VW T6 and 2nd car? or scrub T6?
Discussion
I work from home, missus works in city centre and gets the tram in. Kid goes to nursery a mile down the road, so round trip 4 x miles a day max - which during the summer is done by bicycle, or walking.
I'm pretty much set on a VW T6 Kombi for our next car, this is based on the need to future-proof us over the next 4-5 years+ and to service various hobbies and interests (day camping, motorcycles, MTB, road bikes, walking etc.) - along with (future) kid(s) hobbies as they grow (bicycles, rugby, MX etc), and eventual dog. It will also support us more when we eventually move out of the city centre.
Missus however, thinks the T6 is too big, and does not want to use it as a daily when she requires it (Fridays, and sometimes at the weekend).
This places me in a position of re-thinking the T6, or getting a second car...
Thoughts? Was thinking about leasing a basic 1.5 TSI 5-door Golf for a second car.
Or bin the T6 off and get something mid-point and continue to struggle, as the estate is not working for us.
I'm pretty much set on a VW T6 Kombi for our next car, this is based on the need to future-proof us over the next 4-5 years+ and to service various hobbies and interests (day camping, motorcycles, MTB, road bikes, walking etc.) - along with (future) kid(s) hobbies as they grow (bicycles, rugby, MX etc), and eventual dog. It will also support us more when we eventually move out of the city centre.
Missus however, thinks the T6 is too big, and does not want to use it as a daily when she requires it (Fridays, and sometimes at the weekend).
This places me in a position of re-thinking the T6, or getting a second car...
Thoughts? Was thinking about leasing a basic 1.5 TSI 5-door Golf for a second car.
Or bin the T6 off and get something mid-point and continue to struggle, as the estate is not working for us.
My wife won't drive my T6 Kombi, but is quite happy in her Q5 which is nearly as wide and not that much shorter.
The Kombi covers all bases, it's fast (for a bus), handles well with a few mods (for a bus) and rides ok (for a bus).
I tonked down to the South of France at 110, camped in it (I've got a bed in mine), took 3 mountain bikes, do tip runs, take dreaded trips to Ikea.
They really are the most versatile thing on 4 wheels, the downsides being I could have got myself a nice year old Range Rover Sport or a new Discovery for the same money.
The Kombi covers all bases, it's fast (for a bus), handles well with a few mods (for a bus) and rides ok (for a bus).
I tonked down to the South of France at 110, camped in it (I've got a bed in mine), took 3 mountain bikes, do tip runs, take dreaded trips to Ikea.
They really are the most versatile thing on 4 wheels, the downsides being I could have got myself a nice year old Range Rover Sport or a new Discovery for the same money.
Coin Slot. said:
My wife won't drive my T6 Kombi, but is quite happy in her Q5 which is nearly as wide and not that much shorter.
The Kombi covers all bases, it's fast (for a bus), handles well with a few mods (for a bus) and rides ok (for a bus).
I tonked down to the South of France at 110, camped in it (I've got a bed in mine), took 3 mountain bikes, do tip runs, take dreaded trips to Ikea.
They really are the most versatile thing on 4 wheels, the downsides being I could have got myself a nice year old Range Rover Sport or a new Discovery for the same money.
Thanks. I’m aiming at practicality and residuals. Yes, the cost is eye watering, but trying to ignore it and focus on the family fun.The Kombi covers all bases, it's fast (for a bus), handles well with a few mods (for a bus) and rides ok (for a bus).
I tonked down to the South of France at 110, camped in it (I've got a bed in mine), took 3 mountain bikes, do tip runs, take dreaded trips to Ikea.
They really are the most versatile thing on 4 wheels, the downsides being I could have got myself a nice year old Range Rover Sport or a new Discovery for the same money.
I’m putting it down to her perception, so will get the van first and then see if she changes her mind. Not sure I want to spend out on a car that only does 30-40miles a week if that.. I’ll keep the estate otherwise, it owes me nothing but it needs a grand or so spent on it.
I recommend the Transit in RS or M Sport (M Sport ones hold their money very well) spec are a very good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
We've run a 2013 T5 camper conversion and a smaller car for nearly 3 years. Obviously ours is a camper rather than a combi, but it's used similarly for biking, camping, general family life etc. (I've started a Readers Cars thread on the van).
A lot of vehicle pairings can work, but I do think there's a lot to be said for a family van alongside a car. Vans - especially a T6 - can be expensive, but you might get a lot more out of one in family circumstances than from a high performance estate or 4x4.
We both cycle to work and do about 8-9k of mainly leisure miles per year across both; 75:25% van:car, with some business miles done in the car. Longer family trips are done in the van and, when the weather is good, it means we tend to make journeys longer so that we can stop off and generally make a day of it.
