recommend me a van...

[gavin]

looking to buy a van, dont know what to get. im looking for something that has a good load space, enough for two bikes, that drives well, so power steering etc would be good, and as im not going to do many miles per year in it im not looking to spend more than about £1200 - £1500..

looking on autotrader ive got a few options.....theres always the Transit......i like them, and they're cheap to buy and parts are cheap, but even the small ones are a bit big for what i want, its going to be parked on the road outside the house because the cars will be on the drive, and i think it might be a bit of an eyesore parked there...

from that point of view, something a little smaller would be better.....ive been told to look at a fiat scudo/peugeot partner/citroen dispatch, but they are fugly and i wonder about how solid they are...

others...

nissan vanette?

LDV Pilot? (heard they are shite to drive)

volkswagen transporter - i like these too, more like driving a car, almost as much room as a tranny, but dont seem as 'big' in silhouette (even though they are)


so can you guys and girls give me any pointers on these? whats good / bad etc about them, and any other options ive missed?


thanks

[G]

The SWB transits with low top are pretty small.
A newish one should drive quite nicely.

As you say, the small VW transporters do seem quite small.

Think the dispatch style may be a bit short for bikes?
The slightly longer vannetes and similar can hold two bikes a few bits and pieces fine.

I don't mind my LDV convoy for driving (dunno about the pilot) - it's not amazing, but is good considering it's a 3.5t GW, LWB HiTop that's bigger than the transit LWB.

[Finglonga]

Transit..You cant get better, they go on forever and have a footprint the size of a Mondeo so size wont be a problem. Plus you can use them as a camper van by just lobbing a matress in the back....Ah memories.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[gavin]

thanks guys.


the transit is looking likely, but has anyone got any experience with the Vanette?

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Mercedes Sprinter!

My mate got 2 bikes into the back of a Citreon Dispatch.........(CBR400 and an R6) Could be tight if you want to take ots of spares too though.
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[gavin]

anyone know what the transit model numbers refer to? ie 80, 100, 120, 160, 190? what level gets me electric windows and central locking? cant make sense of the ads on auto trader and i cant find the info anywhere......................

[NSR Mick]

I'm pretty sure the transit numbers are hp related.

what about a small pickup?
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[Phil_G]

[Itchy]

those transits scare the crap out of me , the 1st gear is too close to reverse , so the reverse lights come on for a moment at traffic lights ,
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[G]

Better than it being close to 4th .

[McJamweasel]

Whichever one you get, don't forget the sprayjob:

https://members.aol.com/cotsmm/ateam.gif
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[byke95]

[froggeh]

I had some vans , they were nice but came a bit loose at the heel

[Zimbo]

You'll struggle to get a decent transporter or vito for the money, they hold their value well.
Transit should be ok, don't get a rusty one though.
Not sure about the Nissan Vanette, but avoid the Serena - very very s - l - o - w and horrid suspension.

[Phil_G]

[DonTony]

I paid £1850 for a Ford Transit 120d 2.5 Ex-BT van about 6months ago 68,000 miles. Had no problems so far, the engine is in fantastic order. Bt alway's look after there vans and you'll alway's get a fsh with it. So if it's going to be a Transit then go for an Ex-BT.

It will also carry 2 big bikes in the back comfortabley

[scoota bk]

For that kinda money you should get an OK mk5 tranny. Personally I don't get the whole ex-BT thing, they usually sell for a good wack more than any other 2nd hand transit. Yeh ok BT may service their vans well but it's still been ragged about during the day by someone who doesn't give a toss as they don't own it. IMO you're better off with something privately owned. Transits are very prone to rusting, but nothing that a waxoil/welding can't sort.

Also if ya can avoid, don't go for a low roof. I was tempted to get one at first, but ended up with a semi-high and I'm glad I have it as I can be in the back of the van without breaking my back!

Oh and once you get used to driving a van any car feels like a mini

[virus]

if you can, get a hi-top, they are much easier to work with.

out of the petrol transit vans:
300S
300M
300L
330S
330M
330L
350M
350L

S/M/L relates to the wheelbase

and the diesel vans:
260S
280S
280M
300S
300M
300L
330S
330M
330L
350M
350L
350E (extended frame, dual rear tyre configuration)

I'd recomend the diesel 330M Hi-top, my dad has one for all his work gear and theres plenty enough room in them, it has central locking, power steering, imobiliser, electric windows, parking distance sensors and it goes some when you need it to.
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Ant]

[Phil_G]

[virus]

I dont know what mk number they represent but I believe my dads van is a 2001, I think he got it second hand for about £1000, its in imaculate condition aswell.

HTH
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[scoota bk]

Found this mk4 Transit on ebay for ya -









https://i8.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/79/c4/b1e8_1_b.JPG


https://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/79/c4/b514_1.JPG

[Phil_G]

[Ant]

i dont believe you can get an immaculate 2001 transit for £1000 i sold mine cheap at £4000 about 3 months ago and the very cheapest (with high milage) i've seen is over £3000
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[Phil_G]