Small van or pickup...
Discussion
Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm looking to buy something that will be a lot more practical than my Polo. It's always minging, I'm understandably cautious when out in the sticks, I have to put my MTB on the back of it and so on and I'm getting tired of three doors.
I want something that doesn't feel alien on the roads, has plenty of space to chuck fishing rods and waders, my bike and maybe some kind of storage for cooking gear etc. All the while not being a dedicated camper or family SUV or something. I'll probably chuck a rooftop tent on it too.
I seem to be going around in circles, initially loving the aesthetic of a defender (but slowly realising I'm not mechanically skilled enough to look after one that I can afford). I then settled on a caddy but then kind of had my heart set on 4x4 capabilities and then almost decided on a pick up. Read lots of reviews and the Amorak seemed to suite; lots of space, 4x4 and drives remarkably well on and off road. I reckon I've got about 10k to spend, if I can get the interest rates advertised...
I'm a little naive when it comes to stuff like this and have no real world experience when it comes to costs of parts, mpg and any maintenance so I'd be really chuffed with any advice.
I suppose 4x4 might be a bit much as it would only be used for anual forays to the Orkneys or trips to Scandinavia and like. Still, it would be cool to have and who knows, it may come in handier when I've got it.
Thanks,
Jake
I'm looking to buy something that will be a lot more practical than my Polo. It's always minging, I'm understandably cautious when out in the sticks, I have to put my MTB on the back of it and so on and I'm getting tired of three doors.
I want something that doesn't feel alien on the roads, has plenty of space to chuck fishing rods and waders, my bike and maybe some kind of storage for cooking gear etc. All the while not being a dedicated camper or family SUV or something. I'll probably chuck a rooftop tent on it too.
I seem to be going around in circles, initially loving the aesthetic of a defender (but slowly realising I'm not mechanically skilled enough to look after one that I can afford). I then settled on a caddy but then kind of had my heart set on 4x4 capabilities and then almost decided on a pick up. Read lots of reviews and the Amorak seemed to suite; lots of space, 4x4 and drives remarkably well on and off road. I reckon I've got about 10k to spend, if I can get the interest rates advertised...
I'm a little naive when it comes to stuff like this and have no real world experience when it comes to costs of parts, mpg and any maintenance so I'd be really chuffed with any advice.
I suppose 4x4 might be a bit much as it would only be used for anual forays to the Orkneys or trips to Scandinavia and like. Still, it would be cool to have and who knows, it may come in handier when I've got it.
Thanks,
Jake
I think in your position I'd look for a small van. The idea of a pickup is attractive, but -
They are huge, impossible to park in standard parking spaces. Underground/multi-storey car parks are a nightmare.
They have the turning circle of an oil tanker. It's entirely possible that an oil tanker has better fuel consumption.
The load area isn't really very accessible - when you drop the tailgate you're a half metre further away. If you have a canopy or hard cover you can't access the load area from the side. If you take the canopy off everything gets wet, plus the risk of theft.
I would never consider a pickup as my only vehicle.
They are huge, impossible to park in standard parking spaces. Underground/multi-storey car parks are a nightmare.
They have the turning circle of an oil tanker. It's entirely possible that an oil tanker has better fuel consumption.
The load area isn't really very accessible - when you drop the tailgate you're a half metre further away. If you have a canopy or hard cover you can't access the load area from the side. If you take the canopy off everything gets wet, plus the risk of theft.
I would never consider a pickup as my only vehicle.
That's a tricky set of criteria! Let me suggest a left field option. I drive a Ford Transit Connect L2 for work. We've had two, the first generation 1.6 diesel and the second generation 1.5 diesel. The first did 180,000 miles with nothing but regular servicing, tyres and clutch. Died with head gasket failure but our garage swapped the engine and kept it as their pool van. Second on on 22,000 miles.
They drive like cars - much the same as our own Honda CR-V. They can be L1 swb or L2 - for long wheel base which are quite long but they fit in parking bays and they are narrow enough for country lanes. The later 1.5 are better than the earlier 1.6 which were a bit gutless when combined with high gearing and a bit of weight.
You'd need to consider the extra VAT cost involved in purchasing but you can find non vat vans on auto trader. Both do over 50mpg. Rubbish in the snow - buy some winters.
They drive like cars - much the same as our own Honda CR-V. They can be L1 swb or L2 - for long wheel base which are quite long but they fit in parking bays and they are narrow enough for country lanes. The later 1.5 are better than the earlier 1.6 which were a bit gutless when combined with high gearing and a bit of weight.
You'd need to consider the extra VAT cost involved in purchasing but you can find non vat vans on auto trader. Both do over 50mpg. Rubbish in the snow - buy some winters.
Thanks for all of the replies. Very helpful! I think I needed someone to put me off the pickup option. In my heart I knew it wasn't practical, just needed a nudge to for me to accept it.
The Delica looks pretty spot on. All seem to be fairly old and pretty rare on auto trader though. Any other van type 4x4s going?
I still think the smaller van is probably what I'll end up doing. Why the Berlingo and transit connect and not a caddy? I've always had VW's and had few, if any issues so I suppose I'm reluctant to change. I've never had one over 100k though.
The Delica looks pretty spot on. All seem to be fairly old and pretty rare on auto trader though. Any other van type 4x4s going?
I still think the smaller van is probably what I'll end up doing. Why the Berlingo and transit connect and not a caddy? I've always had VW's and had few, if any issues so I suppose I'm reluctant to change. I've never had one over 100k though.
VW Caddy would be just as good, I've not had or driven one that's all.
The Pajero owners club (POCUK) used to be the go-to place for Delica's I believe but there is not much going on there as I can see. You can get more recent Japanese imports for the Delica but I don't know much about them.
The Pajero owners club (POCUK) used to be the go-to place for Delica's I believe but there is not much going on there as I can see. You can get more recent Japanese imports for the Delica but I don't know much about them.
Edited by TurboBlue on Sunday 8th March 17:20
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