off topic.. but in need of advise.. drive or run a van ???

[maccavvy]

Hi guys im after some advice.

Ive been having a few small issue of late with my van and thinking about an upgrade.

I need a medium wheelbase. high roof van

looking for info regarding reliability issues. costs for repairs /servicing and mpg figures..

more info the better before I part with my hard earned.

thanks Marcus

[djwilk]

Can recommend VW Crafter. Used to run it for over four years with no issues. Comfortable, not bad on fuel and torquey. Mind, I had had it from new.
Currently replaced with 2014 LWB Sprinter 313. I wish I had gone for 316. It feels gutless otherwise but a very nice van and superb on fuel.
Other vehicle in the fleet is a VW Transporter, but that is not necessarily the choice for you as it is quite a bit smaller.

What budget are you operating on and are you looking to purchase outright or would you need to be financing? In which case are you VAT registered?

[maccavvy]

im afraid it will be second hand for me fella. budget is about 5-6 k max.not at registered neither don't earn no where near enough

a transporter is too small as you mentioned. I run a sprinter now. but looking at sprinters and crafters.

unfortunately looking like im gonna be starting at 150k on the clock .although ive seen some with 450k.

[djwilk]

I'd go for Crafter then. Cheaper badge than Merc and identical inside. MWB high roof can probably be had in your budget, being an 08 or 09 with a lot of miles on it. There are a few on Autotrader, a red one as well if you are not special about the colour. I probably would not see a benefit of paying more for a Merc, would not go for a frenchie either.

[Xpuffin]

I ran a mwb/ hr transit 350 (90) for 6 years.
Bought it at auction for £3300 with a few scrapes on it, 60k on the clock,never let me down (02 reg bought in 06)
Thing to do is bid on the no vat vans as the traders don't want to touch them.
Presently running a Vivaro which is like driving a car, 40 mpg as well.
Don't know if that's big enough though.

Edited by Xpuffin on Friday 16th January 10:06

[hsvgts454]

Transit all day long

Vivaros st gear box st egr st to work on just st really

Crafters are ok just be careful where you fill up with fuel they don't like bio diesel

Transporters drive nice but are not that strong in terms off gearbox and engine the trouble is vw tried to make them to car like
And a work horse should be strong

Toyota power van is another good bet boring but bomb proff

[DJZ1]

From experience Would not recommend Transits after 06 plate .Up and till then we only had Ford .We now run Sprinters,Crafters and Transporters.We do have a Fiat Ducato dropside with 260K on it on 58 plate.amazingly its been very good as we needed a dropside quick ,only thing is electrics can be a bit iffy .

[Paul v8]

Get the new transit I run around in one all day and there fab ,good deals on leasing at mo
You can get a mid spec for about 220 p/month and if anything goes wrong you call them they pick it up and mend it

[djwilk]

Paul v8 said:

Get the new transit I run around in one all day and there fab ,good deals on leasing at mo
You can get a mid spec for about 220 p/month and if anything goes wrong you call them they pick it up and mend it

If he is a sole trader and not a limited company, the offer might be slightly different, thus more expensive. Don't forget about VAT on top of the £220. I think they are a tad more than tht if you mean Transit with high roof with a wheel base similar to Crafter. Still, I would also recommend leasing. But in reality what the OP is looking for this would likely be nearer £350 - £400 pcm IMHO.

I also run leasing on two vehicles and am looking into getting a third one and the general consensus is that the offers have increased in prices from Dec '14 and many brokers have not updated their prices yet.

[maccavvy]

Cheers for all the comments and posts.

Every bit helps in helping me decide. Ive had trannies citroen and sprinters as hire vans over the years .

I think this is also helping me decide which to get . Ive some mechanic friends that have said trannies have more issues than sprinters,or the ones that they've had in do anyways .

Leasing one isn't for me. I cant put money into something and not own it. plus not being vat registered ill never recover that.

Like I said my budget is 5k at a push 6k. looks like sprinter or crafter is gonna work out best

As also mentioned above I'm just a sole trader ..my last sprinter old shape I've had for 6 years
And done 100k in it with very little issues...4weeks off road in total.
Going to look at a few this week

Edited by maccavvy on Saturday 17th January 23:34

[DJZ1]

Not sure what your budget will get you but VED was reduced for a period .We have 2 x Sprinters with this rate.

" VED £140 for 12 month rate applies to all light goods vehicles that fall into the Euro 5 emissions bracket and were registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010. As before, the 3500kg maximum weight limit still applies to these vans."

[maccavvy]

well guys thanks for your help and advice.

after looking at a dozen sprinters. which they clearly use for banger racing I gave up on the idea.

Just dropped a deposit off for a 2010 transit 2.4 6sp 115 ,2 owner fsh and loads of spec ,pick it up this weekend.

[hsvgts454]

maccavvy said:

well guys thanks for your help and advice.

after looking at a dozen sprinters. which they clearly use for banger racing I gave up on the idea.

Just dropped a deposit off for a 2010 transit 2.4 6sp 115 ,2 owner fsh and loads of spec ,pick it up this weekend.

Good buy there