change it I'd be seriously tempted to get another van albeit with a kombi setup so 2 rows of seats that can seat 5/6 easily and then loads of room in the back for bikes etc.

We came out of an estate to get the van and the van works for what you describe OP far, far better than an estate would/did.

[ZX10R NIN]

OP I'd say take a look at the Galaxy there's a lot of space if you're not using the third row:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101027...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

S Max

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296...

If you want bigger then the i800 is a good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012096...

2.5 Nissan Elgrand

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012016...

3.5

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Nissan-Elgrand-NIS...

2.4 Toyota Alphard

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Toyota-Alphard-MPV...

Hybrid

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fresh-Import-Toyota-Alp...

[Hudson1984]

I do see the alphard variations pop up whenever people suggest this type of thing. And I’m sure they’re the good choice the only issue is I really don’t like them lol.

I think it needs to be something like a t5, caravelle hell even a transit tourneo could be pretty cool