The one thing that a van is not, however, is a car. Although ours feels good to drive and everyone says they are car-like to pilot, one does have to allow for extra "van time" - the accumulation of slower acceleration and more docile cornering. You can drive faster, but it's a bit foolish and like running with hiking boots on.
We've had an 2013 Mini Cooper S alongside the van, but this has become too small for us. The van has also just reached the age when it needs more than just routine servicing, so I've ordered a new Mini Clubman S to arrive early next year. I don't mind keeping the van for ever, but I would like one of our vehicles to be new-ish and I think we will start using the car more as the years go on.
So, I'd say go for it. Be prepared that you may want to use the van more or less depending on what time of year it is and what mood you're in - but otherwise I'd say it could be a sound investment for the family.
A lot of vehicle pairings can work, but I do think there's a lot to be said for a family van alongside a car. Vans - especially a T6 - can be expensive, but you might get a lot more out of one in family circumstances than from a high performance estate or 4x4.
We both cycle to work and do about 8-9k of mainly leisure miles per year across both; 75:25% van:car, with some business miles done in the car. Longer family trips are done in the van and, when the weather is good, it means we tend to make journeys longer so that we can stop off and generally make a day of it.
The one thing that a van is not, however, is a car. Although ours feels good to drive and everyone says they are car-like to pilot, one does have to allow for extra "van time" - the accumulation of slower acceleration and more docile cornering. You can drive faster, but it's a bit foolish and like running with hiking boots on.
We've had an 2013 Mini Cooper S alongside the van, but this has become too small for us. The van has also just reached the age when it needs more than just routine servicing, so I've ordered a new Mini Clubman S to arrive early next year. I don't mind keeping the van for ever, but I would like one of our vehicles to be new-ish and I think we will start using the car more as the years go on.
So, I'd say go for it. Be prepared that you may want to use the van more or less depending on what time of year it is and what mood you're in - but otherwise I'd say it could be a sound investment for the family.
Edited by The Cardinal on Monday 19th November 21:22
steve-5snwi said:
Probably because the Transit is the better van, we look after some t6’s for local companies and they nearly all have issues with egr valves. Personally I wouldn’t buy one.
I actually run 12x T6 Transporters and 3x Transit Customs (amongst 15 or so previous generation Transits) for my business, I can state as a fact that the current Transit is not the more reliable vehicle, not by a long way.There was a batch of dodgy T6 EGR valves, but none of mine have had this issue, VW are aware and they are swapped out under warranty usually without issue.
If I was buying a panel van for work that was going to get covered in crap on a building site I would look at a Transit, but even that is a tricky decision as you can get a T6 for the same monthly lease cost.
Anyway, the op was asking about T6 Kombi's, not Transits, but as usual on PH somebody will always throw an irrelevant comment into the thread.
BobSaunders said:
Don’t like the transit. Plus I will be adding in a pop as a day camper.
The pop-top is another area where you will get spoilt for choice and everybody will have an opinion.SCA or Reimo if you want German build quality, but they look like upturned boats on the roof of your van.
I've got a stealthy Hilo Panoramic going on mine shortly, it's virtually invisible, you can get them for Transit's too
TheJimi said:
All he did was suggest a relevant alternative. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.
It's not as if he did a 300bhp/tonne and suggested a Camaro instead.
I don't agree, the op would have posted 'Van required and 2nd car? or scrub Van?'It's not as if he did a 300bhp/tonne and suggested a Camaro instead.
And just my 5 cents, but the Transit isn't a relevant alternative
Coin Slot. said:
I don't agree, the op would have posted 'Van required and 2nd car? or scrub Van?'
And just my 5 cents, but the Transit isn't a relevant alternative
I think what really irks you is that someone had the audacity offer suggest a Transit as an alternative to the T6 And just my 5 cents, but the Transit isn't a relevant alternative
BobSaunders said:
Can you even get 2 kids and a pram into a camaro?
Have a sports bike and off road bike, no interest in going fast in a car. Practicality wins out for me.
You do realise the Camaro thing was a throwaway comment? Have a sports bike and off road bike, no interest in going fast in a car. Practicality wins out for me.
Edited by TheJimi on Tuesday 20th November 12:23
Edited by TheJimi on Tuesday 20th November 12:24
TheJimi said:
Coin Slot. said:
I don't agree, the op would have posted 'Van required and 2nd car? or scrub Van?'
And just my 5 cents, but the Transit isn't a relevant alternative
I think what really irks you is that someone had the audacity offer suggest a Transit as an alternative to the T6 And just my 5 cents, but the Transit isn't a relevant alternative
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