Van buying advice

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Hello chaps,

Been thinking about buying a van, something reasonably cheap and cheerful, for maybe under a £1000. Although I have sort of picked that figure out of thin air.

Would I be able to get a reasonable van for that? Thinking about something like a Transit but anything really as long as I can fit at least two MX bikes in there although three would be nice.

I saw this on Ebay today, didn't look particularly hard as am just thinking about it but that seems a reasonable price for a van with a long MOT.

Is there anything in particular I should be looking for? Also, I know it depends on the individual, but what is insurance like on this type of vehicle?
That's about it really.

Thanks.

michael j · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Karma :

That seemed like a good deal on the Transit and is exactly the sort of thing I'll be looking for when I sell my current Transit. Also consider VW Transporter, a better drive and bargains can be found.
You don't want to spend a little bit more and buy mine do you?
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Ducati 996

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

I have become a bit of a Transit connoisseur over the past year, so bear with me.

You will fit 2 MX bikes and a bit of gear even in a low roof SWB, so anything bigger is a bonus.

For that money, don't consider anything but a Transit, you really can't beat them. Backbone of Britain and all that, and for a reason.

Aim for the smiley grill one, known to the geeks as the Mk5. Availible from 95 ish to 2001 ish. Obviously the later the better, as Transits main stumbling point is rust.

I am learning, that its all repairable, but helps if you are handy with a welder yourself to do it on the cheap. If you want no issues with rust, then go for the most rust free one from the off, and keep on top of rust protection/removal.

Bad areas for rust include:
-Bottom of the back doors.
-Inner/outer door sills and footsteps (Remove the trim if necessary to get a good luck)
-Floor
-Inner/Outer wheel arches (the outer will be obvious, the inner not so much.
-Shock absorber mounts.
-Front crossmember.
-Underneath generally, get on the ground on your back and go crawling looking for it, crossmembers etc.

With the floor and the arches, if its ply lined, make sure you get a look below/behind the ply as it hides a multitude of sins.

They come in either petrol or diesel, the diesel comes turbo or normally aspirated, normally aspirated is gutless (particularly on hills) but simpler and more reliable.

I'd recommended the diesel one way or the other, as the lump is solid and can return reasonable fuel consumption (non turbo). Biggest thing to check is the cam belt, if it hasnt been done, then either walk away, or do it yourself immediately you get it home. If it fails however, its often simple to repair, but slightly pricier than simple changing the belt. It's a simple enough job with a haynes manual (If I can do it, anyone can)

If the oil filter shows signs that its been on their for years, forget it, you want ideally someone who has been bothered to change the oil.

If it's a good starter from cold, this is a bonus, as quite a few can be a bit reluctant, just seems to be a feature.

Look for excessive play in the steering, if its too excessive, will probably need a new rack.

If the clutch feels dodgy/judders, then could be an indicating of either it being worn out, or the rear crankshaft oil seal leaking (which is common) again not major issues, all repairable for reasonable money, but good to not have the issue their straight away.

A good feel from the gearbox is a bonus, but replacement boxes are cheap as chips and plentiful, so not a major issue.

If you buy one, aim for one with more than one key, ideally to include the red master key. The 95+ models have coded keys linked to immobiliser system, you can't start it without the key, and getting a new set cut and coded is probably the most expensive thing I am looking at doing (£80-150 for a new set of keys from scratch).

The 3 point centre sealbelt on the bench seat, is not repairable or changeable. So if it doesnt work, you will be looking at a new seat.

Your example from ebay, looks fairly typical, check all of the above and go from there. He doesn't give much away with his description, but the mileage is very acceptable, mine has 220k.

I paid £780 for mine, and have slowly discovered all the niggling problems, but repaired it mostly for not much cost apart from my labour time. Total including purchase price is still under 1k.

Spares are cheap and plentiful, and there are lots of pattern parts about.

The transit forum is a great place for advice.

