Living with Pick Up/Van as a Daily
Discussion
My current lease deal is up in September for my daily Eurobox company car (330d Estate) now after the latest round of raping...ahem..I mean tax hikes and the current trend of hatred for all diesel cars I am seriously considering going down the commercial route. To this end I have test driven a Nissan Navara Tekna Double Cab Auto and also a Ford Transit Custom Sport DCIV.
I've got to admit I was pleasantly surprised at equipment levels, wasn't bothered about the handling properties of a brick and obviously the practicality side is great.
What I would like to know is peoples experience of using them as a daily mode of transport? In my case 30k PA of mostly motorway mileage. Also, Van or Pick Up?
Thanking you in anticipation.
I've got to admit I was pleasantly surprised at equipment levels, wasn't bothered about the handling properties of a brick and obviously the practicality side is great.
What I would like to know is peoples experience of using them as a daily mode of transport? In my case 30k PA of mostly motorway mileage. Also, Van or Pick Up?
Thanking you in anticipation.
I had a Navarra for a couple of years, drove like a car on the road other than been unwieldy on the corners.... and parking at Tesco is a mare.... many city centre car parks are, ahem, interesting too, although just awkward, not impossible. Fuel is the biggest killer. Navarra was 18k service intervals and dealer dependant can be cheap.
Tyres were not cheap, although at the time, only one type available for the oddball size, is more choice now.
I found it comfy on long journeys.
Edit to add, the transit custom I had from previous employer, couldn’t quite get the right driving position, right knee always hurt... I had spoke to others who said the same. Maybe a result of less movement due to bulkhead and the cheap seats.... but worth an extended drive in the exact model you want to be sure.
It drove really well to be honest, just noisy really... higher specs maybe better of course. Believe that some drivers at old work had real issues with the adblue on Transits.... not sure if that is due to running below minimum or teething issues.
Tyres were not cheap, although at the time, only one type available for the oddball size, is more choice now.
I found it comfy on long journeys.
Edit to add, the transit custom I had from previous employer, couldn’t quite get the right driving position, right knee always hurt... I had spoke to others who said the same. Maybe a result of less movement due to bulkhead and the cheap seats.... but worth an extended drive in the exact model you want to be sure.
It drove really well to be honest, just noisy really... higher specs maybe better of course. Believe that some drivers at old work had real issues with the adblue on Transits.... not sure if that is due to running below minimum or teething issues.
Edited by Tomo1971 on Friday 27th April 08:15
The elevated driving position of a van, especially the Transit Custom does make motorway driving very easy with excellent visibility. The latest generation of Custom are pretty well insulated and very car-like inside the cabin with a few toys as well. The only downside is the ride can be pretty bouncy when unloaded but I’m sure you could change the rear springs if its an issue.
I have a Transit Connect for daily use. Brand new. It is great. Handles like a focus, all the mod cons inside including heated seat for the driver and seats 3 albeit it the 3rd seat is a little cramped but my 7 and 6 year old lads love coming out with daddy in the van. 50 mpg's is achievable without taking it too easy and a good sized load space. I'm not sure about the tax side of it if you are not in a job that a van could be deemed necessary or whether they even check?
You'll have no problems covering miles in a pickup or new van, they are all getting more car like in comfort and nvh terms.
Our dmax is a lovely vehicle, probably the nicest we've ever owned.
The downsides to them are: Size, no problem on the road but can make parking a pain (mainly in towns/cities). MPG, if you've got a fuel card then go for it, if not then don't expect car mpg you will not get it. Tyres, they cost more than a normal car tyre as they are bigger/load rated.
If the downsides don't bother you then I'd say go for it.
Our dmax is a lovely vehicle, probably the nicest we've ever owned.
The downsides to them are: Size, no problem on the road but can make parking a pain (mainly in towns/cities). MPG, if you've got a fuel card then go for it, if not then don't expect car mpg you will not get it. Tyres, they cost more than a normal car tyre as they are bigger/load rated.
If the downsides don't bother you then I'd say go for it.
)In the 80s all I had were vans for work and as my main car.
1987 Transit with a 2.5 Diesel engine was my fav although the clutch was tough on my left knee in London traffic.
Builder mate of mine has a lovely 3.0 auto Merc van which has a second row of seats for the family at weekends.
Drove it the other day. I could easily live with that.
1987 Transit with a 2.5 Diesel engine was my fav although the clutch was tough on my left knee in London traffic.
Builder mate of mine has a lovely 3.0 auto Merc van which has a second row of seats for the family at weekends.
Drove it the other day. I could easily live with that.
Hopefully you are also aware of the different speed limits that apply to commercial vehicles - which may also apply to the Navarra. If most of your mileage is motorway, then it wont bother you much, otherwise it may cost you a few points on your licence.
Obviously in the real world, vans etc don't seem to be bothered by speed limits, but Plod going by the book will have you.
Also check out insurance. Vans used to be cheap in the "good old days" but not now - they are probably more expensive than the BMW.
Obviously in the real world, vans etc don't seem to be bothered by speed limits, but Plod going by the book will have you.
Also check out insurance. Vans used to be cheap in the "good old days" but not now - they are probably more expensive than the BMW.
If you are doing 30,000miles pa, the change from a 330d (arguably one of the best mile-munchers) to a Transit or pickup will be a sea change. I'd suggest that you get an extended test drive, or hire one of each, to see if you can deal with it. You're spending quite a bit of your life in the car, you should pamper yourself by making your environment as nice as possible. While new vans and trucks are much better than the ones in which I used to do my 50,000+ miles pa, they are nothing like as good as exec cars.
If you decide on a car derived van, or a vehicle that can be described as dual purpose, such as a 4x4 pickup of under 2040kg unladen weight, the speed restrictions (10mph less on National speed limit single carriegeways) won't apply. There is some discussion about smallish vans with side windows and rear seats (Merc Vclass/Vivaros etc) where there are MPV versions, as to whether they are commercial derived cars, or car derived commercials. I don't know what the outcome of that was/is - others will.
If it's only cc tax that worries you, why don't you consider buying an old E class and cashing in on your mileage allowance? A friend who does fiendishly high mileage has 2 Mercs to make sure that he's always mobile. A 2004 E class 320cdi, now with about 300,000 on the clock and still smoking on and a 2009 CLS 500 for flashy clients. Even the big V8 uses less fuel on a run than the another mate's 2 year old Nissan Navara, life-style statement!
If you decide on a car derived van, or a vehicle that can be described as dual purpose, such as a 4x4 pickup of under 2040kg unladen weight, the speed restrictions (10mph less on National speed limit single carriegeways) won't apply. There is some discussion about smallish vans with side windows and rear seats (Merc Vclass/Vivaros etc) where there are MPV versions, as to whether they are commercial derived cars, or car derived commercials. I don't know what the outcome of that was/is - others will.
If it's only cc tax that worries you, why don't you consider buying an old E class and cashing in on your mileage allowance? A friend who does fiendishly high mileage has 2 Mercs to make sure that he's always mobile. A 2004 E class 320cdi, now with about 300,000 on the clock and still smoking on and a 2009 CLS 500 for flashy clients. Even the big V8 uses less fuel on a run than the another mate's 2 year old Nissan Navara, life-style statement!
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