Van dilemma - needs to be an auto ....
Discussion
Gents
Due to a battered left knee I now drive autos, I can manage sporty manual cars where the you're not in a van like armchair position but manual vans screw me ..... so what are my options ? Anyone got any experience ?
Ideally able to move 2 sports bikes to trackdays etc, reasonably refined and 10k or under ...... needs to be a decent drive and not agricultural ....
Dibs
Due to a battered left knee I now drive autos, I can manage sporty manual cars where the you're not in a van like armchair position but manual vans screw me ..... so what are my options ? Anyone got any experience ?
Ideally able to move 2 sports bikes to trackdays etc, reasonably refined and 10k or under ...... needs to be a decent drive and not agricultural ....
Dibs
Pretty much any van will have an auto option model, but it’ll be the top end model amd therefore thirsty, but powerful.
Vito and VW would be my choice, but for £10k you might have limited choice. Don’t forget nearly all van prices are quoted +VAT, so you’re looking for ones advertised at £8250.
Vito and VW would be my choice, but for £10k you might have limited choice. Don’t forget nearly all van prices are quoted +VAT, so you’re looking for ones advertised at £8250.
You might have more choice if you look for a minibus type van with removable seats. Something like a VW Caravelle? I'm looking at replacing my VW T5 van with one. Most have tinted windows so, while not quite as secure as a van, the bikes aren't easily visible.
As Gavia says, you maybe looking at bigger and less economical engines but there will be ones with the smaller engines, you just have to be more patient and search abit harder. The other advantage of something like a Caravelle is that the equipment will be much better than a builders bog standard van. A/C or even climate control, heated seats etc.
As Gavia says, you maybe looking at bigger and less economical engines but there will be ones with the smaller engines, you just have to be more patient and search abit harder. The other advantage of something like a Caravelle is that the equipment will be much better than a builders bog standard van. A/C or even climate control, heated seats etc.
DUCATO! L3H2 model or shorter if space a premium.
So much more van for your buck, Iveco engines, no rust issues like the Sprinter / crafter. A T5 or similar is nice, but for £10k you will get a leggy mess.
For £10k you'd get a minter low miles Ducato 2013/14 with aircon, cruise, sat nav, yada yadda. Some even have night heaters at that money.
And they drive brilliantly, they are really good anyway, and brilliant for the money. Autos rarer but available.
Also consider the Iveco big f
koff van, (cant recall its name). They do a 180hp 8 speed auto from late 2015 on i think, and that powertrain is the dogs doo dahs.
So much more van for your buck, Iveco engines, no rust issues like the Sprinter / crafter. A T5 or similar is nice, but for £10k you will get a leggy mess.
For £10k you'd get a minter low miles Ducato 2013/14 with aircon, cruise, sat nav, yada yadda. Some even have night heaters at that money.
And they drive brilliantly, they are really good anyway, and brilliant for the money. Autos rarer but available.
Also consider the Iveco big f
koff van, (cant recall its name). They do a 180hp 8 speed auto from late 2015 on i think, and that powertrain is the dogs doo dahs. 
poo at Paul's said:
DUCATO! L3H2 model or shorter if space a premium.
So much more van for your buck, Iveco engines, no rust issues like the Sprinter / crafter. A T5 or similar is nice, but for £10k you will get a leggy mess.
For £10k you'd get a minter low miles Ducato 2013/14 with aircon, cruise, sat nav, yada yadda. Some even have night heaters at that money.
And they drive brilliantly, they are really good anyway, and brilliant for the money. Autos rarer but available.
Also consider the Iveco big fkoff van, (cant recall its name). They do a 180hp 8 speed auto from late 2015 on i think, and that powertrain is the dogs doo dahs.
Are they the Iveco engine in the Fiat? Didn't know that. Have a L3H2 Relay with the 2.2 140bhp (might be 130) engine that thats from the transit but its on a manual box and shifts rather well. Would say though that the L3H2 is a sizable van, L2H2 is probably a decent compromise! So much more van for your buck, Iveco engines, no rust issues like the Sprinter / crafter. A T5 or similar is nice, but for £10k you will get a leggy mess.
For £10k you'd get a minter low miles Ducato 2013/14 with aircon, cruise, sat nav, yada yadda. Some even have night heaters at that money.
And they drive brilliantly, they are really good anyway, and brilliant for the money. Autos rarer but available.
Also consider the Iveco big f
koff van, (cant recall its name). They do a 180hp 8 speed auto from late 2015 on i think, and that powertrain is the dogs doo dahs. You thinking of the Iveco Daily by any chance?
Yes the Daily. It's a great Power plant.
The L3H2 is a real good size in the back, and they are 6ft wide too all the way up!
One thing to note is they are a proper LWB, ie the actual WB is longer than some alternatives. The bed is the same sort of length, but the wheel wells are a bit nearer the rear.
The L3H2 is a real good size in the back, and they are 6ft wide too all the way up!
One thing to note is they are a proper LWB, ie the actual WB is longer than some alternatives. The bed is the same sort of length, but the wheel wells are a bit nearer the rear.
dibblecorse said:
Due to a battered left knee I now drive autos, I can manage sporty manual cars where the you're not in a van like armchair position but manual vans screw me ..... so what are my options ? Anyone got any experience ?
I feel your pain! I used to be in the building trade driving 15k miles a year but the job itself was physically ruining all my joints Had a big op on my left knee and it doesn't bother me in normal life but truly aweful doing the job or bent at 90' driving a manual van.I now sell vans (Mercs, VW and Fords) amongst other things into a specialised industry and do about 6k mile per bloomin month in them!
