Cheap Estate to use as a van

[anonymous-user]

I am looking to get a cheap estate to use as a van for my electrical work. I have around £1500 or less to spend on an estate. I am thinking that a Diesel would be best. I have found these two:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Would anyone be able to suggest any others?

[Salmonofdoubt]

Berlingo/Partner/Doblo would be a good idea. If you want to use it as a van buy something van based that way you get the space and easy of use from a van but get seats and windows.

[magpie215]

Sharan Galaxy Alhambra.....rear seats out.make a decent sized load lugger

[ZX10R NIN]

As above go for an MPV take the seats out & you have a van:

Galaxy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Grand Picasso

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Grand Scenic

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Zafira

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[eldar]

Vauxhall Meriva, old style, rear seats entirely removable give it transit like capacity for shed money.

[steve-5snwi]

Ford Mondeo Mk3, the amount of stuff I can get in mine, it will also take 3mtr pieces of wood, granted it needs to sit on the dash but the load bay is huge and nice and square.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks, I don't really need the back seats,but it is an option if I do need to transport anyone, but I don't think I could get an MPV, although its large enough, they are a bit family orientated. Hence the reason to look at an Estate.

I don't need to carry much, tools are all on one of the Dewalt tough systems and I have a tool tote for my hand tools, and a fibreglass ladder. I was thinking a van would be okay, but I was thinking they are a target for thieves, so another reason to look at a car. Also with a van, you need to buy extra locks etc to stop them being broken into or empty them of a night.

I did think about an SUV, something like an X Trail or similar.

[kurt535]

rdb85 said:

Thanks, I don't really need the back seats,but it is an option if I do need to transport anyone, but I don't think I could get an MPV, although its large enough, they are a bit family orientated. Hence the reason to look at an Estate.

I don't need to carry much, tools are all on one of the Dewalt tough systems and I have a tool tote for my hand tools, and a fibreglass ladder. I was thinking a van would be okay, but I was thinking they are a target for thieves, so another reason to look at a car. Also with a van, you need to buy extra locks etc to stop them being broken into or empty them of a night.

I did think about an SUV, something like an X Trail or similar.

My Honda CRV mk2 carried so much stuff! Bets little truck for me till some wker wrote it off ramming into me whilst i was stationary at a junction!

[anonymous-user]

I’ve just looked at some small vans. They are not that good tbh. I think as I’m only driving to the site and will only require hand tools, some power tools and a fibreglass ladder they would all fit in an estate.

I also tried some SWB vans but they were no better. I think that only being in my 30s an MPV would be no good. The SUVs are not too bad but I’m not sure if everything would fit.

Also with a van, I would need to buy a ladder rack to store the ladders on a smaller van such a Berlingo/Combo. But they would fit in a SWB Transit.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 10th December 22:20

[ZX10R NIN]

You can get your ladder in an estate but you have to buy a roof rack because it won't fit in a SWB van?

[anonymous-user]

I would fit everything in an SWB Transit size van, but if I bought a Berlingo or smaller van they don't fit as my cousin has one, and had to buy a roof rack. Plus the SWB Transit type vans are awful. I would end up spending more fixing a van that's been abused, than an estate that has probably been a motorway cruiser.

[Glasgowrob]

in fairness mk7 transits onwards are decent drives, with more cupholders than you can shake a stick it,

also the only thing i've driven bar a citroen ax that you can store a 2l bottle of juice in. the dash or doorpockets

[anonymous-user]

Transit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Berlingo: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Escort Van - Which I think looks the best: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Transit Connect: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Combo: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Jonny_]

I've always thought the answer to the "van but not a van" question is an old Kia Sedona.

They're massive, especially if you take the back seats out. Probably not far off Transit Custom or Citroen Dispatch size. Most/all? in the UK have the 2.9CRDi engine which is a good bit more potent than most van engines. And there's plenty to choose from at £1500 or less. Plus you get air con and quite likely an automatic gearbox, which you're unlikely to find in a commercial vehicle at that price.

Oh, and the things are so ugly you won't feel bad about damaging the bodywork!

[anonymous-user]

Not sure on the KIA - £540 to tax: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ninjag]

I'd stick with a van rather than an estate. Anything can be broken into sure, but windows are easy for a random opportunist so it could balance out the benefit of discretion an estate would have.

What about a van, with a solid bulkhead between the cab, and perhaps look at installing a simple secret compartment somewhere for the most valuable of tools like boxing up each side over the wheel arches. I'm sure the hardcore crooks probably know all the tricks but it'll be dark and they'll be in a hurry. Plus some of those little alarms you get for garage doors etc could be fitted. You could even go so far as to buy a used lot of cheap power tools from Gumtree or something as a diversion from the good stuff.

I would also look at deceptive low key livery which would be a business that would never have anything inside of value. I thinking something like dog walking service. No tools, no valuables and obviously no dogs inside the van at night.

Edited by ninjag on Monday 10th December 23:24

[ZX10R NIN]

Get a van something like this Peugeot expert with it's bulletproof 1.9d will do the job just fine you can even sell the roof rack to get a bit of change back.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[anonymous-user]

That looks okay. I would probably look at the silver one due to it having a roof rack. The Escort Van looks good too. They are rare and going up in value.

[anonymous-user]

Another option is an Astra Van. As having never had van insurance before they are quite high for anything Transit size. That Expert for example was as much to insure as the van was to buy.

Or a Vauxhall Combo:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 16th December 16:18