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Small shit vans - Advice in what is there and what to avoid


SiC

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So I keep having the thought that having a Van would be a rather useful vehicle to own. Man maths (best mate and father-in-law agree too but wife doesn't) say that something small would be great for my RC flying hobby, DIY jobs and generally moving stuff around. I'm thinking small vans, like the Kangoo, Berlingo/Partner or even the Suzuki Carry/Diahatsu Hijet as easier to store, easier to park and cheap to buy.

 

How useful is this size van? Can they useful be used for the odd sofa/bed/table moving or too small?

 

What is there around and what should I look out for? Budget is £notalot - ideally sub £500! Is this realistic? Ideally with an electrical problem that makes it cheap! (I do like a good bargain)

 

Apart from the above is there any other possible others or suggestions? Looking around, there doesn't seem to be many old vans (older than 1990) - not even when paying more. Would rather fancy something older too as more interesting.

 

Berlingo/Partners/Kangoos are all on the list - ideally petrols (lower tax as smaller engines) as it'll do low miles anyway but not many around. Suzuki Carry and Diahatsu Hijet I really quite fancy due to their size, practicality and quirkyness, but I'm guessing they're horrible on fast A-roads and the motorway? They seem pretty expensive for what they are though, especially as many are very rusty.

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Get a Berlingo/partner 1.4 multispace/combi as it'll have the same space as the van but you can still use it as a car if needed.

I did think that but van insurance for the year is £200 on a new policy, while a car is £350-400 for the year. Also my strange mind sees the van version much more acceptable to own than the car equivalents! Can you fit bulkheads still to the car equivalents?

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I'm a big fan of the Berlingo, have currently got one in window / car FLAVA and have previously had one in van FLAVA.

 

Not much to know really, most don't seem to rust, engines are pretty hardy and everything else mechanical is based on the 306 / ZX / Xsara so basic and cheap to fix. 

 

 

Watch out for:

 

Wonky back axles - lots of negative camber on one or both wheels at the back means you need a new axle, this is about £300 for a refurb axle, maybe £500 fitted. 

 

Most vans I've seen have lock issues, particularly with the back door.

 

Vans get treated badly and the interiors ming hard after a decent stretch of use as a commercial.

 

As per Ruffgeezer I'd have to say get a multispace, the rear seats can be fully removed with 4 x T40 Torx bolts to give you the same space as the van version.

 

Possibly slightly more as the multispace front seat slides forward whereas the van one tips with a big fixed base.

 

Could probably fit a 2 seater sofa in with the seats out.

 

Or:

 

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post-17573-0-32991600-1477495814_thumb.jpg

 

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The c15 is a good all round van. Brakes are dire, rust and wonky rear beams are par for course and no pas unless it's the higher payload. Tows OK and I had low 40s mpg. The escort was better at towing but only just, pas and better lights and brakes. Also better mpg. C15s are a bit tricky to find now, a semi decent one anyway. Escorts are a bit easier to find and a bit cheaper. Also hold up well in a crash.....

Berlingo/partner/scudo seems to be ten a penny ad I've seen them from immaculate to mot by post and they seem to hold value OK too. Doubt you will lose out in all honesty. I've only had a c15 and escort van so they are my experiences.

C15 had slightly better load capacity being taller but the escort was longer. The escort also helped me move house.

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I applaud the idea, and it's something I would have no hesitation doing, but with one proviso: if your local council tip is anything like mine, they won't let you in with a van.  You may have to buy a licence, which might be any amount they care to name, or you might just get turned away flat.  Hence the extremely practical reserve position: Volvo 740 estate.

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I applaud the idea, and it's something I would have no hesitation doing, but with one proviso: if your local council tip is anything like mine, they won't let you in with a van. You may have to buy a licence, which might be any amount they care to name, or you might just get turned away flat. Hence the extremely practical reserve position: Volvo 740 estate.

Good call on tip thing. Looks like I can get a free permit in Bristol - https://www.bristol.gov.uk/bins-recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres-permit-scheme

 

Limit is 12 visits per year, which is probably sufficient for my use.

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On the same line as Mr ramrod, Zafira A? Their huge inside, and are a disastra so normal orl vauxhall jokes apply, but their cheap to fix. Most have already had their back seats destroyed by children now anyway so their worth about 50p and you can just bin the seats! There's always a few on Auto Trader near me for £2/300,when I did the cambelt in the meriva I bookmarked one incase I fucked it up as a backup plan

 

A 1.6/1.8 pez shouldn't do too wrong, no idea about the diesel ones, probably nothing special either

 

Or I can vouch for a xantia estate, fucking cavernous. Xm even more so but your going very much the other way cost wise

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Combo 1.7, Berlingo (not 1.6HDI, obvs) or a Kangoo (petrol) in that order.

