small vans

[Am333rcr]

my major problem is vat . avoidable really i suppose

thanks everyone as usual

 

[MetalMonkey]

One issue with swapping to a van is theft, most vans have rubbish security and are a hot target, especially if you keep any tools in it. I know a few guys that have swapped to estates for that reason.

 

[Turbo]

I have a Citroen Dispatch & love it to bits but a friend has a newer shape Berlingo & it looks like a nice place to be with decent space in the rear, unlike the older models.

If you go for a Peugeot/Citroen avoid the 1.6 HDI engine, they are very troublesome. The 2l 16v engine is a peach, very torquey, used in Fords as the TDCI engine.

 

[Brad93]

I have a Citroen Dispatch & love it to bits but a friend has a newer shape Berlingo & it looks like a nice place to be with decent space in the rear, unlike the older models.

If you go for a Peugeot/Citroen avoid the 1.6 HDI engine, they are very troublesome. The 2l 16v engine is a peach, very torquey, used in Fords as the TDCI engine.

Berlingo. What a heap of junk. Uncomfortable driving position, bag of spanners for a gearbox. Fairly nippy engine but it’s all turbo there’s no grunt to it.
load space is a good size though.

 

[northwest]

One issue with swapping to a van is theft, most vans have rubbish security and are a hot target, especially if you keep any tools in it. I know a few guys that have swapped to estates for that reason.

Well, I have a little Astra van that I love, but is getting a bit long in the tooth. It has a few dents in it and there is a bit of rust showing on the arch at the back. I gave a grand for it three years ago. 1.7 Isuzu engine which has been tweaked a bit.

I have been looking around for an estate car or similar. Absolutely NOTHING less than £4k and even then the same age as my van (2010).

 

[johnik]

I've got a Fiat Doblo Maxi with the 2.0 multijet motor in it, 135bhp remapped to 185bhp so it shifts and still manages 60mpg

i had one of these as a company van, i came from a connect that was like a lame donkey running on nutty slack to the fiat that was like a maybach, oh and the side doors didnt fly open when cornering like they did in the fraud.

 

[Edward Teach]

I have driven a £250, 2007 Citroen Berlingo (Peugeot Partner) 1.6HDi for three years now, it keeps on going.
Newer vans I would not know of or want to spend that sort of money on,
Unless it was paying for itself entirely, which is a different matter.

 

[4String.]

I've had a 2013 reg Nissan NV200 for two years now and I'm very happy with it. It has a full bulkhead, six speed gear box, cruise control, bluetooth, and comes with a reversing camera as standard. It is wide enough to take a euro pallet and has leaf springs in addition to the rear shocks. I get around 750 kilometers from a full tank of diesel. It has a 1.5 dci engine.

I've had my 62 plate NV200 for 7 years now and I can't say enough good things about it .

Not quite as well spec'ed as @Blake's 7 but I wouldn't consider swapping it for anything else. If needed it will happily sit at (or well above...) the NSL on motorways but at my usual sedate pace of 55-60 mph it returns 50+mpg all day long, and it's very comfortable to drive. Quite often I get home on a Friday and throw my dive gear in the van then drive up to Oban or beyond for the weekend and it really is a joy to drive long-distance.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I have an ancient 2003 160,000 mile Citroen Berlingo Multispace (petrol). Great little van and am considering buying a newer diesel version

 

[CompoSimmonite]

hope i dont get a shock. i have a touch wood v realiable fabia 2013 with 180k on it

Our 2004 Fabia 1.4 TDi has done 180.000 miles as well - without one breakdown nor any serious work needed other than normal consumables. Even exhaust is the original !

 

[Barking Mat]

Peugeot Partners, I rate.

Been driving various ones for the last 15 years in work, better than Kangoos.

 

[daf45]

I'd vote Caddy Maxi over most other vans mentioned here
Find one a few years old somewhere boasting No Vat.

 

[highseas]

over the last 10 years i have had all kinds from the escort van, berlingo, partner, kangoo, and connect! (never been posh enugh for a VW) all have served me very well and have NOT been looked after only looked at when no longer moving, and/or the radio no longer blots out the noises!

if you have ever been to the lakes and seen a dodgy looking small van towing a quad/gennywelder/with something rather too big on the roof rack...that will have been me

the best by far was the connects, load them up and send them on! cheap parts cheap to run, i now have a full sized transit so i can get the quad/junk inside and not have to worry about trailers

but i am talking 05-10 plates hear and they are way below your budget, you will be wanting some thing newer and nicer!