Wurzel Of Highbridge Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I need to get a medium van shortly. I will be using it weekends only about 2,000 miles per year. I really don't want to spend much more than £3k. I have been looking at Vivaro's, Traffic's and Primastar's with about 150k on them. I am also considering a LDV maxus after having a 02 red ex. po van which was very reliable. I have ruled out Transits as they are quite rusty at £3k/10 year old Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 All ears, looking for a leisure van at similar price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitevanman Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Vivaros have dodgy gearboxes and injectors pre-08. After that they got Renault engines and they're very good. Mines a 58 plate on 142k miles without any trouble (touch wood). Gearbox developed a slight whine in 6th but an oil change stopped that. Gets 40+mpg if driven gently. Nice to drive. Can't fault it. I had an old style Vito before that which was good but rusted to death. Mercedes vans all seem to suffer from tin worm as do Transits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 LDV Maxus is possibly a good shout assuming you can still get basic consumables like brake pads. The Trafic/Vivaro can have expensive problems at that sort of mileage, or less, basically there are well known problems with injectors and high pressure fuel pumps in common rail diesel engines and this model is particularly badly effected. I had a sizable fleet of of Renault Master vans and they all eventually had the same issue and it was cheaper to scrap the lot than repair and barely any made it over 100k. Made the mistake of deciding to keep for 5 years rather than just the warranty period. Lottery really best thing probably to find one from a good home with obvious life left in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Berlingo too small? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Why not buy a used hearse? They usually haven't been driven too fast, and have a certain dignity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limpet Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I`ve driven an LDV Cub which is a re badged Nissan Vanette. It was not too bad to drive and basically being a Nissan should be reliable. Although they are not that big, ie you can`t stand up in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravan Monster Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I would suggest a class7 panel van, for low yearly mileage in that price bracket, where 30 mpg from a big lazy engine is a better bet than 40mpg from a more highly strung one when the 25% difference in fuel purchase cost is not that big a deal. The bigger vans tend to be more solidly built than the lighter ones and hence less on their last legs at that age. VW LTs and merc sprinters are worth a look, just work out which are the best engines. I run an LT with the 2.8 engine as my only vehicle and it is very good. Generally, the dealers get the best vans from fleet auctions, although you might get lucky with a private seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonguest Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 All ears, looking for a leisure van at similar price. Prey tell just what sort of 'leisure' can one have with a van???!!! Ones imagination can run amok at trying to guess what you have in mind....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Prey tell just what sort of 'leisure' can one have with a van???!!! Ones imagination can run amok at trying to guess what you have in mind....... Fitted up with bike carrier, kayak rack on roof, bed in back, camping stove etc. in there permanently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Fitted up with bike carrier, kayak rack on roof, bed in back, camping stove etc. in there permanently. You are a man of dreams, and that seems a nice one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 You are a man of dreams, and that seems a nice one! And achievable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 And achievable My dreams are too dirty, and unachievable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 My dreams are too dirty, and unachievable! Never mind one day police, from the forensic division, will come and take them away in a polythene bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Of Highbridge Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 Bought a LWB Vivaro in the end, I took it for a test drive - gearbox is good, clutch is good - no smoke. Fairly good for a 150k van, and it;s had a fair chunk spent on it in the past. I will be doing about 2k per year in it so hopefully it will last the next 3 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Bought a LWB Vivaro in the end, I took it for a test drive - gearbox is good, clutch is good - no smoke. Fairly good for a 150k van, and it;s had a fair chunk spent on it in the past. I will be doing about 2k per year in it so hopefully it will last the next 3 years! Bejesus, that was expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Something I was going to post on this thread, and forgot - so no use to the OP now but, worth remembering that older vans cannot go into London these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Of Highbridge Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 Something I was going to post on this thread, and forgot - so no use to the OP now but, worth remembering that older vans cannot go into London these days. Not a problem, I wont be going further than Taunton to Bristol of a Saturday evening. Fingers crossed. My last van was an ex PO LDV convoy - ugly red thing, but incredibly reliable. The 06 Vivaro looks much nicer in Black, but it must be reliable or it;s back on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Not a problem, I wont be going further than Taunton to Bristol of a Saturday evening. Fingers crossed. My last van was an ex PO LDV convoy - ugly red thing, but incredibly reliable. The 06 Vivaro looks much nicer in Black, but it must be reliable or it;s back on ebay. Good luck with the van! You can wave at me when you go past Clevedon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Of Highbridge Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 Good luck with the van! You can wave at me when you go past Clevedon! Give me a shout if you need a mobile DJ of a Saturday evening next year :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Give me a shout if you need a mobile DJ of a Saturday evening next year :-) You can hear my guitar from the motorway! I am a musician of sorts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronyx Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Would it not have made more sense to hire one for 2000 miles a year? No one here would call you a rent forever loser, can't lose with brakes and motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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