Van- not shite, maybe a bit shit.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Right, I'm going to get shot of my T4 this year; to replace it with something (ahem) modern(ish), tidy and reliable.

Hyundai iload looks good to me, just about big enough and reliable, apparently quite car-like to drive too. Don't think they do em in petrol though. I'd prefer pez as it will be doing short trips and may be required to go to 'that London'.

Opinions please.

[eddyramrod]

Is it still possible to buy a petrol van?

That said, anything that replaces a T4 should be an improvement!

[Uncle Jimmy]

Ooof! T4's are good vans, mine is getting to the stage though where it needs the loving caress of an expert (think more slamming/stancing/jizzing by a Dubber)

A lot of Pez vans are marketed in Asia and the far east, many of which we sadly don't see here in either flava.

[Asimo]

So true. I'd go for one of these in 2 litre petrol auto form if only they would sell them here.

[wuvvum]

Can you still get a petrol / LPG Transit?  You could up until relatively recently.  Mind you the newest Transits are pretty shit by all accounts.

 

In 'Muricuh you can buy a rebadged Fiat Ducato with some daft petrol V6 that does 0-60 in about 8 seconds.  Probably not a lot of good to you though.

[taxi paul]

Have a look at the Japanese importers. I have a petrol regius, basically a hiace with seats. I am sure one of them would be able to import you a van of your choice. I did have a hyundai i800 a couple of years ago. Great for the kids but I could never get the seat comfy.

[taxi paul]

Oops

[Guest Lord Sward]

VW have re-introduced Petrol vans in various sizes, Caddy and Transporter.  You can even order an auto.  But be warned, they're not cheap.  Bt probably most honest in emissions.

[angle]

That there London - how far in do you come? If the answer is 'Ruislip' then I wouldn't worry about it - you only have the LEZ to worry about and anything modern-ish will be fine. The issue will be the ULEZ, which might happen in 2019, or 2021, and might cover just the Congestion Charge area, or might be inside the North / South Circular. However it ends up, you'll need a Euro 4 petrol engine or a Euro 6 diesel engine to avoid the charge. A quick Google suggests that Hyundai started selling Euro 6 iLoads from May last year, so depends how new you're looking really. Modern and petrol means I think you can only do Transits though...

[Supernaut]

Can you still get a petrol / LPG Transit?  You could up until relatively recently.  Mind you the newest Transits are pretty shit by all accounts.

 

In 'Muricuh you can buy a rebadged Fiat Ducato with some daft petrol V6 that does 0-60 in about 8 seconds.  Probably not a lot of good to you though.

The 'murican market Transit is available with AWD and the Ecoboost twin-turbo V6! I bet that's a right laugh.

[DodgeRover]

That there London - how far in do you come? If the answer is 'Ruislip' then I wouldn't worry about it - you only have the LEZ to worry about and anything modern-ish will be fine. The issue will be the ULEZ, which might happen in 2019, or 2021, and might cover just the Congestion Charge area, or might be inside the North / South Circular. However it ends up, you'll need a Euro 4 petrol engine or a Euro 6 diesel engine to avoid the charge. A quick Google suggests that Hyundai started selling Euro 6 iLoads from May last year, so depends how new you're looking really. Modern and petrol means I think you can only do Transits though...

I'm guessing by 2020 the ULEZ will be pushed out to the same area as the LEZ and people will simply be told that's the price of doing business or living in London same as they were with the current LEZ.

I think the ULEZ proposal covers all vehicles not just commercials though

[angle]

I'm guessing by 2020 the ULEZ will be pushed out to the same area as the LEZ and people will simply be told that's the price of doing business or living in London same as they were with the current LEZ.

I think the ULEZ proposal covers all vehicles not just commercials though

 

Trust me, it won't be - I'm currently sitting about 20 feet from the people working on it. Getting it out to the North / South Circular will be hard enough.