I really don't think I could own a Corsa or anything based on one. Even though I have all the diagnostic leads and tools for them, I just really dislike the Corsa C. Pretty inexpiable why really. Not least the MiL owns a 5dr one.

 

What are the 1.9D n/a Kangoos like? Far more of them around than the petrols in vans.

 

I'll only be doing 3k to 4k p/a, so engine reliability isn't too much of a worry as unlikely* to grenade if bought running reasonably (probably).

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The 1.5DCi is actualy a cracking engine, it's just they will grenade themselves (fuel pump and injectors) at some point. The 1.9 is a bit slow but to be fair seem pretty reliable.

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Also consider the Doblo, a friend has one (JTD/car version) has been reliable as far as I know. 
 

Slightly bigger than the Berlingo inside. 

 

Bollox had one in n/a 1.9D flavour once upon a time, don't think it gave him any grief.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-doblo-cargo-/361986978134?hash=item54481af156:g:sKwAAOSw-3FZIx6H

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On the same line as Mr ramrod, Zafira A? Their huge inside, and are a disastra so normal orl vauxhall jokes apply, but their cheap to fix. Most have already had their back seats destroyed by children now anyway so their worth about 50p and you can just bin the seats! There's always a few on Auto Trader near me for £2/300,when I did the cambelt in the meriva I bookmarked one incase I fucked it up as a backup plan

 

A 1.6/1.8 pez shouldn't do too wrong, no idea about the diesel ones, probably nothing special either

 

Or I can vouch for a xantia estate, fucking cavernous. Xm even more so but your going very much the other way cost wise

Zafira A no way! The Astra G seats (which the Zafira obviously shares) anilate my back! Plus if I was doing MPV, I'd have to be (another) Scenic II - I have a strange fascination with those.

 

The thinking behind having a Van version is the much cheaper insurance and the ability to plyline & bulkhead the back. Kinda got a WPCGW on vans though which is never good thing...

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Zafira A no way! The Astra G seats (which the Zafira obviously shares) anilate my back! Plus if I was doing MPV, I'd have to be (another) Scenic II - I have a strange fascination with those.

 

The thinking behind having a Van version is the much cheaper insurance and the ability to plyline & bulkhead the back. Kinda got a WPCGW on vans though which is never good thing...

Ah well yes, you probably won't get on with a Zafira then! Although I imagine hammering nails all over it to fit ply lining would be quite satisfying.

 

I saw a peugeot partner driving through chinnor last week, 55 plate with one back wheel on the proper wonk, so it's not just the old old ones it affects.

 

Ldv pilot? I reckon lanky Tim's mother in law would give you one for free...

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Zafira A no way! The Astra G seats (which the Zafira obviously shares) anilate my back! Plus if I was doing MPV, I'd have to be (another) Scenic II - I have a strange fascination with those.

 

The thinking behind having a Van version is the much cheaper insurance and the ability to plyline & bulkhead the back. Kinda got a WPCGW on vans though which is never good thing...

 

The non sports seats on Astra G/Zafira A kill everyones back, horrible things. im fit as a fiddle physically with no back issues but was always in agony after getting out of my Astra!

 

Combo would be my choice, yes its Corsa C based, but parts are cheap, they are easy to fix, relatively reliable, reasonably ok interior for a van, and the higher roof is practical. An old 1.7 DTi one should be bulletproof, go quite well and be cheap to run, and no DMF, DPF etc shit to worry about. 

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attachicon.gifScreenshot_20170522-103912.png

 

D'oh.

attachicon.gifScreenshot_20170522-212845.png

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232344032697

 

Berlingo/Partner locks seem very cheap on eBay - how hard are they to change? Surely pretty straightforward.

 

The lock barrels are easy peasy, there just held in with a big clip thing and can be wrangled out pretty easily.

The back doors however also have a selection of rods and stuff which get mangled so the lock barrel isn't necessarily the end of the story.

 

 

Make sure any Corsa combo has had the modified gear shift joint with the metal rather than plastic ends, takes about 10 minutes fiddling to fit it and saves a world of grief trying to drive home with only 2 gears.

 

This reminds me: I also had a Corsa B shape Combo once. GR12, vegtastic, however that did happen and I drove from east of Grantham home to Nottingham in 4th gear only.

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