Which van based MPV 'lifetsyle' day-van?
Discussion
Long one this one. Been considering this for years but finally think its time to move on from big estate cars loaded with bike racks and roof boxes to get a proper 'day van'.
I've done enough standing freezing and filthy in my pants in Forestry Commision car parks after a muddy bike ride, jealous of all the VW crew to last a lifetime!
Think camping trips, bike races, days at the beach, family holidays etc.
Started out thinking of Ford Connects, Berlingos, Caddy's etc however they might not gain me enough extra practicality than the bigger estate cars but lose an awful lot in kit/refinement/driving enjoyment/power - I'm unsure on these options yet.
Upto 30k then maybe, but its got to be the 'right' thing for that with some longevity. Must be useable as a car - not my only car, but will be the main vehicle in winter when the fun stuff is locked away. I cant afford a brand new 60k VW T7 Multivan otherwise I'd have already had one bought - it looks perfect.
Only need 5 seats, most of the options will be 7, 8 or 9 but the back seats will mainly live in the shed. Must be a proper registered MPV, class 4 MOTs, 'car' insurance, car speed limits etc (Not a white panel van/kombi with a 3 seat bench bolted to the floor) No bulkheads. Full glazing front to rear. Tailgate over barn doors. Never really bothered me before but as a long term prospect it needs to be Euro 6 I think. Auto is massively preferable but wouldnt turn down an otherwise perfect car with a manual. I don't need/ want a camper or any converted or ex wheel-chair adapted cars (which lots of the cheaper examples often are) with bits of chassis and bumper cut out and rows of seats missing.
Not a traditional car based MPV either - Galaxy's, Sharans etc are simply not big or square enough and offer little benefit over an E-class wagon (Bikes in upright , for instance).
Starting with W447 V-Class - I've had a few Mercedes, I like them, know and trust them. Pushing the budget though, and very much on the big side - perhaps too much (like the transit). I really do want practicality but I do have to balance the sensibility of me quite often driving around alone, in a 9 seater car that is a squeeze in Tesco. Very rare as privately owned, not moon-miles ex airport shuttles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...
Merc also do the W447 in Vito Tourer format - halfway between the V-Class and Vito panel van spec. Classed as 'minibus' but certain specs meet the dual purpose vehicle definition. Got to be very careful with the spec though, theres a huge range from quite nicely trimmed and specced through to very, very basic. I'd have to avoid twin/double front pax seats, renault engines and boggo basic specs with ply lined doors. No floor rails like the V Class either. These are quite durable I think, both Merc options will be older than the rest for the budget but can do mega miles however... I dont actually need to do mega miles! 10k a year for 4 years is worst case really for me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...
Secondly - the Stellantis family - Toyota Pro-Ace/Citroen Spacetourer/Peugeot Traveller/Vauxhall Vivaro Life.
On paper these are starting to really appeal - a relatively moder design, fraction smaller, lower and narrower than the others making them supposedly very nice and easy to drive whilst still being a proper square sides van. All Euro 6, and there is a pretty pokey 180 hp diesel with a pretty good 8 speed auto.
Toyota and Peugeot versions seem best specced, I'd get the newest car compared to the other options, love the big sunroofs, opening hatch etc.
Media/infotainment in these Stellantis cars isnt amazing, but at least it has android. Medium or LWB fits the bill, not the odd looking stumpy compact.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...
A Transit Tourneo maybe? Depsite Transits being super common, suitable specs are super rare - SWB, single front pax seats, tailgate, twin sliders, auto... etc
This one looks great though but they are not cheap, and they big - tall and wide, to the point you have to consider access into car parks etc which might start to grate as ones daily driver. Can't get more practical though! Lots are ex-taxi or WAV converted.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
Finally - Volkswagen. Is it just fashion or are these actually the correct choice - they are EVERYWHERE when I'm out on the bike.
Kombi's/crew vans seem to have basic fixed bench seats and hard lined rear doors:
so not really what I'm after. Leaving Caravelle or the Transport Shuttle spec.
I think I need a T6 to get euro 6 really if its gonna be a keeper for a few years, so a Caravelle is going to be higher miles in budget. Transport Shuttle's are a bit cheaper but quite basic and all have the twin front seat I dont want, plastic floors etc.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079...
These are expensive, but are they popular because they are actually the best compromise for my use case?
Are there any obvious things I've missed out? I dont know anything about any of the other, rarer van based options, Renault, Citroen etc, and I dont think the Japanese VIP style imported options are quite the right thing, meant more for 7 people as opposed to 3 or 4 people plus a load of 'stuff'. All a bit old and uneconomical too - fine as a weekend extra toy, but not for a daily use car I think.
I've done enough standing freezing and filthy in my pants in Forestry Commision car parks after a muddy bike ride, jealous of all the VW crew to last a lifetime!
Think camping trips, bike races, days at the beach, family holidays etc.
Started out thinking of Ford Connects, Berlingos, Caddy's etc however they might not gain me enough extra practicality than the bigger estate cars but lose an awful lot in kit/refinement/driving enjoyment/power - I'm unsure on these options yet.
Upto 30k then maybe, but its got to be the 'right' thing for that with some longevity. Must be useable as a car - not my only car, but will be the main vehicle in winter when the fun stuff is locked away. I cant afford a brand new 60k VW T7 Multivan otherwise I'd have already had one bought - it looks perfect.
Only need 5 seats, most of the options will be 7, 8 or 9 but the back seats will mainly live in the shed. Must be a proper registered MPV, class 4 MOTs, 'car' insurance, car speed limits etc (Not a white panel van/kombi with a 3 seat bench bolted to the floor) No bulkheads. Full glazing front to rear. Tailgate over barn doors. Never really bothered me before but as a long term prospect it needs to be Euro 6 I think. Auto is massively preferable but wouldnt turn down an otherwise perfect car with a manual. I don't need/ want a camper or any converted or ex wheel-chair adapted cars (which lots of the cheaper examples often are) with bits of chassis and bumper cut out and rows of seats missing.
