Daily van and day van

[macp]

So im going around in circles. I want to buy a van. I want to spend up to 15 or 16k for the base van. And what do I intend doing with it. Over time I will spend extra money and have it converted subtly to camp in, because I still want to be able to use it daily. Im mostly attracted by people carriers. I have been avoiding the Transporter due to high prices and not getting a lot for your money. The really high spec vans all seem to be BiTDi which are major trouble, unless one starts deleting DPF & EGR with remap. The Transit Custom Tourneo seems plentiful in 2.0 guise, but again trouble. My absolute favourite is the Merc Vito as a Crew cab. I would have to spend low 20s to get into a V Class and dont think I can deal with potentially devaluing it even though I would have a bed professionally installed. And then there is the whole petrol vs diesel issue. Im not sure I want the potential agro with modern diesels. But the only option then is a JDM Vellfire or Alphard and swmbo is not looking keen.

So round and round we go

Overthinking it ??

[ZX10R NIN]

Get one of these they'll do everything you want, the drivetrain is proven & it'll be reliable:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508015...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507084...

[ADJimbo]

SsangYong Turismo Camper? Google them. ..

[Richtea1970]

ZX10R NIN said:

Get one of these they'll do everything you want, the drivetrain is proven & it'll be reliable:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508015...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507084...

Blimey, can't believe the price of those now. A neighbour had one a few years ago and had to near enough give it away. Don't think there was much wrong with it but they didn't like the seating as it wasn't very flexible. Other MPVs were doing removable or fold flat seats etc, whereas the I800 bench seats were pretty much stuck in the same position. I also remember him saying that it was a but thirsty.

[ZX10R NIN]

Richtea1970 said:

Blimey, can't believe the price of those now. A neighbour had one a few years ago and had to near enough give it away. Don't think there was much wrong with it but they didn't like the seating as it wasn't very flexible. Other MPVs were doing removable or fold flat seats etc, whereas the I800 bench seats were pretty much stuck in the same position. I also remember him saying that it was a but thirsty.

These later ones (like above) have folding seats on both rear seats & the middle seats do slide back/forth.

[macron]

Gumtree and Facebook marketplace and find something ready done, plenty of part cheap conversions, take your pick!

[Richtea1970]

ZX10R NIN said:

Richtea1970 said:

Blimey, can't believe the price of those now. A neighbour had one a few years ago and had to near enough give it away. Don't think there was much wrong with it but they didn't like the seating as it wasn't very flexible. Other MPVs were doing removable or fold flat seats etc, whereas the I800 bench seats were pretty much stuck in the same position. I also remember him saying that it was a but thirsty.

These later ones (like above) have folding seats on both rear seats & the middle seats do slide back/forth.

Ah OK, yes they did have one of the earlier models

[macp]

Thanks all
The Hyundai is an interesting idea. I have a theory about going petrol though over diesel. To my mind the lower mpg of a petrol vehicle should offset the strong potential of high repair/maintenance bills of a diesel. It happened to me once in an Audi TDi with a 2k repair bill.

Does this hold water or am i talking nonsense ?

[Jonny_]

With the Hyundai vans there's a bit of a quirk in the spec: they don't have cruise control or speed limiter, even on the highest spec versions.

May or may not matter to you OP but best to be aware! Was a complete deal breaker for me. Which was a shame as they do look like a nice van otherwise.

Will say that I absolutely love the 2016 Mercedes Vito crew van that I bought last year. Very comfortable, properly trimmed in the rear, and the 2.1 engine and 7G-Tronic automatic are the most reliable you'll find in any van. They'll do over 300k if properly serviced. Only downside is that the factory nav is archaic, but that was easily remedied with a dash-mounted CarPlay/Android Auto screen from Amazon.

[macp]

Jonny_ said:

With the Hyundai vans there's a bit of a quirk in the spec: they don't have cruise control or speed limiter, even on the highest spec versions.

May or may not matter to you OP but best to be aware! Was a complete deal breaker for me. Which was a shame as they do look like a nice van otherwise.