If you need any more advice, drop me a PM.

Hope this helps.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Cheers chaps Thumbs Up

Wildgoose that is some great info, thanks Very Happy

Mike, yours is far too nice and will be out of my price range Sad

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

For the scrotes and everyone else....

OMG TRANSIT FTW. Thumbs Up

Garry, Tits, Punch, Coat, Door, Gone.

kthnx.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

R6jonny · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Karma :

If you get one Joe can me and Wave2k borrow it to get to the 'Ring ??? pretty please
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Honda NSR125 - Yamaha R6 - Ducati 748 - Suzuki GSXR750K6/GSXR1000K7/GSXR750K8 - Ducati 848 - Honda SP1 - Triumph Daytona 675
"simply because she is a female and is thus her actions largely make no sense whatsoever by default"

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Just remember a transit will require van insurance (commercial) rather than car so will in general cost you a lot more, especially if you're young.

If you only need to put a couple of MX bikes in you could consider getting a cheap MPV like an espace. You'd get an alright one for less than a van, cheaper to insure and with the rear seats out you can get bikes in the back, I've seen a fully faired NC30 go in one comfortably, am sure 2 MX bikes might go in depending on height.

Ant · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Karma :

pho, i've had vans on a car policy (escort,combo,scudo &transit), that was with cis. i use evan insurance now for buisness use (you can still have social,domestic and pleasure tho)
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04 ZX10R ~

Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

I've had vans on a car policy too (Norwich Union), but some insurers (Directline) wouldn't touch me because of my age and the type of vehicle. Presumably because they think you're lying and you're going to use it for commercial use.

nrml76 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Karma :

If it is just to ferry MX bikes across the country, why not just buy a trailer? Surely it would work out cheaper in every way.
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Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies has lived. We take these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

nrml76 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Karma :

Ah I see. I assumed you had a car also.
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Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies has lived. We take these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

Agreed, van's are far better and safer for towing as well, so you can have the best of both worlds if you wanted.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

I'd reccomend a Fiat Scudo (or Peugeot expert/citroen dispatch.. all the same) you can get a 1.9D or maybe a TD for that money, but it'll be a bit scruffy... can get 3 mx bikes in the back at a very tight squeeze.. 2 and gear comfortably.. 2 sports bikes at a squeeze..

I've got a 01 1.9 JTD and it's been very reliable (so far!) its comfy and fast, spacious and suprisingly nice to drive (it's like a car) the older non-turbos in your price range are apparantly really slow though.... I wouldn't fancy a tooo old french/italian car either... but if you can stretch to about £2/£2.5k you'll get a nicer JTD or HDI model around 01/02 year.

Only thing with them is little things tend to go wrong every now and then.. I've had to fix the central locking twice so far, once the speedo went weird then fixed itself, and the door check strap is knackered, but that's just tiny easy to fix things.... plus point is GSF Car parts sell lots of cheap parts so fixing is usually cheap and easy.

IMO with vans it's better to wait and spend the extra to get something half-decent as in my experience a cheap van is more hassle than it's worth as I know from 1st hand experience how workers treat them.... some of our companies 06 fiat ducatos are in a terrible state already Sad

I waited AGES and managed to get a 1 owner from new van in good condition and it was defnietly worth the wait.

Oh you can also get into NCP car parks and parking is easy as its no longer, wider or bigger than a car.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

Can't say I agree with your recommendations, but you make a good point about how workers treat vans, goes for any commercial vehicle that is used daily by people who don't hold responsibility for them. They get run into the ground and generally treated like crap, why close the door like a normal person when you can slam it with a steel toe cap boot?

Mine was an ex-builders van, so probably the worst choice you can make for a van to be well looked after, but i've still found it all fixable for a reasonable price. Comes down to cost, if you can afford it, buy the best you can, but in the lower price ranges under 1k, you simply can't be too fussy unless you want to go half way across the country.