Not a traditional car based MPV either - Galaxy's, Sharans etc are simply not big or square enough and offer little benefit over an E-class wagon (Bikes in upright , for instance).
Starting with W447 V-Class - I've had a few Mercedes, I like them, know and trust them. Pushing the budget though, and very much on the big side - perhaps too much (like the transit). I really do want practicality but I do have to balance the sensibility of me quite often driving around alone, in a 9 seater car that is a squeeze in Tesco. Very rare as privately owned, not moon-miles ex airport shuttles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...
Merc also do the W447 in Vito Tourer format - halfway between the V-Class and Vito panel van spec. Classed as 'minibus' but certain specs meet the dual purpose vehicle definition. Got to be very careful with the spec though, theres a huge range from quite nicely trimmed and specced through to very, very basic. I'd have to avoid twin/double front pax seats, renault engines and boggo basic specs with ply lined doors. No floor rails like the V Class either. These are quite durable I think, both Merc options will be older than the rest for the budget but can do mega miles however... I dont actually need to do mega miles! 10k a year for 4 years is worst case really for me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...
Secondly - the Stellantis family - Toyota Pro-Ace/Citroen Spacetourer/Peugeot Traveller/Vauxhall Vivaro Life.
On paper these are starting to really appeal - a relatively moder design, fraction smaller, lower and narrower than the others making them supposedly very nice and easy to drive whilst still being a proper square sides van. All Euro 6, and there is a pretty pokey 180 hp diesel with a pretty good 8 speed auto.
Toyota and Peugeot versions seem best specced, I'd get the newest car compared to the other options, love the big sunroofs, opening hatch etc.
Media/infotainment in these Stellantis cars isnt amazing, but at least it has android. Medium or LWB fits the bill, not the odd looking stumpy compact.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...
A Transit Tourneo maybe? Depsite Transits being super common, suitable specs are super rare - SWB, single front pax seats, tailgate, twin sliders, auto... etc
This one looks great though but they are not cheap, and they big - tall and wide, to the point you have to consider access into car parks etc which might start to grate as ones daily driver. Can't get more practical though! Lots are ex-taxi or WAV converted.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
Finally - Volkswagen. Is it just fashion or are these actually the correct choice - they are EVERYWHERE when I'm out on the bike.
Kombi's/crew vans seem to have basic fixed bench seats and hard lined rear doors:
so not really what I'm after. Leaving Caravelle or the Transport Shuttle spec.
I think I need a T6 to get euro 6 really if its gonna be a keeper for a few years, so a Caravelle is going to be higher miles in budget. Transport Shuttle's are a bit cheaper but quite basic and all have the twin front seat I dont want, plastic floors etc.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079...
These are expensive, but are they popular because they are actually the best compromise for my use case?
Are there any obvious things I've missed out? I dont know anything about any of the other, rarer van based options, Renault, Citroen etc, and I dont think the Japanese VIP style imported options are quite the right thing, meant more for 7 people as opposed to 3 or 4 people plus a load of 'stuff'. All a bit old and uneconomical too - fine as a weekend extra toy, but not for a daily use car I think.
Edited by snotrag on Friday 10th May 14:39
Edited by snotrag on Friday 10th May 14:43
Thanks all, some good info. Coincidentally I was at an MTB event last weekend so spent some time van-spotting!
Done a stack of research this week - concluded that the smaller options, Rifter/Berlingo/Connect are just too small (and generally underpowered too).
I think, realistically, I need to get Euro 6, and I also need to tread carefully around which options are classed or registered as 'MPV' (a car) or Minibus. Transporter Shuttles and other 9 seaterd drop into that category.
The Merc is going to be too expensive unfortunately, and whilst the VW's are cheaper and more abundant, it would have to be a T6 not a T5 and again the drives the price up significantly.
Leaving the Stellantis options - and the more I read, the more it appeals - very well reviewed, much, much, much better value and it seems they are actually quite good too - not just 'cheaper' but fundamentally a good product. The common to everything adblue issue is easily dealt with, other than that there are no real vices.
Should be able to get absolute top spec, 2 litre auto with leather, seats on rails, front and rear climate, android auto and every bit of kit for the same as a much,much higer mileage Euro 5 T5 with a basic panelled interior and bench seats.
i have tried to find a rental firm that has one I could use for a few days but no such luck. Need to get a dealer test drive i think.
Done a stack of research this week - concluded that the smaller options, Rifter/Berlingo/Connect are just too small (and generally underpowered too).
I think, realistically, I need to get Euro 6, and I also need to tread carefully around which options are classed or registered as 'MPV' (a car) or Minibus. Transporter Shuttles and other 9 seaterd drop into that category.
The Merc is going to be too expensive unfortunately, and whilst the VW's are cheaper and more abundant, it would have to be a T6 not a T5 and again the drives the price up significantly.
Leaving the Stellantis options - and the more I read, the more it appeals - very well reviewed, much, much, much better value and it seems they are actually quite good too - not just 'cheaper' but fundamentally a good product. The common to everything adblue issue is easily dealt with, other than that there are no real vices.
Should be able to get absolute top spec, 2 litre auto with leather, seats on rails, front and rear climate, android auto and every bit of kit for the same as a much,much higer mileage Euro 5 T5 with a basic panelled interior and bench seats.
i have tried to find a rental firm that has one I could use for a few days but no such luck. Need to get a dealer test drive i think.
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