 

Although yes, it covers everything - luckily me and my XUD moved out of Zone 2 a while back...

[DodgeRover]

Genuine question: What's difficult about it? Physically the infrastructure must all be there already to manage the current LEZ?

 

Can you nudge people it would be a good idea to go with a rolling exemption based on historic status and to keep the current exemption for LPG vehicles?

[Uncle Jimmy]

Have a look at the Japanese importers. I have a petrol regius, basically a hiace with seats. I am sure one of them would be able to import you a van of your choice. I did have a hyundai i800 a couple of years ago. Great for the kids but I could never get the seat comfy.

If I was after a weekend car I'd go for an import, for a van which may be subject to much more wear and replacement parts I'm a bit cagier.

The Nissan Nv200 is a proper Nissan built in Japan but unfortunately a little small, I think it will be a more recent Hiace or the Iload.

I simply don't earn the kinda money I can afford a newish VW, odd that they've become so expensive, I read their market share has dropped.

[angle]

Genuine question: What's difficult about it? Physically the infrastructure must all be there already to manage the current LEZ?

 

Can you nudge people it would be a good idea to go with a rolling exemption based on historic status and to keep the current exemption for LPG vehicles?

 

You're right, technology wise I don't think it would be too difficult. Politically though - there's nine million people living in London. To pull some numbers out of my arse for a second, let's say half of them own a car, and two thirds of those cars aren't ULEZ compliant. As Mayor, fancy asking three million people to vote for you after you've told them to sell their car (presumably at a decent loss) and buy a new one (if you can afford it)?

 

Personally, I can see a scenario where one of the conditions for Heathrow expansion is a mini-ULEZ around it. Some of the more luvvie, inner London councils like Southwark could also start making noises about bringing in their own scheme in if it doesn't get taken out beyond the CC zone. Taking it to places like Havering or Bexley though? Not a chance, not for a long time.

[castros_bro]

You're right, technology wise I don't think it would be too difficult. Politically though - there's nine million people living in London. To pull some numbers out of my arse for a second, let's say half of them own a car, and two thirds of those cars aren't ULEZ compliant. As Mayor, fancy asking three million people to vote for you after you've told them to sell their car (presumably at a decent loss) and buy a new one (if you can afford it)?

 

Personally, I can see a scenario where one of the conditions for Heathrow expansion is a mini-ULEZ around it. Some of the more luvvie, inner London councils like Southwark could also start making noises about bringing in their own scheme in if it doesn't get taken out beyond the CC zone. Taking it to places like Havering or Bexley though? Not a chance, not for a long time.

 

 

OFF TOPIC WARNING

 

Has the incoming  ULEZ still got the exemption for older "historic" vehicles?

[angle]

Yep, anything with a historic tax class is exempt. No LPG exemptions though.

[JeeExEll]

There's a 1983 Transit on ebay today, described as dry stored from new with 147 miles on it. One hundred and forty seven. Pinto pez. Sorry, for some reason can't transfer a pic from ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Transit-Mk-2-twin-rear-wheel-1983-Dry-stored-28-years-ONLY-147-MILES/232188607303?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid=555012&algo=PW.MBE&ao=2&asc=40802&meid=415f6e0e13624cce8b21de9bb03cae82&pid=100010&rk=1&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=302188817988

[DodgeRover]

Reserve was over 20k last two times it's been on.

[JeeExEll]

Reserve was over 20k last two times it's been on.

Over 20k. Yowza.

 

Make that back easy from the first bank robbery blaaag though.

 

It's much cooler than any bland modern 20k van too. An option if you had 20k to spend on a van.

[DodgeRover]

Honestly if I was going to chuck 20k at a van I would have a tax exempted Mk1 or 2 rebuilt with a modern petrol/ lpg engine, improved sound deadening and vast amounts of rust removal/ prevention.

Tax exempted so I could dodge the proposed ULEZ assuming restrictions on use for vehicles in that class aren't applied soon.