Can get a SWB tranny in all the same spaces you can get a car, pretty much, apart from multi-storey car parks probably Wink

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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

Agreed about the noise, and the slowness Laughing

. Above 60mph you will want to die most probably, and mine still has the noise insulation in the engine bay!

The newer transits Mk6 (2000 on) and Mk7 are much better in this respect as they are more like a car, but I hate them because of this fact. They have no character or soul and If I wanted to drive my car, I would. Front wheel drive in a van is wang as well, although makes the clutch easier to change apparently.

As for slow, simply read this as economical Laughing

The non turbo diesels like mine wouldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding, but don't take this to mean they won't /pull/. It'll get you there, up a 10% hill, towing 2 tons etc. As long as you are patient enough to let it. Probably utilising first gear at some point Laughing

Your vauxhalls, fiats, citroens, peugeot etc, all fine when new, but will fall apart in front of your eyes, and be ready for replacement after 3 years. Probably why contract hiring these kind of vans is more the done thing for most van owners these days.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Agreed on them falling apart.. My Fiat is fine, but I've had to fix quite a few little things Rolling Eyes

it doesn't cost much or take much time, but it's kinda annoying when random bits fall off Laughing

it's really nothing serious (not yet anyways Laughing

) so hasn't put me off.

Goose does your transit have any loud rattles on idle? not from engine but from trim and stuff? One of our work ones, I can't drive the thing more than about 5 minutes because it makes sooooooo much rattling noises from the bulkhead, trim and seats that it gives you a headache...

I forgot something but you should pick up a Volkswagen Transporter T4 for about £1500 in okay condition.. I couldn't reccomend them enough to be honest.. I loved mine, had to sell it because I had money problems and needed to sort myself out. But it was amazingly reliable, I had a 2.5 TDI LWB which would fit loads of stuff in it and I'd happily drive that just about anywhere. You should get a 1.9TD SWB for £1500 in fair condition.. they last forever and the build quality was really good IMO. The 2.5TDI goes really well.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

I've sorted the seats by removing most of the pointless plastic trim, and I only have a small wooden bulkhead that I built myself.

Most of the trim from the cab has been removed as it mostly just gets in the way, and most of the screws have long fallen out.

I try to keep it as minimalist as possible, and its also less to remove when you wanna fiddle with something Laughing

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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

Fahim · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Karma :

How would you secure the bike in the back of the van though?, are there special types of ropes or something that you use to tie them down etc?

Might come in handy if i ever want to go and collect a new motorbike and if i ain't insured i can take it in the back of my dads LT35 MWB.
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Current Bike: CBR125 ---> Written off Theory Test Passed: ---> 8/04/08 ---> A2 Test Booked:8/05/08 - Failed to turn up (had an accident and broke my leg in 3 places!)

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

Most vans have some tie down rings in the back that bolt through the floor or similar. Easy to make/buy if not. Then you can use ratchet straps or ropes to hold the bike in place, and bits of wood braced crossways to act as wheel chocks.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

pits · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Karma :

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

In the large majority, people selling vans are lieing, blagging, no-good scum. This makes it interesting finding the right one, with so many advertised as good, or even not-too-bad being vehicles you wouldn't want to sit in, never mind drive.
Maybe it's just me, but I've been to see a hell of a lot of vans that massively worse than described, even when on the phone I've gone through things that they've said are fine and are totally knackered when I get there.

At this sort of price, I'd probably just be looking for one in decent nick near to you for the price.

My SWL lot-top transit managed to get an SV650, GSXR750Y1 and 675 in at once, along with jerry cans, tools and the like. Was rather a squeeze. Consider the height for dirt bikes - though I think the CCM fitted in on the SM wheels, so most trail bikes should be ok as that's pretty tall even with the SM wheels.
Get one with a tow bar if you think you might need some /serious/ bike transportation.

Oh and I could do first and second gears doughnuts in the tranny too Very Happy

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