Anyone Advise on best low cost Van ?

[Bobb1979]

Hi all

I am looking for some advice on the best low cost van to buy for my business. It doesnt need to have any 'mod cons' , just get me from A to B in the most economical way plus reliability is a must. I am not concerned if it is older as I would like to spend no more than £2000. It needs to be a small van about the same size as a Renault Kangoo.

I have had nothing but trouble with 2 of my vans ( both Renault Kangoos ) and now the final one has broken down so I really need something different and woulde NEVER consider a renault again

Any advice greatfully recieved/appreciated

 

[movietub]

It's a shame you don't want a slightly larger van with a slightly higher budget. We have run several Vauxhall Vivaro vans (also sold as Nissan Primastar or Renault Traffic) and they are bullet proof - Transits don't compare to these things - and that's a common builders pov on the matter these days!

I would avoid smaller purpose built vans, such as the kangoo/connect etc as these are a relatively new and low volume vehicle. In other words, there isn't 40+ years development in their DNA!

If you can cope with something a different shape from the Renault you have, you should consider a car derived van. These are, not surprisingly, as reliable and generally as cheap to repair/maintain as the car they are built on. The number of old Astra vans knocking around demonstrates my point!

But seriously - consider a step up... http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/makemo...code=PE1&pageNumber=3&gquery= VAUXHALL VIVARO

 

[Bobb1979]

Hi

Thanks for the advice, sadly I cannot justify a larger van muchlike those pointed out ( although i would love to ). We are only a small company with limited space for anything bigger - I would be looking at kangoo size really . My main concern is with the newer vans they are more likely to have issues with electronics etc. I have been told Vauxhall Combos are pretty good ?

 

[Feldon]

Hi I have a Citroen C15 Champ (Berlingo Size) and it has been very reliable, only cost me £995 with 48K on the clock, it was made from the 1980's till around 2004 and there are quite a few low mile bargain examples on ebay. O.K they are a bit ugly but I think they look a bit different and they are agricultural but just means that they is less to go wrong.

 

[tomp1986]

combo is rubbish mine drinks juice like a bmw m3

heard the belingos ar better

 

[iphoneglance]

combo is rubbish mine drinks juice like a bmw m3

heard the belingos ar better

I agree the combo is rubbish, drinks like a camel more like. Mines park and not going anywhere

 

[Consultant sea]

The Berlingos and partners are good runners. Good MPG from the 2.0 HDI models. Should be able to pick up a 2003/4 one for well under 2k.

 

[Bobb1979]

what concerns me about any french van now is availability of parts if something goes wrong

i have been waiting for 3 weeks on one part a 'boost pressure sensor' which my local garage cant get and tried internet and no luck - enault cant supply till 30 march!?

my thinking was at least with ford/vauxhall hopefully parts would be easier to source but im glad of the feedback on vauxhall combos so at least i know they arent all they are cracked up to be.

 

[Bobb1979]

what concerns me about any french van now is availability of parts if something goes wrong

i have been waiting for 3 weeks on one part a 'boost pressure sensor' which my local garage cant get and tried internet and no luck - enault cant supply till 30 march!?

my thinking was at least with ford/vauxhall hopefully parts would be easier to source but im glad of the feedback on vauxhall combos so at least i know they arent all they are cracked up to be.

 

[Matt1959]

It's a shame you don't want a slightly larger van with a slightly higher budget. We have run several Vauxhall Vivaro vans (also sold as Nissan Primastar or Renault Traffic) and they are bullet proof - Transits don't compare to these things - and that's a common builders pov on the matter these days!


http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/makemo...code=PE1&pageNumber=3&gquery= VAUXHALL VIVARO

you must have been lucky - they;re notorious for eating gearboxes!!

Plus, if you want cheap running costs, don't buy a common rail diesel!

If you want a van that won't go wrong much buy a Merc

 

[d-g.repairs]

Have to agree about the vivaro and trafic they call the chocolate gearboxes I know so many people that have had a new gearbox and they are not cheap to fix.
Transit connect's are fine I've had one for nearly 2 years and not been bad just the usual

 

[24hrservices]

Its a shame to hear about your Kangoo. We have one and have had no problems at all. Have also heard the Combo can be reliable but everyone will have their own opinions.

