Which new van?

[StickNtig]

Hi guys,

Im after some recommendations or opinions.

I need another van, it will be kitted out with a large generator welder, burning gear, and need space for tools, equipment etc.

Im torn between 3 main choices-

Transit
Vivaro long wheel base
LDV Maxus


Does anyone have any experience of either of these vans? Reliability etc

Thanks in advance

Will

 

[mike os]

I had an LWB vivaro, good, reliable IME, but got rid at end of warrenty...

 

[StickNtig]

I do like the vivaro, but i have worries on the reliabilty, i am swayed towards the transit or the ldv.

 

[tigler]

Driven all three and my vote goes to the Vivaro, although I haven't driven the very latest Tranny.

 

[StickNtig]

Thanks.
I wont be buying new i usually buy about 3 years old, that way they've done most of the depreciating!

The van i use for my run around at the moment is a 2008 vauxhall astravan, 4 years ago it was £16,000 + VAT, i payed £3500 6 months ago! In 4 years it lost £12,500!!!

 

[tigler]

Good plan !! Only companies can justify buying new vans.

 

[StickNtig]

True, were only a small company and I only employ sub-contractors so they have their own vehicles, I also couldnt hand over 20 grand for a van knowing that in a few years time it would be work a fraction of that!

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Hi all, the Maxus goes very quickly indeed* engine and gbx wise it's brilliand but the tinwork is a bit flimsey. The new tranny we have as an oss box (60 plate) and isnt bad either

*MOD following complaint about langauge

 

[pedrobedro]

The bike shop has a 2009 140hp Transit with all mod cons and 6 speed box and it is a lovely thing to drive. I'd be happy to use it for daily transport.

 

[StickNtig]

Iv read a few reviews and the ldv maxus always comes up as being very good engine and gearbox, and reliability being my main concern seems a strong selling point.

 

[matt1978]

I have a 10 month old Trafic sport SWB (pretty much same as the Vivaro) it's the quick shift auto box but fuel economy is pretty dire. 32/33 mpg if your lucky.

As said, I've only had it just under a year and it's already become a bit rattley.

It has 3 yr warranty and it's only leased for 3 yrs so it shouldn't cost that much apart from the annual service, but I'd be dubious of one out of warranty.

Have you considered leasing? At least you can swap for a new one at regular intervals. It's surprisingly cheap aswell.

 

[mike os]

traffic/vivaro/primastar is the same van, only the "makers" detailing and spec change... all built by/from renault

 

[matt1978]

Nissan don't have the Primastar anymore. All of the SWB are made in the Vauxhall plant in Luton and all of the LWB in France.

The Renault version had a higher spec for their Sports, than the Sportive from Vauxhall, full colour built in sat nav and mett paint color coded all way round. However, the bigger 2.5 litre engine is only available on the LWB of Renault but you can get it on both the SWB and LWB

 

[zx9]

traffic/vivaro/primastar is the same van, only the "makers" detailing and spec change... all built by/from renault

I thought they were all made in Luton by GM, I can not help with the original question though, been a Vito driver. (180,000 miles on the last one just turned 100,000 on this one 08 reg.)

Edit : Thanks Matt I did not know about the LWBs

 

[mike os]

my lwb & mates swb... all parts (that I saw) have renault badges, stickers or imprints except "branding" items...

2nd hand tank from a nissan & fuel sender from traffic were identical ( not nearly... totally)to the ones I took out after hitting a log at 70.... just glad it went under not over cos the fuel sender is on teh drivers side


so basically it just comes down to price & availability... and if new/warranty applicable is there a dealer locally

 

[T.E.D. Jordan]

I can't comment on the reliability of the others but I couldn't bring myself to buy a transit for that reason. My father owns a minibus business and a mechanics business and transits seem to always have lots of faults the worst being the long wheelbase/rwd. It was the same story at the fabrication firm where I used to work and their fleet.

I cannot understand how people regard the transit as 'the best van ever', as the competition in general would have to be absolutely appauling to constitute a statement like that imo!

As usual there will always be a swarm of people to disagree and they'd be justified, as we all have our own opinions and evidence for/against an arguement like that. I also can't say I've driven a better van other than the newer vw's (which aren't bullit-proof either) but they're very expensive. The transit is a good drive though.

Jordan