- This topic has 8 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Hi
At the mo im in a Vivaro (Vauxhall). but it is not mine…Whats the best van out there in terms of resale value, efficiency and economy?
❓ ❓Re: Best Van to buy?
Not a lot in it really.
Depends on what size you are looking for, whether you want the same size again with all the running costs and parking difficulties or go for the Berlingo Kangoo size.
There are bargains to be had as I bought 2 Puegeot Partners this year, for around £6495 each inc tax and delivery charges etc. We have 3 Ford Transit Connect with the side opening door as well, very good vans but they chew up front tyres in about 8k due to a steering fault that Ford has chose to ignore. Hence going Puegeot.
I never look towards selling costs, (Residuals) as by the time we change them they have done all I need, and if I can get a few hunderd, then that will do. I’ve got a 1999 Ford Courier (Small Fiesta type thing) for sale. Serviced every 7k, spent some money on it in the last few months on rear suspension etc. Good little van though, done about 147k Tax Mot £395 + vat if anyone is interested.
Alex
Re: Best Van to buy?
I just bought a Fiat Doblo, although it’s not new. They do it with a new 16 valve multijet diesel which is supposed to be the bees knees on fuel economy but also still manages 70bhp. I’ve only had mine a few weeks but I have had one problem, the passenger side windscreen wiper balljoint keeps popping out of its socket. The Doblo is made in Turkey though, which is not exactly confidence inspiring.
Re: Best Van to buy?
Phidom,
Apologies in advance, having worked wiyhin vehicle sales, the general opinion is that the Doblo is so called, because it sounds like Italian Leggo.
Sorry, most humble apologies etc etc. 😳
In my not so vast experience of vans I put forward the case for the Renault Kangoo, will carry three washing machines (WFO2467) we have had six and all of them have done over 100k with minimal and skant regard for the rules of servicing. My 02 reg vehicle is coming close to 180k within the next few weeks and looking back I can find servicing and repairs to the tune of £690. The new common rail turbo diesels are really good on fuel and the guys like them because, “They are little flying machines” They will be replaced by new ones soon. In the past we have used Ford, Leyland, VW Vauxhall and others. These are the best we have had. :tup:Re: Best Van to buy?
I’ve just bought a Doblo too. It has the new 1.3l multijet engine but is not as ecomonical as they would lead you to believe. I struggle to get 37MPG from it.
I went for the basic version as the price was right and it fits the bill for me but I would have preferred side loading doors. Beggars can’t be choosers.. It was a very good price. Last year’s plate but only 4 miles on the clock and only £4995.
It has an annoying design fault… The interior light will not come on when the front doors are opened if the ignition has been off for more that 20 minutes! Apparently it is because it does not have cenrtral locking and the body computer hibernates after a short while and won’t wake up until the key is put in the ignition. Not much use on these dark nights.
Fiat says there is nothing they can do but I intend to rewire the thing as the rear door DOES actuate the interior lights???The other problem is the lack of electric windows. I can’t reach the passenger door without taking my seatbelt off.
That aside it is a great little van. Drives a dream and is very roomy and comfortable. Bloody ugly though!
You can see my van on my homepage at http://www.seniko.co.uk
Bob
Re: Best Van to buy?
It all comes down to budget and what size van you want really, personally i am on my second vw transporter, and when the time comes i will buy another.
Re: Best Van to buy?
It is definitely a case of horses for courses . I dont beleive in using a sledgehammer to crack a nut . A 5 cwt hi-top van is adequate for my job . I never buy a new van myself . In the past I had a Renault Extra [ brilliant ], a ford courier , not so good , although I later came to the conclusion it had been clocked and done very high mileage . My current van is a Citroen C15D . No power steering , no electric windows , And I love it . Comfortable and easy to drive , good MPG even round town . Tyres , even front ones , seem to last forever . Flying machine , no but fast enough to meet the speed limits which is good enough for me . I bought mine a year ago {Y reg ] for £2400 , and he took in my knackered Courier to pay the VAT . Economical , smart and reliable . Well happy .
Re: Best Van to buy?
Blimey – someone who loves a C15!
Where I used to work we had a fleet of the damn things, they were very reliable mechanically ‘cos theyre so basic (it is a Visa with a box welded on the back) they were just so flimsy – great for short distances but can give you serious back ache if youre tall & driving any distance and you certainly don’t want to be driving fast in one because it will desintegrate if you crash it (as me and several of my former colleagues found out!)
I managed to clock up 150k miles without a single breakdown before the boss upgraded to Berlingos, they are cheap as chips and citroen have been building C15s for 20+ years now – but i’d go for the Berlingo/Partner HDI.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.