 

[longleaf1]

I've got a combo, cant say its been that bad but i used to have a transit connect as my company van when i was employed and that was much better. Probably be swapping to one of those in the next 18 months.

May be a silly comment but i think the panthers and the berlingos are just a but to feminine looking to be a working van - I just couldnt see myself driving one of those in my line of business but all depends what you do i suppose.

 

[chrisbarnes86]

If you want a van that won't go wrong much buy a Merc

Until they rust away!

Connect's aren't bad but the high mileage ones can suffer injector problems with very expensive repair bills!

 

[roydmoorian]

Have a look at an old style VW Caddy - bombproof 1.9 diesel. Plenty around for £2k with half their life still left.

If you go for a Transit Connect be aware that you will be breaking the dual carriageway speed limit at 61mph

 

[fattony]

just bought a fiat doblo, simply because of price really, 07 plate, 20k miles £4500 plus vat add about £2k if it was a connect add about £4k if it was a caddy, downside is its a fiat but its a van, I'd rather have more money in the bank or drive a nicer personal car then have a fancy badge on my van

 

[Bobb1979]

Would anyone reccoment a Vauxhall astra, citroen belingo or pergeot partner ? I am looking at vans now and from what people have said about the Combos am put off now.

Again the problem with Citroen and Pergot maybe getting parts if something goes wrong ?

 

[d-g.repairs]

I'd have an astra tomorrow if i could fit what i need in it good on fuel drives like a car well it is really a car.
The new model berlingois far better than the old model drives well good mpg.
I've got a transit connect lwb and too be honest I'd buy another and they can handle the miles plus plenty around
In reference to injectors problems all hile mileage vans and cars will have this problem along with the diesel pump

 

[movietub]

Again the problem with Citroen and Pergot maybe getting parts if something goes wrong ?

Just had to chip in again - Because the above is the best mispelling of Peugeot I have seen to date

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Don't buy secondhand. Lease New. Bargain like mad over price and contract cost and details.

No modern van is better than any other because they mostly use the same engines. Think Hdi diesel for best milage.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

what concerns me about any french van now is availability of parts if something goes wrong

My French car broke down in Spain. Problems getting part because the car was made in the UK. My earlier Renault was made in Italy.

You have to look very hard to find where your van/car is made.

 

[movietub]

No modern van is better than any other because they mostly use the same engines. Think Hdi diesel for best milage.

Surely there is a llot more to consider than the engine. A lot of vehicles share engines, but any number of other mechanical differences still exist. An engine itself is probably one of the least likely expenses. Engines have a very easy life compared to steering/gearbox/clutch/brakes etc.

Also, why Hdi for best mileage? Thats just refers to the terminology some manufacturers use. The same engine can be hdi or tdi, or any other acronym they choose.

Either way all current vans I can think of use high pressure common rail injection, however they describe and abbreviate it. Economy can be affected by a huge range of factors.

A quick glance at the stats and user surveys reveals the difference in reliabilty and economy of different vans, and is about the only way of making an 'informed' decision imo.

 

[craigbulgin]

Recently purchased a van from Olympus Van Sales in Glasgow. At first seemed to be nice people, honest and professional. Promising a good warranty scheme. They delivered our used van to us in Nottingham and at first seemed ok but discovered quite a few problems with doors not locking properly and water leaking in. Phoned Olympus and said to take it to a garage to get a quote for repairs. Olympus took weeks to get back to us to authorise the repairs and we had to chase them quite a lot, when we finally got the go ahead from them to do the work we took the van to our local garage to get it sorted. But when it came to paying the bill Olympus ignored us and didn't answer the phone. When we called on a different number they answered but kept saying the person we need to speak to was either off ill or at some sort of family emergency. In the mean time the local garage would not release our van until the bill was paid. A few days later however we did managed to get the van back but the garage said they are holding us responsible for the repairs. We are now taking Olympus to a small claims court to get our money. DO NOT DEAL WITH OLYMPUS VAN SALES OF GLASGOW. Quick to take your money but very poor on after sales care. Their warranty scheme is absolute B/S !!!! The chap I dealt with was called Alistair, full of promises but gives nothing !!

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Ive just bought an 09 plate VW Caddy, It cost 3k at auction and has 103k milles with a full VW dealer service history but that is nothing on these. Its my first caddy and I love it. £80 to fill it and ive done almost 600 miles with quarter of a tank left. and it has all the mod cons