need a new van...

[Andy Allen]

my vans falling apart, cant see it going through the mot which is up in april, just looking around at some second hand vans....

anyone got a viviro, what they like?...looking around the 04/05 model, or a transit about the same year havnt got much to spend , proberly around 3 grand.....

any other suggestions welcome...

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

well one of my neighbours reversed in to the back of my stationary van a few days before christmas !! :yikes: so i have to have that fixed now :mad2:, i was out walking the dog the other day & i passed a bloke who said HI Dave , it was only one of the mechanics from the local garage :yikes: who NOW is begging to know me by name :yikes:........

 

[Bubblecraft]

Transit every time for me. For £3k it would be a Mk 6 transit. You could pick up an 05/06 for that.
A SWB will take an 8'x4' at an angle but take up the whole loading space of the van, a MWB will take an 8'x4' tight to the bulkhead, a LWB will take an 8'x4' with just enough room to get in the side loading door. A jumbo will give you full access to the van via the side door with an 8'x4'.

This site will give you loading lengths, overall lengths, widths & weights.
http://www.fordtransitdirect.co.uk/newsales/newvans/transit/technicalspec.aspx

I prefer the 2.4 Duratorque, RWD models.

 

[Andy Allen]

now, what about milage, im seeing vans with anything from 80k to 170k, is lower milage better or service history more important with vans..

i dont do that many miles a year, but a van with 150k on it is kind of putting me off a bit..

 

[merit]

ive got a vivaro, its been a good van but i got it at two years old, ive had it for about 5 years now, but i find its bit too small for all my tools and materials , great if its only tiling stuff, but its a squeeze getting plastering stuff on as well , 8 by 4 sheets go in on the angle but take up loads of space im looking to see what work shows up this year and go for the transit mwb with the higher roof, theres a lot of rubbish vans about that dont warrant the money, some have been battered down motorways then sold on as fleets, garages are best but you pay a prenium for some peice of mind, i always think its a bit of a lottery anyway best of luck

 

[Ian]

I've got a Vivaro Andy, great van but, if I'm honest, you will get better value for money from a transit and parts are cheaper. Mine has been really good to me mainly because its ex AA and has been very well looked after. Just had a clutch in it and that was £700 :yikes:, I don't like the look of the transit that's why I chose a Vivaro, silly I know! So to sum up, get a transit, probably a MWB if you carry a lot of 8x4's, unless you are a ponce like me and drive a van because it is pretty, then get a Vivaro :lol:

 

[Bubblecraft]

I don't like the look of the transit that's why I chose a Vivaro, silly I know! ....unless you are a ponce like me and drive a van because it is pretty, then get a Vivaro :lol:

How can you not like the look of a Mk 7 transit? It's an awesome looking van! I've always had transits from a Mk 5 to a Mk 6 then a Mk 7. My dad had the Mk 3 & Mk 4.

I would base your purchase on the service history & not the millage. A transit will go on forever if looked after properly. I've got 155k on a 2007 model. I've replaced the leaf springs only in the time I've had her. Parts are cheap & easy to get a hold of. The same faults are common & easy enough replaced like EGR valve, corroded brake lines etc. The downside is the rust around arches, sills & back doors so check these out first.

 

[hillhead]

I have a Trafic, bought it new in '07.
Damn good van but bigger one would suit better for us.
I have 65k on the clock and reckon 5k is about its worth now
The Transits are fine although some of the mates say fuel consumption is high on some.
Silly problems too but all vans can get them.
I like the Transporters but too many plumbers drive them, lol.

 

[Bubblecraft]

I have a Trafic, bought it new in '07.
Damn good van but bigger one would suit better for us.
I have 65k on the clock and reckon 5k is about its worth now
The Transits are fine although some of the mates say fuel consumption is high on some.
Silly problems too but all vans can get them.
I like the Transporters but too many plumbers drive them, lol.

Transporters are great if you have a cash & carry










Joking!

 

[Ian]

How can you not like the look of a Mk 7 transit? It's an awesome looking van! I've always had transits from a Mk 5 to a Mk 6 then a Mk 7. My dad had the Mk 3 & Mk 4.

