What van to buy as a newbie

[Dan Carroll]

Hi guys
I'm new to all this and starting my 2365 soon, but in the mean time and to help fund the course I'm selling my car. So I might as well replace it with a van.

Thing is this won't just be a work van. I still need to be able to carry my two kids around. So is need a crew cab/kombi. And I'd prefer isofix in the back.

Feel free to call me an idiot, but I'm tempted to get a camper and then fettle it a bit. Put the rock and roll bed on rails so it can be either at the front or back and make more space inside. Then it can be used as a work van or a family day van.

Do any of you drive a van that you use for every day family life?

Any advice welcome

 

[littlespark]

I got a little Citroen Berlingo. It has 3 seats across the front, but nothing in the back (I think its an option though.)
The passenger seats are fine for 2 of my skinny daughters, but wouldn't work with booster seats.

 

[buzzlightyear]

these are great little run round ,you will be able to get you kids no problem and your extended family plus all to tools you can carry ,petrol's not bad neither .

 

[MDJ]

Feel free to call me an idiot,

You are an Idiot

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If you get the Citroen / Peugeot vans then they are easily adaptable, as its the same chassis so can have the back seats in plus the cargo area further back.

 

[MDJ]

I would avoid Citreon and peugeot at all costs, never had a good one yet, get a ford transit and fit a bench seat in the back for the kids, I have had a couple and they just last and last, alternatively get a nissan 4x4 with a double cab and rear box, it will take the kids and will hold lots of kit.

 

[Dan Carroll]

Your an Idiot

I did say to call me one

I was planing on avoiding them as well to be fair. Thinking either a transit, vito or transporter. Although I'm not paying the premium for a vw.

 

[MDJ]

I did say to call me one

I was planing on avoiding them as well to be fair. Thinking either a transit, vito or transporter. Although I'm not paying the premium for a vw.

Transits do get bad press, but I loved mine, it was the best van I ever had, loads of room and it is easy to fit a back seat, if you look after it then it will last for years, JMO

 

[buzzlightyear]

transporter

I hope you have deep pockets for one of them .

 

[buzzlightyear]

Transits do get bad press

with every new ford transit ,they will give you a free
crow bar for the thief's .

 

[Squid]

T4 T5 LWB or,

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Transits do get bad press, but I loved mine, it was the best van I ever had, loads of room and it is easy to fit a back seat, if you look after it then it will last for years, JMO

Only thing that put me off a transit was the lock picks fro sale on ebay, you need the extra locks put on after you get it, otherwise for £20 some thief can unlock and empty the van in seconds

 

[Squid]

Ha Ha MDJ a quick edit from Your to You are, sneaky sneaky.......

 

[littlespark]

with every new ford transit ,they will give you a free
crow bar for the thief's .

Don't need a crowbar... screwdriver and a hammer will get you in.
Just ask our resident Scouser for details

 

[MDJ]

Only thing that put me off a transit was the lock picks fro sale on ebay, you need the extra locks put on after you get it, otherwise for £20 some thief can unlock and empty the van in seconds

Yup definately add padlocks, you are right there fella.

 

[Bellendian]

Transit custom with crew seats in back....hope you've got a nice car....vans aren't cheap

Love transits, had mine 11yrs, still going strong, will be replacing with another when it finally dies!

 

[littlespark]

Re #11. Why did the bad guys think that locking the A-Team in a wooden shed with nothing but an old bulldozer, some metal pipes, fireworks and a welder would keep them from stopping their diabolical schemes?

 

[Baddegg]

these are great little run round ,you will be able to get you kids no problem and your extended family plus all to tools you can carry ,petrol's not bad neither .

That f£&kin killed me buzz ha ha ha

 

[Baddegg]

these are great little run round ,you will be able to get you kids no problem and your extended family plus all to tools you can carry ,petrol's not bad neither .

That f£&kin killed me buzz ha ha ha

 

[Baddegg]

Dan, buy the newest/best you can afford as a van that don’t start everytime is gonna lose you work...

 

[telectrix]

buy a used toyota hiace. fit a bench seat behind bulkhead facing rearwards. still loads of room for tools etc. don't buy the pro-ace though, it's a froggy puggot in disguise. my hiace is a '04.196k on clock and i've spent 0, nowt,zilch, on repairs in the 3 years i've had it.

 

[Adam W]

I drive a Citroen Relay. It's alright, but if I was buying one myself I'd get one with air con. I wouldn't buy a Citroen car though. I have a Focus. It's good. I'm not keen on the Transit though, there I said it.
Mercedes might make enviable cars but their vans are rustbuckets.

Whatever you decide on get unglazed rear doors and deadlocks.

 

[Octopus]

Hi guys
I'm new to all this and starting my 2365 soon, but in the mean time and to help fund the course I'm selling my car. So I might as well replace it with a van.

Thing is this won't just be a work van. I still need to be able to carry my two kids around. So is need a crew cab/kombi. And I'd prefer isofix in the back.

Feel free to call me an idiot, but I'm tempted to get a camper and then fettle it a bit. Put the rock and roll bed on rails so it can be either at the front or back and make more space inside. Then it can be used as a work van or a family day van.

Do any of you drive a van that you use for every day family life?

