A What Van thread....

[Chris77]

Hi guys

Not done a What...? thread before, but here goes.

Current van is a Vauxhall combo 1.7D 2003, side load door, had it for about 4 years and has cost more than I would have liked to keep on the road. Size wise I would like to go a size up from the current van.

Budget is £4500 (I am VAT registered so can be + VAT, but would have to find that extra cash)

The van will be used for carrying tiles / bathroom products, also tools.

I am looking at the Primastar/Vivaro/Traffic and the VW caddy at the moment has anyone got experience with these? whats running costs/reliability like?

any advice would be appreciated

[Chris77]

Have you ever been in a combo? if so how do they compare size wise? I need to get out and look at some, they look bigger but not sure if its the design of them or if its actually bigger.....if that makes sense?

Also some of the ads say they are Euro 4 tax, is that cheaper road tax?

[Chris77]

Thanks for the replys guys.

Been to look at a couple over the weekend, looked at a caddy (which was actually out of our price range but gave me an idea of what they are like) and a dispatch.

The dispatch was in very good condition, 80K on 55 plate, full history, one owner (Telewest), only fault i could find was the gear box was as loose as an essex girl, also exhaust souded rattley but looked fine?

The caddy was a 50K on 06 plate, ex pharmacy van. Parked next to the combo and measured the load space, caddy is 2" wider 3" longer so no real differenc, but to drive the it was a world of difference to the dispatch, much more car like.

I am swaying towards a caddy as it also has cheaper tax, and should be better on MPG. Want to look at some Vivaro/Primastar/Trafic still but hearing more horror stories about gearbox's on higher mileage examples, but will still look at some just for comparison. Also need to look at a connect.

The search goes on........

[Chris77]

Thought Id update this as I have just purchased my new van, picked it up on wednesday. It wasnt a van we had really considerd, but a rep I deal with saw it and thought Id be interested, went for a look and it just felt right, and the price helped

Here is a quick mobile pick



2007 with 80K, one owner, full history and MOT, one small dent but otherwise very straight.

Hope it lives a long happy life with us and isnt to hard on the old wallet

[Chris77]

Powerrr said:

Hmmmmmm.........

?????

[Chris77]

Well, it was a good van......until it got destroyed by joy riders in an Impreza Christmas 2013 😤

Got replaced by a newer lower mileage version but is the medium wheel base, so about 30 cm longer load space. Been a good van also, only problem so far was the EGR valve gave problems last year but got fixed for £400. Also seems to go through rear light bulbs more than usual???


Also no cup holders is annoying !!