I would base your purchase on the service history & not the millage. A transit will go on forever if looked after properly. I've got 155k on a 2007 model. I've replaced the leaf springs only in the time I've had her. Parts are cheap & easy to get a hold of. The same faults are common & easy enough replaced like EGR valve, corroded brake lines etc. The downside is the rust around arches, sills & back doors so check these out first.

Ford are really lazy with the transit styling, all they ever do is change the headlights, I do like the look of the new one though, due out this year I think.

 

[Bubblecraft]

Ford are really lazy with the transit styling, all they ever do is change the headlights, I do like the look of the new one though, due out this year I think.

That's very true. They are lazy with the styling but it still need to look like a manly van, not a hairdressers car lol

I'm not a fan of the new transit. Look to much like the old c-max

 

[Bubblecraft]

Ford are really lazy with the transit styling, all they ever do is change the headlights, I do like the look of the new one though, due out this year I think.

Can really see you jumping in your new transit, covered in adhesive, dust, silicone when it looks like this

I'd be too scared to touch anything incase it got dirty lol

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i like the look of the Trafic joe, the steering wheel is on the passages side bubbs is the labourer driving then ?

 

[hillhead]

What are you on there Dave! I want some. Lol

 

[Bubblecraft]

the steering wheel is on the passages side bubbs

That's what happens when the yanks take over lol

 

[judge]

I have a 03 plate traffic lwb with high roof.Ive shelved it for all my tools and can get 8 x 4 sheets in and swing a small cat in there .As with any van you can be lucky or unlucky when it comes to problems with them.Ive been thinking of upgrading mine but cant help thinking i might end up with someone elses problems if i do

 

[Bubblecraft]

I have a 03 plate traffic lwb with high roof.Ive shelved it for all my tools and can get 8 x 4 sheets in and swing a small cat in there .As with any van you can be lucky or unlucky when it comes to problems with them.Ive been thinking of upgrading mine but cant help thinking i might end up with someone elses problems if i do

There's always that chance. A good check of the service history can soon sort that.

 

[Andy Allen]

I have a 03 plate traffic lwb with high roof.Ive shelved it for all my tools and can get 8 x 4 sheets in and swing a small cat in there .As with any van you can be lucky or unlucky when it comes to problems with them.Ive been thinking of upgrading mine but cant help thinking i might end up with someone elses problems if i do

know what you mean, its a bit of a mine field...

 

[peteablard]

I've got a 54 plate Trafic that's just turned 136k. It needed a new radiator to get through it's MOT but other than that it goes like a dream. Think I'll keep it until it falls apart rather than risk trading in and ending up with something less reliable.

 

[BoldreChris]

I've got a '58 Vito LWB, racked out for tools and with a false floor so I can carry 8x4 sheets flat without moving any tools which is wonderful. The van itself is OK but feels a bit "delicate" - or maybe I'm just precious about it !

 

[Andy Allen]

think im going to go for a transit, not being vat reg means finding a private deal, or taking the hit on the vat with a garage...

any advice on which is the best way to go...

 

[John Benton]

It's all offset against your tax bill Andy, and you will generally get at least 3 months warranty from a garage. I'd rather have that personally.

I've never bought a car privately either, always through a garage. We have a great family run Ford dealership near us and I bought a 6yr old Ford Focus years ago and they gave me 12 months warranty on it They must trust what they sell to give a warranty like that, but I'm sure not all garages are as generous as this

 

[peteablard]

I got mine from an auction and would probably buy any future vans from there too. Well worth a look IMO. Mine belonged to an electrical company and had a full service history with it

 

[Andy Allen]

I got mine from an auction and would probably buy any future vans from there too. Well worth a look IMO. Mine belonged to an electrical company and had a full service history with it

do you have to pay vat on top from an auction..?

 

[peteablard]

do you have to pay vat on top from an auction..?

yes Andy but even with VAT they are still cheaper, comparing prices on Auto Trader mine was about £1k cheaper from the auction. It's not for everyone buying from there but I know several people who have and no one has had any problems.