Van shite - what would you buy?

[Kiltox]

Thinking about replacing my 2001 Kangoo with something a bit bigger. It'd be my daily driver and I work in IT when I'm not being a pikey trader so it needs to look half respectable.

 

Only looking to spend a grand or so and want something that doesn't rust for a laugh so a cheap Transit is pretty much out

 

Open to anything really.....

[eddyramrod]

Given recent events, how about an Escort?

[Kiltox]

For its excellent "fuck off NCAP" performance it's definitely commendable but I'm not sure it adds much load space over my Kangoo does it?

[eddyramrod]

That's probably true, what it gains in length it'll lose in height I think.  Electric CF then?

[fraser.innes.3]

We know somebody who needs a van. How much for the kangoo?

[eddyramrod]

In all seriousness, what about a Fiat Scudo/Citroen Relay/Peugeot Expert?  I used to drive a Scudo regularly at work and found it very acceptable.  Wouldn't have thought it was difficult to find a nice van within budget.

[Lacquer Peel]

You could buy a really tidy Nissan Vanette for £1k, nice size in between small vans and Transit-size vans but not exactly a long distance cruiser with 70-odd bhp.

[Kiltox]

I'd be looking for about £900 for it most likely - MOT December 2016 and it'll be getting the few bits it needs before it's available

[Kiltox]

In all seriousness, what about a Fiat Scudo/Citroen Relay/Peugeot Expert? I used to drive a Scudo regularly at work and found it very acceptable. Wouldn't have thought it was difficult to find a nice van within budget.

Saw a really tidy Expert the other day, might well be worth a look. What are they like drivetrain wise for reliability?

[bub2006]

For its excellent "fuck off NCAP" performance it's definitely commendable but I'm not sure it adds much load space over my Kangoo does it?

Not as high but a bit longer. Id certainly recommend one. Great fuel economy and reliabilty. Awesome in a crash

[eddyramrod]

PSA 1.9D, in FWD format.  Think we can safely call that well-proven!

 

Edited to add: didn't we have a couple of these For Sale within the forum recently?  By Panhard65 and possibly Wuvvum?

[brownnova]

An Escort too small...?

 

Just do this!

 

[Kiltox]

I assume the newer model 2.0 HDi Expert is fraught with OMGDMF woe?

 

Smart looking things

[dollywobbler]

I think the 2.0 HDi is meant to be a tough old thing actually. I wouldn't got for a 1.9D because they are SHIT SLOW. 

[MarvinsMom]

LDV maximus too shit as a suggestion?

 

or a LDV sherpa thing, or is that even shitter?

 

i'll get me coat.......

[Kiltox]

Drove an LDV Maxus rental a while ago - if it wasn't for that fucking horrible gear change I'd buy one!

[dollywobbler]

Worst thing about the Maxus is the panels are paper thin, so they dent very easily indeed. Not ideal for that smart look. The gearchange in the one I drove was pretty good, though the bloke at the hire place did say go gently with it. Very easy to bend stuff, and then they are crap.

[andy18s]

You could buy a really tidy Nissan Vanette for £1k, nice size in between small vans and Transit-size vans but not exactly a long distance cruiser with 70-odd bhp.

Only if it has the LDV badge on the front........

[Bear]

Tata Loadbeta Van

[tommotech]

I'd go Expert/Scudo/Despatch in early XUD turbo flavour for simplicity.

 

Finding a good one will be a mission though.

[Kiltox]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-Peugeot-Expert-2-0HDi-Diesel-manual-Van-134k-/141911805762?nav=SEARCH

 

I assume a turbo for this will cost a fair bit?

 

Labour isn't an issue

[plasticvandan]

C15. Simplify man!

[dollywobbler]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-Peugeot-Expert-2-0HDi-Diesel-manual-Van-134k-/141911805762?nav=SEARCH

 

I assume a turbo for this will cost a fair bit?

 

Labour isn't an issue

 

I wouldn't go anywhere near that generation of PSA myself. 

[Asimo]

I am very happy with my Transit connect - but it is petrol engined. If I did'nt have it I think I would be looking at Toyota, Nissan or a gutted early Espace.

[Noel Tidybeard]

i'd have one of these babies

 

[twosmoke300]

2.0 hdi psa stuff has no dmf , uncoded injectors and an external slave cylinder on the 90hp models . At least pre 08 stuff does

[scruff]

2.5 di Transit if you can find one thats not borked

[Alan_Green]

When my 1.6HDi Berlingo blew it's 4th turbo in 4 years so many people told me to find a good '98 to '06 2.0 HDi Scudo, Dispatch or Expert with the 8v engine that I gave in and bought this:  

I've done 25K in it in a year and it's fast, comfortable, 11p per mile mixed city & motorway driving. Zero issues now and none on the horizon. No DMF or DPF. Took a while to find a good one with air con. Might sell as I need a white van and I've spotted a mint one with air con for strong money, but I'm prepared to pay (although I'm also considering an LPG). But it would be just about possible to find an OK looking one without air con for £1k.

 

But do you really need a van?  Why not an 806 etc with the seats removed? The only reason to have a van is to avoid insurance hassles if it's signwritten.  Otherwise vans have nothing but disadvantages. More expensive to buy...attract tool thieves...live harder lives....less luxuries like air con...get turned away at some dumps...breakdown cover issues...  This 806 is on my Gumtree watch list. 1 yr MOT. 2.0 HDi. (BTW 1.9 XUD is too slow for this size vehicle) £525:  https://www.gumtree.com/p/peugeot/peugeot-806-2.0-hdi-start-and-drive-limited-edition-5dr-7-seat/1153448642 

[wuvvum]

Another vote for a Scudo / Dispatch / Expert HDI.  I have a Scudo 1.9D and it would be a brilliant van if it weren't so f***ing slow - HDI should solve this issue and be just as reliable in 90bhp form - and probably better on fuel as well, as the 1.9D is constantly flat out. 

 

Either that or, if you want to go a bit bigger, find a SWB Ducato / Relay / Boxer with the 2.8 JTD engine - they don't come up very often, but they're a reliable old bus and go like the clappers.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Fiat Doblo Mk 1, lots of room, 5 doors and the fuel economy of the 1.3 is amazing.