10k-12k Base van

[dojo]

Hi all,

It looks like going forward there will be a lot less commuting and more WFH.
Debating trading my car in and getting a Van to convert into a day van/weekend camper.
It would still have to be used most days and be a 2nd family vehicle, also our drive isn't that big so no Unimogs!

When I trade my car in and top it up I reckon I would have about 10k - maybe 12k at a push for a van.
(I recently sold a classic mini so have 4k to put into the conversion)

I was looking (predictably) at T5s but the cost of the base van with decent (low) mileage is crazy high.

But that sort of size would be ideal, it has to sleep 2 adults and a toddler. (double chair at front with a swivel base will double as childs bed)
The idea is that if we get into the lifestyle we will sell it in a few years and get a bigger van and if not hopefully not loose too much of the investment on this one (hence the T5).

Any ideas/tips what sort of van should I expect for that budget. Is that a fair amount to budget for the conversion?

Thanks in advance

[Lugy]

Will keep an eye on this thread, from what I'm hearing the demand for good, used vans has crept up a fair bit (for the same reason as you're thinking), with the inevitable price increase.
I'm also looking in to getting a van to use for racing (not racing the van ), so not full blown camper but having it somewhere in between.
I'm wondering if the demand will slow down as the colder weather comes in and a camper van isn't as appealing any more.
As for the van itself, a VW would have been my first choice (the OH works for a VW dealer so we've borrowed them a lot) but the price is off putting and other vans now drive every bit as good as them, now looking at a 2015 onwards Transit or wondering if I could stretch to a 2.0 Renault Trafic (doubtful at the moment).

[Trevor555]

Lugy said:

Will keep an eye on this thread, from what I'm hearing the demand for good, used vans has crept up a fair bit

The prices have gone silly.

I'm afraid 10k doesn't buy much of a Transporter.

For that budget have a look at Elgrands, Alphards.

You can pick a nice one up for 7ish, and have a poptop roof fitted, and an awning rail/side tent if you need more space.

[Lugy]

Trevor555 said:

The prices have gone silly.

I'm afraid 10k doesn't buy much of a Transporter.

For that budget have a look at Elgrands, Alphards.

You can pick a nice one up for 7ish, and have a poptop roof fitted, and an awning rail/side tent if you need more space.

Good shout in the JDM stuff, plus they have the benefit of being a car so drive like a car and can be driven at car speed limits out the box. Their values always seem to stay the same too. I'd fancy an Alphard but I'm not sure it'd be rugged enough for me .

[PurpleTurtle]

I really like the idea of an Elgrand, a campervan with the lump out of a 350Z really appeals to me.

Not sure how much internal space there would be for a young family though, suspect it would be very cosy.

[Trevor555]

PurpleTurtle said:

I really like the idea of an Elgrand, a campervan with the lump out of a 350Z really appeals to me.

Not sure how much internal space there would be for a young family though, suspect it would be very cosy.

You really need a side awning to give you more space, even with the Transporters, they're cosy sitting inside with a family of four.

[Vimes]

I was in a similar position. For a day van I narrowed it down to:
- Caravelle
- Viano
- Tourneo custom(SWB)

Looked at all of them and found the Ford was too much like a minibus. Seats were hard and kids weren’t comfortable on them.

The viano was lovely inside, comfy and lots of toys for the money but the dash lit up like a Christmas tree with all the errors, paintwork was fading and rust was coming through on a 2010 model. Plus as I work in London and every other car is a viano taxi, so wheni look at it I just saw a taxi.

Caravelle had the most flexible interior, is the coolest, depreciation proof plus it’s simple and cheap to upgrade and fix. Plus seats turn into a bed for race weekends

We bought an under budget but ropey 160k mile Caravelle and spending a small fortune restoring it back to life. Really pleased with my choice. Total spend will be circa 12k.

The T5 is more expensive for a reason...

Edited by Vimes on Saturday 3rd October 01:19

[andburg]

Vimes said:

The T5 is more expensive for a reason...

Edited by Vimes on Saturday 3rd October 01:19

Far more complicated electrics to go wrong!

I'd probably disregard the jap stuff, they're all considerably narrower than a transporter so when converted you end up with a very narrow bed. All weigh in rather heavy and so either have a stressed 4 banger or a thirsty V6 so will see 20-30mpg.

There are a lot of dreamers out there, asking prices might be 20-30% up on the norm but selling prices aren't, at least not from what I've seen watching ebay. I looked at tidy silver SWB 1.9tdi T5 other day, 1 owner from new 143k miles with history 2+1 up front, had been fully lined and a kombi middle bench installed with a home brewed bed conversion behind and was up at £8500, i reckon i could have taken it away for less than 8.

if budget of £12k is purely base vehicle take a look at the Toyota Proace / Peugeot expert / Citroen Despatch, at 3 years old these are approaching £12k and the Toyota should still have 2 years warranty remaining. Reviews suggest a very car like driving experience and there are car versions of them,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202009053... Proace 2.0 90k miles

edit:

£4k should just about do a conversion but will be units/hob and sink only with basic rock and roll bed.
I've be very surprised if you could get windows put in, fridge, swivel seats, inverter, electric hook up for that sort of conversion spend.

Edited by andburg on Monday 5th October 09:05

[Output Flange]

Is there any reason you're not on eBay looking at £15k motorhomes instead? For the same footprint, a coachbuilt gives you more space, and the conversion bit is already done.

[GSalt]

As above, you could spend £10-15k on a motorhome, not have to do any conversion, and not lose very much at all if you sell after a couple of years. And get more space and on-board facilities for your cash.

I spent less than £8k on a '91 Hymer and it's a tough old gal. Doesn't set the world alight in terms of driving experience, but it gets us there (2.5k miles around Europe last summer). The only thing you'd need to watch for is making sure you get one with 3-point seatbelts in the back for the nipper.

[dojo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

As we don't have much room on the drive I can't get another vehicle - it needs to double as a second family car.

At the moment I'm leaning more towards a Transit Custom window van as the base vehicle?? Although I just met a mate in town who travels a lot and had chat about same thing and I'm itching for for a LWB Sprinter! aha

The problem with ebay campers at 15k/16k is that a lot of the vans have a mileage of 150k-200k. I can get a Van with much lower mileage and it will be a fun learning experience building it to your own requirements??

[Spare tyre]

We use iloads and i800s. Good cars. Only problem is the local dealer in Southampton, but the car is excellent

[Spare tyre]

On a side note, I recently had a 2.0 petrol bongo. Excellent car, just I found getting parts frustrating, no garage was keen on taking it on and wanted you to take ownership of problems and parts

[Harfi88]

I have a Transit Custom for work and it great, I think they look better than a Transporter too,