Durrsaku Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Ok, it is coming to that time of the year again. End of May i am taking a long trip across Europe and this year i will be driving a van. So i am looking at buying one. Ok not the exciting performance car thread but just as important to me for the mission that is going to accomplish. So it needs to be a reliable van that it will cover almost 4000 miles, it will need to be diesel, fast, comfortable, with some reasonable loading space. So far i have been looking at Mercedes Vito or a Vw Transporter. What are your experiences with them or would there be an alternative as i am open to suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Have you thought Vauxhall Vivaro? Or the Renault one. They're exactly the same with different badges. Come with loads of standard kit, is comfy, quick enough and will do 30-33 mpg if driven at a reasonable rate. About the same size as a vito, various tailgates and one side opening. Pretty generous load space. I've owned 3 models and the lastest I cant really fault. Looked at Vitos once but seemed alot more expensive when compared like to like with spec. Not sure about VWs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 What sort of money do you want to spend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Volkswagen Transporter would be my choice have worked for VW and Mercedes commercials in the past and because of that have had the oppurtunity to drive most of the vans on the market. Are you looking to carry big weight or is it more the space you need. There is quite a few for sale locally with me, what are you looking to spend and are you VAT registered. If it was my money i would be buying A VW T5 T28/30 SWB/LWB but defo with the bigger 2.5TDI 174psi which has stunning performance for a van and still returns around 500miles to a tank of diesel. Hope this helps any questions please ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Have about 4 to 5k to spend. I think the T5 will be outside my budget. Went to our local van centre and the sales person talked about the Vivaro/Trafic/Primastar alternative and i had a look at the Renault Trafic. He had a few parked outside. The only problem is that the one we need it would have to be a dualiner or crew van and he didn't have one. Are they easy to convert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 It will mainly carry luggage and a few hand tools. At the same time it will have to carry 4 people comfortably as it is a long journey hence i was looking at the above choices, as they look more car-like to drive. Is the 2.5 tdi better than the 1.9 on the Transporter? What is your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Might be better getting hold of a VW Caravelle and taking the non required seats out. Means you'll be able to insure it as a minibus and avoid the confusion of insuring a van (commercial insurance see). Also you'll get feck all transporter for £5 grand, and if you do it'll no doubt have been knocked to buggery with builders crap etc in the back. Edit: Or you might like one of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Well you might be right, there are two yellow ones advertised locally. Former AA one with just 130k on the other about 117K miles. 3999 +vat Lovely example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 could you not use an estate with a roof box or small trailer, with having to seat 4 people over 4k miles you need a bit of comfort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Fair point what about a Seat/VW/Ford 7 seater and take out the back row of seats and if needed fit a roofbox. Also would be easy enough sold when you are done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melchior Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 A little outside you stated budget maybe, but a chap in my local VW club is selling this which may fit the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 [ QUOTE ] A little outside you stated budget maybe, but a chap in my local VW club is selling this which may fit the bill. [/ QUOTE ] Have to be logged in to see that, mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 Ok, let me hear your opinions guys. Here it is what i have found today. VW TRANSPORTER TDI SWB (1200-88 BHP) 2002, 84K Miles Good service history £3775 How is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 Good for the money I reckon - but is that 1200, 88 or 1288 bhp..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 that is a pretty good price for the year, 2 of the boys at work use Transporters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 It is the 88 bhp! Thanks guys for your help. Will see what i can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 88 bhp? that will be as slow as feck. Load it up and on a long trip it will be really sh1te Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 Well it's the 2.5L diesel, so here you go. I haven't committed yet though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 The 2.5 diesels aren't the quickest things off the mark, but they've got plenty of torque, which you'll need if it's loaded. I reckon that if it hasn't got at least 394 bhp, most people on here would say it's slow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2008 Got it for £ 3500. Shall i be laughing or crying? Haven't told the wife yet though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 If you've not told the wife, you should probably be drying right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 Here it is what i have bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 nice and i love the orange light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Cheers steve2. Guess what i have gone and done now? I subscribed to the VWT4Forum.co.uk Forum. :D More money spending urges coming on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I subscribed to the VWT4Forum.co.uk Forum. It'll all be downhill now for your wallet - as soon as you get talking to fellow owners, you're going to want all the bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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