From my trade days I have fond memories of the Citroen Relay (aka Fiat Ducato & Peugeot Boxer) and they are big (even the L1H1) cheap, friendly builder's vans. Engines are good, bodywork is galvanised prior to painting but all the fixtures, trim & fittings will gradually fall off. Quite rare in auto format I think. £10k will get you a mint one.
From my current life the Transit is sort of okay. The VW T5 / T6 is nicer but massively overpriced compared to the Mercedes relying on it's cool surf bus image and this is reflected in their secondhand value. £10k will get you someone else's old laundry.
Merc Vito is the way to go I would suggest. Lovely to drive, comfy, bomb proof mechanicals and since they started galv dipping them in the mid noughties much better on bodywork. Dualiner model maybe if you wanted some glass in it. They used to do a funky V6 one as well! £10k should get you something good.
moto_traxport said:
I feel your pain! I used to be in the building trade driving 15k miles a year but the job itself was physically ruining all my joints Had a big op on my left knee and it doesn't bother me in normal life but truly aweful doing the job or bent at 90' driving a manual van.
I now sell vans (Mercs, VW and Fords) amongst other things into a specialised industry and do about 6k mile per bloomin month in them!
From my trade days I have fond memories of the Citroen Relay (aka Fiat Ducato & Peugeot Boxer) and they are big (even the L1H1) cheap, friendly builder's vans. Engines are good, bodywork is galvanised prior to painting but all the fixtures, trim & fittings will gradually fall off. Quite rare in auto format I think. £10k will get you a mint one.
From my current life the Transit is sort of okay. The VW T5 / T6 is nicer but massively overpriced compared to the Mercedes relying on it's cool surf bus image and this is reflected in their secondhand value. £10k will get you someone else's old laundry.
Merc Vito is the way to go I would suggest. Lovely to drive, comfy, bomb proof mechanicals and since they started galv dipping them in the mid noughties much better on bodywork. Dualiner model maybe if you wanted some glass in it. They used to do a funky V6 one as well! £10k should get you something good.
I read that in Mike Brewers voice even though I know you don't talk like that.I now sell vans (Mercs, VW and Fords) amongst other things into a specialised industry and do about 6k mile per bloomin month in them!
From my trade days I have fond memories of the Citroen Relay (aka Fiat Ducato & Peugeot Boxer) and they are big (even the L1H1) cheap, friendly builder's vans. Engines are good, bodywork is galvanised prior to painting but all the fixtures, trim & fittings will gradually fall off. Quite rare in auto format I think. £10k will get you a mint one.
From my current life the Transit is sort of okay. The VW T5 / T6 is nicer but massively overpriced compared to the Mercedes relying on it's cool surf bus image and this is reflected in their secondhand value. £10k will get you someone else's old laundry.
Merc Vito is the way to go I would suggest. Lovely to drive, comfy, bomb proof mechanicals and since they started galv dipping them in the mid noughties much better on bodywork. Dualiner model maybe if you wanted some glass in it. They used to do a funky V6 one as well! £10k should get you something good.
I have a T5 sportline, 180bhp, DSG auto. It's FANTASTIC. I just wish it was a little bigger. I fancy a lwb sprinter so I can carry 4 bikes, but I'd need a runabout for work. The sportline is the Perfect do it all everyday van. If you can stretch to 17K I have a 62 plate, 65K miler for sale.
mckeann said:
I have a T5 sportline, 180bhp, DSG auto. It's FANTASTIC. I just wish it was a little bigger. I fancy a lwb sprinter so I can carry 4 bikes, but I'd need a runabout for work. The sportline is the Perfect do it all everyday van. If you can stretch to 17K I have a 62 plate, 65K miler for sale.
Even plus VAT, that's cheap, I'd say. LWB Sprinter is a whole other level though isnt it. My mate swears by them as they will fit his fleet of 7 KTM enduros plus kit and then some and will still happily sit at 85mph on the motorway, we drove one of them to the Assen GP one year. Reliable as hell but just fookin massive at times when you don't need it.
308mate said:
Even plus VAT, that's cheap, I'd say.
LWB Sprinter is a whole other level though isnt it. My mate swears by them as they will fit his fleet of 7 KTM enduros plus kit and then some and will still happily sit at 85mph on the motorway, we drove one of them to the Assen GP one year. Reliable as hell but just fookin massive at times when you don't need it.
Mine includes Vat. I paid the vat on it when I bought It. LWB Sprinter is a whole other level though isnt it. My mate swears by them as they will fit his fleet of 7 KTM enduros plus kit and then some and will still happily sit at 85mph on the motorway, we drove one of them to the Assen GP one year. Reliable as hell but just fookin massive at times when you don't need it.
You're spot on about the lwb sprinter. Would be an absolute pain in the arse for day to day stuff, but I could have a false floor and a bed above the bikes
Edited by mckeann on Thursday 21st December 18:48
308mate said:
Even plus VAT, that's cheap, I'd say.
LWB Sprinter is a whole other level though isnt it. My mate swears by them as they will fit his fleet of 7 KTM enduros plus kit and then some and will still happily sit at 85mph on the motorway, we drove one of them to the Assen GP one year. Reliable as hell but just fookin massive at times when you don't need it.
I know McKeans van its a good One, all the options ticked when ordered.LWB Sprinter is a whole other level though isnt it. My mate swears by them as they will fit his fleet of 7 KTM enduros plus kit and then some and will still happily sit at 85mph on the motorway, we drove one of them to the Assen GP one year. Reliable as hell but just fookin massive at times when you don't need it.
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