New to me van

[gsxrblue]

I'm looking for a new van and thought Id see what the Pistonheads massive have to say.

I currently drive a transit connect but need 3 seats so will have to go the next size up. I have up to 4500 to spend but less would be nice. As nice as a T5 transporter would be they seem very expensive so I am currently looking at Transits and Trafic/Vivaros.

Question 1 is on mileage, there are loads of newish vans in reach with around 100k miles so is this a problem. Do they take the miles better than cars and would a 100k 2008 model be something to aim for as opposed to older with lower mileage.

Question 2 is on Trafics as I like the look of these especially the 2.0 115. The big problem seems to be the gearboxes. Is this a problem on the later vans as much as the old ones (1.9) where they all seem to have had a new box.

I'm not a great fan of Fords despite currently having a Focus and a connect but it is for work so would it be more sensible to get a transit with a bit of rust.

Any body have any thoughts or experience on either of the above or should I be looking at anything else.

Thanks

[Aerate]

Just finishing a four-year finance / lease arrangement on my Trafic. Great bit of kit, economical, cheap to run (still on the original Continental VanCos on the rear, and my driving is far from saintly), done 45,000 miles in comfort and saved myself a fortune compared to VW. Should be able to get on with less than 100k miles for four and a half grand. Do it! (But avoid the Satnav package, you're better off with aftermarket...)

[boycee123]

I have a 2009 transit t350 which just over 4 years old which has 205000 on it never given me much grief other then a new gearbox on 137000 so be wary of that as I know of another two that have gone around the same mileage as mine, and they cost about 2 grand to replace, but other then that just the usual wear and tear like starter motor, ball joint etc

[muckymotor]

Have a drive as I find the Vivaro/Trafic very uncomfortable and can never get the seat how I'd like it. We have Transits and Vivaros at work and my own money would go on the Transit. The interior trim on the Vivaros also seems to fall apart after a few years use.