Any advice welcome

Going to give us any clue as to how much you want to spend ?

 

[Dan Carroll]

My budget is 10k really.
I like Ford's but the interior is just a bit dull.

Might sound stupid but can you feasibly use a pick up with a top box and have access to all the gear with out it being a mess?

 

[MDJ]

My budget is 10k really.
I like Ford's but the interior is just a bit dull.

Might sound stupid but can you feasibly use a pick up with a top box and have access to all the gear with out it being a mess?

Not many Vans are attractive inside, but at 10K you are looking at an older van, it will have a few miles on the clock, still best of luck.

 

[Octopus]

PCP ?

 

[Octopus]

My budget is 10k really.

So that makes your budget £14k ....

It’s a business expense so you will pay less tax.

This year I bought a new van in January, and got the tax element sorted by July ....

You need to consider how you save for your tax bills and how best to fund a van .... not easy

 

[MDJ]

PCP ?

Thats a mistake, with PCP you are limited on mileage, anything over the agreed amount will cost a fortune, also Vans get scratched and damaged, another problem, when it is handed back the damage has to be paid for, cars and PCP, I can see that, but working mens Vans, no not in my view.

 

[Timbo]

Try Vauxhall Vivaro, I 've had mine for 3 years, taken it from 28k to 79k miles, only cost me for brakes and tyres, runs around fully loaded all the time.
2014 | 14 Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0 CDTi 115 2900 L2 H1 - http://www.northstarsussex.co.uk/used-van-vauxhall-vivaro-20-cdti-115-2900-l2-h1-918683

 

[Adam W]

£10k is a lot. If I were in your situation I'd be looking at spending up to about £2k for something small to get you and your tools/kids from A to B.

I've never bought a van, I've either commuted in my car or used a company van which is the best kind of van - unlimited business mileage, zero tax and insurance, free fuel and free servicing with a free loan vehicle when it's in the workshop.

 

[Rpa07]

Totally agree with @Timbo for vivaro idea, keep your eye out for the perfect crew cab and then solidly box in the back for security.

 

[Phil Thompson]

Renault Master crew van would be my thoughts, easy to get in and out of the rear, high enough to stand up in, and enough space in the rear as a vivaro van so can fit steps in easily, I have a 350 transit crew and it’s ok, but hard on fuel, and high at the rear so you need a step to make it anyways easy when you have more stuff than usual in it.

Remember also that space is harder to utilise with no side doors in factory crew vans.

 

[Midwest]

Hope those suggesting fitting a bench seat in the back of a vehicle not designed for such, and sitting two kids on it (seat belts?), will give suggestions on insurance and how to plea bargain, when you get pulled over by a droid.

 

[Andy78]

Hope those suggesting fitting a bench seat in the back of a vehicle not designed for such, and sitting two kids on it (seat belts?), will give suggestions on insurance and how to plea bargain, when you get pulled over by a droid.

Mine is a panel van converted with a bench seat. Done properly by a conversion company with genuine parts including approved seatbelts. Changed with DVLA to a 6 seater, and insured with a specialist company that give good rates to modified vans who are aware of all modifications.

 

[Midwest]

Mine is a panel van converted with a bench seat. Done properly by a conversion company with genuine parts including approved seatbelts. Changed with DVLA to a 6 seater, and insured with a specialist company that give good rates to modified vans who are aware of all modifications.

That's you crossed off my hit list.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

I did say to call me one

I was planing on avoiding them as well to be fair. Thinking either a transit, vito or transporter. Although I'm not paying the premium for a vw.

I used to drive a couple of Mercedes Sprinters. They were permanently fully loaded at 3.5T, were flogged hard every day and just kept on going, bar the usual wear and tear. At 9 years old when the lease was up, one had over 200K on the clock, the other nearer 300K, both still going strong but the bodywork was getting tatty. If the Vito is anything like the Sprinter, it will rust pretty quick but never skip a beat!

 

[Octopus]

I've got a kombi, it can be a 2 seater, 3 seater, 4 seater or 5 seater

M lord

 

[telectrix]

bloody gas guzzling vans. be environmentally friendly. buy one of these.

 

[elsparko]

buy en e46 m3 and tell your kids to walk, problem solved

 

[Phil Thompson]

@Midwest thats why I went with the factory crew van, though the 6th seat jumps the insurance way up in price.

 

[Midwest]

@Midwest though the 6th seat jumps the insurance way up in price.

Can't think why

 

[gazdkw82]

2009 RENAULT TRAFFIC 6 SEAT CREW VAN *DAY VAN * STUNNING TOP SPEC RARE VAN £5495 | eBay - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153142975925

Something like may be suitabke?

 

[Briggs69]

Had 10 berlingos never had a problem,that’said 3 seats in the front are a joke and looking for something bigger next

 

[MJPD29]

Ford transit connect unless you need a big van. Anything after 2014 has everything you'll need and not overpriced like VW

 

[Oldschool]

After a long line of vans I finally got a T5.1 VW Transporter Combi. It's got 3 seats in the back but they can be removed in seconds.Ive got a wooden bulkhead behind this and a tailgate. It a SWB so fits in any car park with 2.1m headroom. Yes you can fit your own back seat(I've done 2) but watch out it doesn't void your insurance.