Small white van for under a grand...?

[Largactil]

I'd like to draw on the collective pool of Autoshite knowledge for this... I know naff all about commercial vehicles, and I understand a few on here work 'in the industry'.

 

A non-petrolhead mate has e-mailed me looking for a 'small white van for under a grand' - No other prerequisites, other than tax & MOT for a year.

 

(I think he'd settle for a long MOT and tax it himself, if the price was right...)

 

He runs an eBay business from home, for small bits & bobs, so don't think he needs a Transit-size vehicle - Immediate thoughts are Berlingo / Courier / Inca / Caddy...?

 

Any top tips?

[dollywobbler]

Berlingo's are ok but many have been thrashed and neglected. They are cheap and I actually like driving them. VW Caddy isn't bad either but they're the only ones I've driven myself.

 

To be honest though, why doesn't he just buy an estate? One car fits all. Or a Maxi in that case. Five cars in one...

[Spiny Norman]

First thought is 'does he actually need a van'?

Given how badly a cheap white van is likely to have been treated, why doesn't he just get himself a Focus estate or something similar?

[Ross_K]

A berlingo/partner with the DW8 engine?

 

Horrible driving position but cheap as chips and a model of reliability compared to the Kangoo

[meggersdog]

Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra with limo tints and the seats out ?

[Danblez]

There is an obvious shiters choice, Citroen C15.

[scruff]

Citroen C15 - they rust but I could not fault mine and it never broke down. 40-50mpg. Ancient underpinnings = bombproof.

XUD engine, decent load area, great ride for a van, lack of power steering could be a problem for some I guess but one thing less to go wrong.

Van dealers tend to want quite a lot for them but plenty around on eBay etc for under a grand.

[garethj]

The Autoshite choice of champions is an LDV, bound to be knackered by now, it was when it was new.

 

Agree with the idea of a car instead, a boxy Volvo estate might be huge enough, and you're likely to get a decent one for a grand. If he needs height then maybe a Discovery, or as a recent thread on here shows, an old Fairway taxicab because all the London ones are being sold off

[face]

Felicia Estate, diesel.

 

Back seats out

[Mr Lobster]

I think the biggest problem will be finding a decent one thats not utterly shagged tbh.

 

But if you can find one then - VW Caddy / SEAT Inca, Kangoo 1.9D (none turbo) Escort, Astravan, Renault Extra, Citroen C15.

[Micrashed]

DW8 engine?

God, No.

DW10 or XU9D, but try and avoid the DW8. Gutless.

 

Personally I would be inclined to go the ex MPV route if possible (Blingo, Partner, 806, Synergie Et Al)

Sell the rear seats on ebay and then fill it with all manner of stuff, plus you wont get charged if you take it down the tip with stuff.

[Largactil]

Thanks folks!

 

Whilst, as a 'shiter, I'd happily roll in a C15 / old Fairway FX4, I fear it may be a step too far for his 'street cred'... Aherm.

 

He needs the height for the load apparently, so Slocus Estate's and the like are OOT.

 

(Just remembered another mate was selling an Inca on F*cebook the other month, with a slight starting issue for £400. Bugger).

 

I'll steer my chap in the direction of a Caddy / Inca, or maybe a Courier at a push...

 

Like this? Or is OMG TURBO FAIL an issue?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-FORD-FIESTA-COURIER-50-TD-VAN-WHITE-FULL-MOT-96K-CLEAN-SMART-LITTLE-VAN-/290766198671?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item43b304178f

[Largactil]

Personally I would be inclined to go the ex MPV route if possible (Blingo, Partner, 806, Synergie Et Al)

Sell the rear seats on ebay and then fill it with all manner of stuff, plus you wont get charged if you take it down the tip with stuff.

 

T'is a good point that...

[wackywacerwill]

Cheaper at the tolls too, and on the ferries. Still, if a van is what's wanted who are we to argue? Everyone needs a van

 

Emulsion the rear glass in the 205 and offer that for say 850, everyone's a winner.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

DW8 engine?

God, No.

DW10 or XU9D, but try and avoid the DW8.

 

Is that the one that looks like an XUD but is fitted to 02 plate C15's etc. If so that engine is SHITE.

[willswitchengage]

DW8 is basically a slightly modified XUD9 that is instead ECU controlled and EU3... zzzzzzzzzz.

 

Go for a C15 fo sho like ruffgeezer.

 

model of reliability compared to the Kangaroo

 

[wuvvum]

maybe a Courier at a push...

 

Like this? Or is OMG TURBO FAIL an issue?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-FORD-FIESTA-COURIER-50-TD-VAN-WHITE-FULL-MOT-96K-CLEAN-SMART-LITTLE-VAN-/290766198671?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item43b304178f

They're not a bad little van actually. Utterly gutless in non-turbo form, but quite adequate with the turdblower engine. I don't think those engines are particularly prone to turbo failure - if anything packs up on them it seems to be the injector pumps, but even then they're a lot less prone to this than the equivalent Vauxhall lump.

[Ross_K]

If you can find an XUD berlingo go for it, but they were only fitted from 96 -> 98.

 

I've used both and can't say I found much of a difference performance or economy-wise.