Van hunting

[philpalmer]

The time has come when we need a van. We do lots of chilli shows around the country and my crv is just not up to the job, even with a roofbox and trailer.

We've finally got the list of possibles down to two types
Toyota Hiace Powervan
or
Volkswagen Transporter

They are both slightly larger than a connect/expert but smaller than a transit which is fine for us as it will double as my every day transport.

Does anyone have any experience of either. Our budget is pretty tight - about £2700. This will get us a X/Y reg Powervan but only a N/P reg Transporter.

We need something with a bit of grunt.

Anyone have experience of either? My heart says Transporter but my head says Powervan.

Thanks

[Rakoosh]

If think you will need to drive into London for your work then I would suggest getting a petrol one otherwise you'll be paying a lot in LEZ charges.

VW T4's hold their value well - so for your budget you may not get a great example (even the reg you're talking) so I would lean on the yota between those two.

[philpalmer]

We live in Devon. There will be nothing around London. Thanks

[Rakoosh]

Ah well then I suggest looking at the classifieds in London as I think quite a few people are still trying to sell non compliant vans!!

Might be worth the long trip!!

philpalmer said:

We live in Devon. There will be nothing around London. Thanks

[Cooky]

Kate Beckinsdale?

[philpalmer]

Cheers. Will look into it. I wondered what LEZ was!!

[Changedmyname]

I don't know if a VW caddy falls in to your price bracket ,but well worth a look.
I have one and it's a nippy little thing.

[philpalmer]

I like the caddy but it is a bit small unfortunately.

[CBR JGWRR]

Congratulations on first what van/truck thread OP!

[Getragdogleg]

I went van hunting and ended up with a Nissan cabstar tipper !

It sounds daft but it is the best multipurpose vehicle we have, I built a steel frame and had a canvas/vinyl top made for it so it looks like a small van now and is dry but if I need to do autojumbles I just roll up the side, pull off one of the tipper sides and pop it on trestles and it is a shop front.
Take off the "tent" and frame, the sides and the back and it is a flat bed suitable for pallets (3) plus it still tips up if needed.

It has air-con, a good cd player and is bloody comfy on long journeys.

I might have a pic somewhere, let me look it out.

[JayTee94]

What about a Vauxhall Vivaro*?

You may get around an 05-06 plate.

*Also look at the Renault Trafic & Nissan Primastar as they are the same van as the VX but have different badges.

[powerstroke]

JayTee94 said:

What about a Vauxhall Vivaro*?

You may get around an 05-06 plate.

*Also look at the Renault Trafic & Nissan Primastar as they are the same van as the VX but have different badges.

Great vans if you like big bills , transpoter great van but parts pricey pd engines need special oil 30 min for diy oil change, would say toyota not as nice to drive but wery wriable!!!!

[smn159]

I bought a 1.9TD Transporter for just under 3k recently. Its not the quickest thing on the road but will cruise happily at the legal limit and has an indestructible feel to it.

Also runs on straight veggie oil at 1.00 a litre currently in Tesco's!

Edited by smn159 on Friday 16th March 21:54

[martin mrt]

I've been watching the prices of T4 Transporters lately and you can pick up later vans than a 1996 model for your budget, you'd easily get a 2001 van for that

I bought a filthy 2001 T4 1.9 TD last year for 750 and after a clean sold it for 1500 to the first viewer, so you should get a far newer van for your money

I'd buy the VW, the transporters generally are bombproof