I need to buy a van for my business but am not at all up to speed on what's reliable, OK to drive, economical etc...
It needs to be Transit ish (proper Transit not those tiny Connect things) size.
It needs to be able to tow from time to time without needing to thrash it to death.
Oh and it does not need to be white.. 
Budget of £10K ish..
So what to buy and what to avoid?
Thanks in advance,
Mike
There are going to be fans of every make however,
We need a van for aour buiness, had problems with VW transporters, (expensive problems) problems with vivaro's (even more expensive) bought a
high top (2 year old) x coca cola transit 3 years ago total spend to date, tyres and brake pads, never missed a beat, next one will be same again.
Great on fuel too.
I'm currently looking for a Toyota Hiace (<£2.5k though) they look to be pretty good according to my research.
HTH
Neil
I'd get a Vivaro/Trafic as they drive brilliantly, are very comfortable, economical and tow excellently (took toy car from Paddock Wood to
Emerald in Norfolk and you'd have not known the trailer was attached.
If I hadn't of been able to find a newer Espace, I'd have got a lwb Vivaro Crewcab
ATB
Simon
i have a Vivaro and use it everyday as my car.. looked at the new transit and due to pump failures and other problems i'm pleased i got what i
have... shame to see that someone has had bad issues with a T5 as that was the only other i was going to get...
the 2.0 trafic/ vivaro have injector issues like not being able to get them out.. so if you do go for one check that it has been done in the history..
Hi
I would recommend diesel transit
Bought ours new in 2001 never a hicup until last year
when the diesel pump went.has 74,000 miles on it now
& still pulls like a train , its a 280 swb td 100si
selling it now as we no longer have the business, only kept it to tow the trailer with our kit car , it tows great.
For that budget you should get a good low mileage one.
Good luck.
René
[Edited on 2/2/14 by renetom]
Google vivaro gearbox.
google transit problem over vivaro problem... I wouldn't change my van for anything.. My MK would go before my van
I've broken one vivaro gearbox, but the replacement has taken a whole load of abuse no problem. And they are nice to drive and tow with. However if the fan belt snaps it takes out the timing belt, which seems a poor design.
quote:
Originally posted by doobrychat
google transit problem over vivaro problem... I wouldn't change my van for anything.. My MK would go before my van
<- smiley.
If I was spending my own cash it would be a transit without question. Yes it has issues but for a van thats easy to work on comfortable economical and drives well it takes some beating. If you want a vacuum cleaner its a" Hoover". You want a van its a"transit"
I use a Nissan NV200 and it's been brilliant. Never towed with it, so don't
know about that side of things. It will take 2 euro pallets in the back, sliding
load doors both sides, removable cab to load bulkhead. Options include
combo version, full seating version, half and full windows. They have even
made and tested a full electric version. Very tight turning circle and apparently
conforms to taxi requirments. Air con, satnav, bluetooth all available too.
Worth a look.
i bought my van cheap and did the work and a few upgrades... i can assure you my Mk will go long long before my van gearbox does... hehe
I brought a 52 plate transit about 5 years ago 'cos I was warned off getting one with the common rail type injection system and I'm glad I did. 180k now and it's never missed a beat and parts are so bloody cheap, I would have no problem in buying another one.
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
quote:
Originally posted by doobrychat
google transit problem over vivaro problem... I wouldn't change my van for anything.. My MK would go before my van
Your Vivaro gearbox will let go before your MK that's for sure...............
Van snobbery, don't you just love it............................
My dad was an avid Merc bloke and has always run Merc vans....until the last few years. His Sprinter-sized truck has dissolved (a 2006) and his vans
(2002-2006) have all let him down. Engines that render themselves scrap with 'Black Death' and bodywork that rusts just for fun.
All vans have their supporters but for reliability and cheapness for spares when they do go wrong, I'd buy a Transit.
Anyone ever run a Peugeot van? parner/boxer/etc?
Mercedes sprinter
Everything else is dog turd
quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
Anyone ever run a Peugeot van? parner/boxer/etc?
quote:got a mate who thinks like that too....
Originally posted by BangedupTiger
Mercedes sprinter
Everything else is dog turd
quote:
Originally posted by BangedupTiger
Mercedes sprinter
Everything else is dog turd
Hi
I am Fleet Administrator of a fleet of 250 vans - 235 SWB Medium roof Transits and 15 Sprinters (which we have had alarming numbers of electrical
problems with).
We have recently undergone a review of all vans and have chosen once again the Transit, we find it is a good reliable van and parts when they are
needed are readily available, there is not a van in the market place that does not have some inherent problem or other and there are good and bad with
them all so it really is ‘you pays your money you takes your choice’.
My experiences would say from the 56 plate model change when the ECU gave huge issues (any van with the problem would have had it resolved) the only
year that we seem to have had the most issues was 12 plate.
Ford has easily replaceable and affordable parts and in my experience the van gives good reliable service and will tow your car easily.
We personally have a 3T SWB medium roof transit which we towed the race car with for 4 years and also doubled up as garage and sleeping quarters, my
husband uses it for work and it is still used as the shunt vehicle when we want to move the trailer around or are only at circuit for the day, it
starts 1st turn of the key every time even when it has stood for a few weeks and has only needed routine maintenance.
My pen'uth
Regards
Heather
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
There are going to be fans of every make however,
We need a van for aour buiness, had problems with VW transporters, (expensive problems) problems with vivaro's (even more expensive) bought a high top (2 year old) x coca cola transit 3 years ago total spend to date, tyres and brake pads, never missed a beat, next one will be same again. Great on fuel too.
transit for me , all my vans av been tranys ,tryed citreon relay 3.5t never again , they turn to chocolate as soon as you show em any work , not fit for purpose
I've done a lot of towing with the transit and have to say they're great and able BUT and Here is the BIG BUT. It has been pointed out to me
that the ones we have used in the past few years ALL are FWD and as such the towing weight is around 1000kg. So for a trailer and race car your
breaking the rules.
See here for some idea of what I mean.
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/trailers-towing-gross-vehicle-weights-and-more-legal-stuff
quote:
Originally posted by omega 24 v6
I've done a lot of towing with the transit and have to say they're great and able BUT and Here is the BIG BUT. It has been pointed out to me that the ones we have used in the past few years ALL are FWD and as such the towing weight is around 1000kg. So for a trailer and race car your breaking the rules.
See here for some idea of what I mean.
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/trailers-towing-gross-vehicle-weights-and-more-legal-stuff
Yes they can, but best to be aware that for the size of van they are the can't all tow big loads legally. Even an empty trailer with a high gross weight is a no no.