Van downsizing

[Thrashsmith]

Hi all, can you help me figure out what kind of vehicle I need?
My 2015 Vivaro is becoming too expensive to keep running, needing about £1000 every year in services - timing belt, turbo replacement, temperature sensors, and now potentially EGR replacement...
I can't afford a new (second hand) van of a similar size to replace it, but in any case, I don't really need one of that size 99% of the time. (I have however gotten used to having a van of that size though & I'd be sad to downsize).
Now that my wife has taken a full time job & I am on all the nursery school drop off & pick up duties, I'm basically part time & the kind of vehicle that would suit me better is a family vehicle. I'm hitting pause on gates/railings type jobs & focusing on smaller work, so I don't need a big van.
My workshop is about a 15 min drive from home down narrow country lanes that more potholed than an African safari. Constantly having to reverse up the lanes to a passing spot is a bit tedious because my van + another vehicle can't squeeze between the hedges.
What I need is some kind of car that could feasibly tow a trailer, but is high enough off the deck to not ground out on the potholes/torn up verges + is small enough to make the commute easier.
What vehicle is like Nissan Micra, but an extra foot off the ground + can tow a trailer?
Thank you

 

[Kayos]

Freelander 2

Problem solved

Lovely jubilee

Sound as a pound

 

[Nick DV]

One of these maybe

 

[Rannsachair]

My experience of cars and reversing small trailers on single track roads is that its a nightmare, a smaller van would be easier?

 

[Bornfree]

My experience of cars and reversing small trailers on single track roads is that its a nightmare, a smaller van would be easier?

Especially if you forget that you have a trailer attached.

 

[Wedg1e]

If you've already spent that much keeping it going, surely it's either (a) worth hanging on to or (b) has some added resale value if you can show the receipts for work done?
Downsize to a Connect LWB, or maybe better still a Connect Tourneo as the rear seats fold down to make more van space, but it's a big car the rest of the time...?
Cheap on parts too.
Not rated to pull massive trailers, unfortunately (750Kg braked I think).

 

[bricol]

My experience of cars and reversing small trailers on single track roads is that its a nightmare, a smaller van would be easier?

Yeah - by the time you can see the thing in the mirrors, it's too late!

Maybe something a Peugeot Partner? Seats in for school run, seats out for van duty?

 

[Thrashsmith]

So no love yet for something like an Octavia estate?

If you've already spent that much keeping it going, surely it's either (a) worth hanging on to or (b) has some added resale value if you can show the receipts for work done?
Downsize to a Connect LWB, or maybe better still a Connect Tourneo as the rear seats fold down to make more van space, but it's a big car the rest of the time...?
Cheap on parts too.
Not rated to pull massive trailers, unfortunately (750Kg braked I think).

That's the mentality that's kept me spending on it - better the devil you know & cheaper to maintain than starting afresh.
Had a £500 service back in Oct/Nov time, then £200 Dec, now needs another £500 to solve possible EGR fault, but if that doesn't solve it, it'll be £1000 for the other possibility.
So in theory I could spend £1500 to keep a vehicle going that is bigger than I need at the minute, or put it towards something more suited.

 

[Blobber]

Out of interest what engine is in your Vivaro?

 

[Thrashsmith]

Out of interest what engine is in your Vivaro?

1.6 mk2 2015 Euro 5

 

[Cato]

If you're doing a lot of those short runs then whatever you go for stay well away from a 'modern' diesel. As you've found, lots of short runs makes them very expensive.

Personally in your position I'd be looking for an older, petrol, large, estate car. Volvo, Audi, Merc territory. Load space longer and wider than a small van when needed, cheaper to run/service if you're not putting loads of miles in, comfortable and far less likely to get nicked.

 

[Thrashsmith]

If you're doing a lot of those short runs then whatever you go for stay well away from a 'modern' diesel. As you've found, lots of short runs makes them very expensive.

Personally in your position I'd be looking for an older, petrol, large, estate car. Volvo, Audi, Merc territory. Load space longer and wider than a small van when needed, cheaper to run/service if you're not putting loads of miles in, comfortable and far less likely to get nicked.

An XC60/70/90 would be my dream vehicle, but they're well out of my budget

 

[Gareth J]

Double cab pickup too expensive?

If you can find one with one of those backs on that the electricity repair gangs use, would be a very useful alternative to a van, so long as you didn't need to carry very bulky things.

VW caddy life is an ok compromise between family duties and tool hauling. Or a normal lwb caddy with an extra row of seats put in.