Another Van thread

[Gazzer]

For the last 10 years I have made do with estate cars and an MPV due to personal circumstances. Its now approaching a time where I need to change car anyway and a van is high on the list.
Now I dont want to get into the brand slanging that usually happens when discussing vans but more the size of van that I can get away with.

My criterea is ....
This will be my only vehicle
3 seats minimum
Diesel engine
One side door (not 2)


Now can I get away with a smaller van or a Transit size. Its not often I carry Plasterboard or large sheet materials but it would be nice to have the option. A smaller van should give better fuel economy than a larger one.
If I undersize myself with the van then I am limited, If I oversize then I either have a half empty van or end up carrying too much !!

I really cant work out which way to go with this. Any thoughts ?

 

[peteablard]

I've got a 54 plate swb Renault Trafic which matches all your criteria (which was pretty much the same criteria as I had), I've had it 2 years now and it's been the best van I've ever had. It's got 135k on the clock now and still runs like a dream.

 

[Ian]

I changed from an Astra van to a vivaro about 2 1/2 years ago, I could never have anything smaller now. It's so handy for other things as well as the tiling side of things. The biggest benefit I'd say is the weight it can carry, 1000kg, handy for big stone jobs.


Sent via Tapatalk for iPhone 5

 

[nybor62]

ive had various vehicles , transits mitsubishi l 200 combo van, at present i have a ford focus estate i can get all i need init , i do mainly commercial work so dont carry tiles or adhesive, all delivered to site, saying that , i quite fancy a merc vito

 

[Gazzer]

I am pretty much convinced to go for this size van (Trafic) but I cant help thinking if it will be too much. In the past I have had all size vans and made them work well.

 

[peteablard]

I've just been over to Guernsey in mine, it came in at 3.5t on the weigh bridge fully loaded with materials but you would never have known it was carrying that much weight

 

[White Room]

I find with my Transit that the more room you have more you seem to fill it....but the Vivaro type vans many guys have said it's driving a car.

 

[Bubblecraft]

Transit MWB to take 8'x4' sheets. A good Mk6 you could get for around £1500. A Mk7 MWB will set you about £4k.
Gives you the side door & 3 seats. A Mk7 will give you the advantage of 6 speed to save on fuel costs & you can get all the mod cons like heated windscreen, sat nav etc.
Transit all the way for me

 

[Dave H]

I agree whitebeam, never seems enough space, we run two vw transporters,
brilliant vans, expensive to buy but also hold onto their value more than other vans.

 

[Alan.P]

I'm in the same predicament or similar, off to buy a van today, torn between size, it's either going to be a Fiat Ducato, or Astra van or Berlingo, we will see what I end up with 🙂