Vans

[Nick Reeves 3055]

hi all,

im looking for some thoughts. ive started looking into possibilties for replacing my transit. i was focused on getting a lwb crafter. having read up on them via different website, i get the impression that there might be better offering for the same size of vehicle from fiat/pergeot. so those of you that drive vans, what do you drive, why is it good/bad, and what would you recommend?

cheers

nick

[Bob Thompson1894]

No contest. The Transit is the best beast for the job. Done 110,000 miles in mine since I got it at 29,000 miles (53 reg) and apart from tyres and brakes it has had a new steering pump and one fan belt. Never let me down, ever, and still never put even a pint of oil in it apart from a once a year service. Dont even know the caravan is on the back!

[Pat Marsden]

For me its the LWB Renault Master or Vauxhall Movano. I had the first one for around 6 yrs and 72000 miles( 2.5td Renault) and now have the 2.3cdti Vauxhall and they are great. I have towed twin axle caravans around the uk and its effortless. Combined with large capacity load space and comfortable driving position in my opinion its every bit as good as the makes you pay lots more for. In case you don't know the Master and Movano are built on the same production line along with the Nissan equivalent so are basically the same vehicle apart from a few cosmetic differences.

[Stuart Solomon]

Got to be either the Fiat Ducato or the Citroen Relay.Essentially the same vehicle just badge engineered. Last one I had did 197000 miles without any bother Got myself the short wheelbase Citroen at the moment, just like driving a big car. Solly.

[Bob Thompson1894]

Yes, but how reliable are these foreign jobbies? In eight years with my Transit, apart from brakes, tyres and bulbs, all I have replaced is a power steering pump and a fan belt. Whats the score with the Fiats and Citroens then?

[richard armstrong]

nice posts guys

i looking for a standard or Mwb transit at the mo,

a mate has his transit for 10 years 100K, has not missed a beat, "as long you service them regularly", his words,


now have a 4x4 but want a transit for the show season

[David Brown]

I have to say I am very pleased with my Toyota Hiace, I have a narrow drive and it was the only van to fit down it without messing about with the mirrors to miss the gates, I can get 8 x 4 plasterboard flat on the floor between the wheel wells and my Ziroli Dak just fits in and it is not the long wheel base.

Dave

[Nick Reeves 3055]

thanks for the the thoughts guys. i currently have a 55 plate mwb 350 90 transit and the only real problem ive had with it is the starter(s). i can now change one in about 15 mins!!
the van has only done 90k and it mechanically sound but the body work is starting to let it down. although it wont be just yet, im starting to look for the replacement now so i know what to get when the time comes. the new van will have to be a lwb as its going to have a second row of seats fitted and a partial conversion to a day camper for shows etc.

still searching for info

[John Greenfield]

My vote is for the Fiat Ducato. I have had Transits but they rust too much, changed to Merc Sprinters but too expensive to service and underpowered.
Brought a Ducato with the 160 motor and it is the best of the lot. Fast, easy to drive and economical. I have run it all over Europe regurarly clocking up over 1000 miles in a weekend and it has never missed a beat. It is also effortless towing my big model trailer.

John

[Bob Thompson1894]

a small point, Nick. I had extra seats in my Transit when I bought it, took them out as it increased the insurance a big jump.

[Stuart Solomon]

If you look at the standard Citroen Relay, it has the same power plant as the modern transit although the bodywork will last much much longer

[Rob Buckley]

If seats are a big thing, consider the Volkswagen Caravelle. It's the same van as the VW transporter, but is classed as a car so has car speed limits, car insurance (that I found was half the price of 'van' insurance for basically the same motor), proper removable seats with seatbelts etc...

[Bob Thompson1894]

They are lovely, Rob, but at £35,000 for a new one...

[Rob Buckley]

Not new ones for less money are available!

[Bob Thompson1894]

The way my finances are I will be looking at J reg Transits......

[richard armstrong]

Not new ones for less money are available!

saw one on autotrader 5.5k for a v reg 168K on the clock

not the cheapest

[Nick Reeves 3055]

i was actually contemplating a caravelle as a replacement for my wifes touran, but got another touran instead due to the cost of the caravelle, for the spec i wanted it was indeed going to be £35k+.
the second seats are important as the idea is that i will be able to transport the entire family as well as plenty of flying toys at the same time. i also want to do a partial conversion to a 2-3 berth camper that can fold away to allow the use of the vans size if i need to transport larger loads. trying to make it the most flexible multi purpose vehicle i can.
am now looking in the ducato more

[John Greenfield]

Nick

One other thing the Ducato and its clones have in their favour is they are slightly wider than the other vans (but still just fit through a 6' 6" width restriction). Being wider and not having sloping sides there is much more room inside them which is especially good if you are thinking of a partial conversion to a camper. They are also available at a range of plated weights below 3500kg so can be classed as cars with all the benefits that brings. Mine is plated at 3300kg which means car driving speeds are legal and also towing speeds are legally higher.

John

[Rob Buckley]

John, plating under 3.5ton doesn't automatically get 'car' limits, they're reserved for Escort/Astra type vans,

From the guv'ment...

Vans and ‘car-derived’ vans
Most vans are under 7.5 tonnes laden (loaded) weight and must follow the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight.

‘Car-derived’ vans weigh no more than 2 tonnes when loaded and are based on car designs, such as a Ford Fiesta van or Vauxhall Astra van. Check your log book under ‘body type’ if you’re not sure.

[Mike altham]

LWB vw t5 with 5 seats.

The back three are removable.

Only issue is the nimrod is to big so having to make a trailer.