what van?

[Billy Bob Bob]

my current van a pug experts been boringly reliable and goes like a rocket but its no defender

 

[michael c]

Thought you had a defender mate

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Thought you had a defender mate

will do in april,vans off to a new life

 

[michael c]

How olds you pug like

 

[REDSAW]

when you have constantly lost shed loads of money over the years on 'tin cans' you begin to appreciate the value of a 100% customizable 'defender', mine is worth ten times more today than the day it was built in 1992. and also one of the most comfortable, believe it or not but it does have a £2k interior.lol

 

[michael c]

You will have to travel up and let me try it redsaw

 

[plumber0808]

what size have you got mate? Most of the transits im finding seem to be around the 100k mark seen a few relays at 45k. I would love to buy my works transit as it will go to auction in a couple of weeks.
I have messaged to ask if i can buy it but doubt they will allow it.

I have the MWB, I don't need it bigger than that

 

[SafeGasInstall]

If you can not afford Transporter or Vito then get newer transit !!!

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

How olds you pug like

03,but its provisionally sold got to clean it to day to send some piccies off

 

[TBServices]

If you can not afford Transporter or Vito then get newer transit !!!

That new Transit custom looks the business, but all the plastics will fall off and the doors and locks will be made of old tin cans if its owt like the older trannys.

 

[Guest123]

I was looking at getting a brand new LWB Transit next month, but all these good reviews about the Citreon Relay are making me think about having a look at that too. Do Citreon do a LWB medium roof Relay and in what engine size and most importantly is it any good?

 

[R1CKY]

Been thinking about a new van myself. My Caddy is a bit too small for my needs, Relays seem to be good value. The HDI engines are strong units, good for 200k+, Citroens ad Peugeots tend to be galvanised, so no worry of rust.

Just a shame about the build quality!

 

[tonto33]

Brought Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive lwb month ago just had it remap from 115bhp to 150bhp, but if could of afford it would of got Vw crafter

 

[StillLearnin]

Thankfully I work for others and get provided with a van.... currently have an 2011 Transit, swb but hi top .... it's nice. Previously had Relay and Despatch, both lovely.... out of preference would like a hi-top, swb Relay. Have considered going alone, and if I did would probably opt for a contract .... it's part of taking the risk of going alone and at least the van will start every morning and not prevent you getting to work.

 

[michael c]

How olds your transit system? Im stuck between transit and the relay at the minute. You can get the relay in all the same sizes as the transit with a 2.2 engine.

 

[R1CKY]

I do like Transits, but can't cope with the corrosion, poor fuel consumption and engine faults. Best driving van I've ever driven though.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Do the full costings before you decide to buy second hand against leasing/contract hire.

I know that you are setting up on your own, and will want to keep your overheads down, but it can work out cheaper to have a new van on a lease. Its not hard to get through a couple of grand a year on MOT, repairs, missed work etc if you pick a bad 'un.

We run mostly new vans on contract hire - not because we are rich, but because experience has taught us that its generally the cheapest option overall. The only time we run vans older than 3 years is when we have had the van for the first 3 years on a contract and know its history - then we might buy it from the contract hire company, particularly if we have dented the bodywork (which is really expensive when you hand it back).

It might be worth using £1k of the money you were going to spend on a 2nd hand van as the deposit, and putting the rest away against the possibility of having a quiet month - you will have a few months of van payments sitting in the bank.

 

[michael c]

Brought Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive lwb month ago just had it remap from 115bhp to 150bhp, but if could of afford it would of got Vw crafter

Would love a crafter but funds just wont allow it. Thinking of going to auctions in a couple of weeks

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

03,but its provisionally sold got to clean it to day to send some piccies off

if it does not go to its new home(will know in a few days) you interested?

 

[Guest123]

Seriously looking at a LWB Relay now. Most of the reviews online have been very positive. Plus it's only £235 a month brand new with all the toys like satnav etc on Contract or lease hire.
I love my Transit but they are greedy buggers on the diesel, paying for a brand new Relay with it's lower fuel consumption is looking a very attractive proposition.

 

[michael c]

Do the full costings before you decide to buy second hand against leasing/contract hire.

I know that you are setting up on your own, and will want to keep your overheads down, but it can work out cheaper to have a new van on a lease. Its not hard to get through a couple of grand a year on MOT, repairs, missed work etc if you pick a bad 'un.

We run mostly new vans on contract hire - not because we are rich, but because experience has taught us that its generally the cheapest option overall. The only time we run vans older than 3 years is when we have had the van for the first 3 years on a contract and know its history - then we might buy it from the contract hire company, particularly if we have dented the bodywork (which is really expensive when you hand it back).

It might be worth using £1k of the money you were going to spend on a 2nd hand van as the deposit, and putting the rest away against the possibility of having a quiet month - you will have a few months of van payments sitting in the bank.

Thanks for the advice ray, i am terrified of getting a bad one but plan to keep for 3-5 years if i can just terrified i take on too much upfront. My current van cost me 1700 quid and mechanically it is good so i have been tempted to bodge and keep for another year .

 

[michael c]

if it does not go to its new home(will know in a few days) you interested?

no sorry mate was tempted at 1st but want something newer now plus the distance your away is a bit much

 

[Ray Stafford]

Thanks for the advice ray, i am terrified of getting a bad one but plan to keep for 3-5 years if i can just terrified i take on too much upfront. My current van cost me 1700 quid and mechanically it is good so i have been tempted to bodge and keep for another year .

If its been sound, then hang on to it, and try to stick away a few quid when you can against the day you need it.

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.

 

[villa_tom]

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.

This is where I'm at now. I've had my van 3 years on a 56 plate. I had no bother at all for the first two years and in the past year it's broken down 3 times, cost me roughly 600 in repairs and about 2.5k in earrings :-(

its been a good van though, its done nearly 190k miles so its due an update.

Once I've got m house sorted ill have a real good look, I've got 7k put aside, separate from my house deposit for a van.

Im looking at a brand new one and looking at pre registered ones as they are cheaper. Looking to spend about 12k, I should be able to get a dispatch or an expert for that.

At the moment I'm driving a berlingo and finding space an issue, so a slightly bigger van will be better

 

[michael c]

It will cost 1500-2000 to get my van how i want it. Anyone want to donate a good van to me