Will say that I absolutely love the 2016 Mercedes Vito crew van that I bought last year. Very comfortable, properly trimmed in the rear, and the 2.1 engine and 7G-Tronic automatic are the most reliable you'll find in any van. They'll do over 300k if properly serviced. Only downside is that the factory nav is archaic, but that was easily remedied with a dash-mounted CarPlay/Android Auto screen from Amazon.

Thanks Jonny I do use cruise a lot so would have wanted that. So you have had no issues with your Vito. What mileage is yours on may I ask ?

And do you also mind me asking your VED cost.

Edited by macp on Monday 18th August 14:19

[ZX10R NIN]

macp said:

Thanks Jonny I do use cruise a lot so would have wanted that. So you have had no issues with your Vito. What mileage is yours on may I ask ?

And do you also mind me asking your VED cost.

Edited by macp on Monday 18th August 14:19

Gen2's do have cruise control.

[Jonny_]

ZX10R NIN said:

macp said:

Thanks Jonny I do use cruise a lot so would have wanted that. So you have had no issues with your Vito. What mileage is yours on may I ask ?

And do you also mind me asking your VED cost.

Edited by macp on Monday 18th August 14:19

Gen2's do have cruise control.

Don't know what year a Gen 2 was but certainly none of the i800s I was looking at (2015-2018) had it. If the pics on Auto trader/eBay etc show the steering wheel you can see the blank switches on the right where the cruise buttons would be (same wheel was used in other Hyundai cars). There's the odd van with an aftermarket cruise stalk fitted but they are rare.

My Vito is on 105000 miles. No issues beyond a sticky brake caliper slide which was easy enough to strip, clean and lube with fresh silicone grease.

VED goes out monthly, it's about £30 a month so £360 a year.

[Ry.Clarke]

I think you’re massively overthinking it to be honest, You’re fixated on devaluing, which suggests to me you’re not set on this. Ignoring that most camper conversions are selling well above what the base van would have sold for, how quickly exactly do you expect to be getting rid of it?

Do yourself a favour, and rent some campers, see if you even like the lifestyle.

And for the record, I’ve done 289,000 to date on my bi-tdi Transporter. Don’t believe everything you read.

Edited by Ry.Clarke on Monday 18th August 19:13

Edited by Ry.Clarke on Monday 18th August 19:14

[macp]

Jonny_ said:

ZX10R NIN said:

macp said:

Thanks Jonny I do use cruise a lot so would have wanted that. So you have had no issues with your Vito. What mileage is yours on may I ask ?

And do you also mind me asking your VED cost.

Edited by macp on Monday 18th August 14:19

Gen2's do have cruise control.

Don't know what year a Gen 2 was but certainly none of the i800s I was looking at (2015-2018) had it. If the pics on Auto trader/eBay etc show the steering wheel you can see the blank switches on the right where the cruise buttons would be (same wheel was used in other Hyundai cars). There's the odd van with an aftermarket cruise stalk fitted but they are rare.

My Vito is on 105000 miles. No issues beyond a sticky brake caliper slide which was easy enough to strip, clean and lube with fresh silicone grease.

VED goes out monthly, it's about £30 a month so £360 a year.

Thanks for the info jonny.

[macp]

Ry.Clarke said:

I think you’re massively overthinking it to be honest, You’re fixated on devaluing, which suggests to me you’re not set on this. Ignoring that most camper conversions are selling well above what the base van would have sold for, how quickly exactly do you expect to be getting rid of it?

Do yourself a favour, and rent some campers, see if you even like the lifestyle.

And for the record, I’ve done 289,000 to date on my bi-tdi Transporter. Don’t believe everything you read.

Edited by Ry.Clarke on Monday 18th August 19:13

Edited by Ry.Clarke on Monday 18th August 19:14

Completely agree about the overthinking it. And certainly was obsessing about value. But I am set on this despite my graphs & flip chart thinking. I have had a strong word with myself today.

But your comment re the mileage on youy bi tdi is interesting. Is that as standard or have you replaced the EGR or any other kind of preventative maintenance ?

Edited by macp on Tuesday 19th August 12:25