Buying a van?

I would be looking at the Citroen Dispatch /FIAT/PUG vans as they are fairly cheap to buy and run with plenty of choice. Nice and easy to chuck a load of bikes, toys or tools in the back, my mates dispatch regularly gets driven all over the place and over the three or so years he's had it, has had little problems. It's also fits a double bed in the back so a weekends mountain biking can be made even cheaper :)

If you want a gucci one try and find one with central locking and A/C. Then again, maybe not as its just more to go wrong!
 
Currently driving the 7.34m extra tall VW crafter, would recomend for transporting large stuff, plenty of room etc as you would expect, but the drive itselfis horrible. 1st gear is truly dreadful. So much so I have almost started subconsiously to ignore it and just pull away in 2nd.
 
ash_scotland88 said:
Currently driving the 7.34m extra tall VW crafter, would recomend for transporting large stuff, plenty of room etc as you would expect, but the drive itselfis horrible. 1st gear is truly dreadful. So much so I have almost started subconsiously to ignore it and just pull away in 2nd.
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For when its fully loaded up weight wise.

The flatbed transits you can use second to pull away in when empty, different story when there is over a ton on the back.
 
Berger said:
For when its fully loaded up weight wise.

The flatbed transits you can use second to pull away in when empty, different story when there is over a ton on the back.
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I thought that was the case as it's a stupidly short gear, but even changing up into 2nd the van seems to jump.
This is even using my technique of "drive like the queen is in the back with a glass full of champagne and you can't spill a drop on her" to make me think more about a smooth gear change and gentle breaking.**

Unless of course I am just being a **** driver currently.


**I get just as much fun driving like this as I do boosting about the place.

edit: An other complaint I have about the van, is when clutch is down for changing there's a horrible vibration on the pedal, almost like a grinding feeling. I am the only one that seems to have noticed this or commented on this but everyone else wears thick soled boots.
 
As suggested, a bike doesn't fit properly into a berlingo, mine did fit but the bars were swung round, ok if you have a shaggy bike...

I'd suggest a vw t4 just because I have one and think it's great. You could pick up a mint one for about 5-6k, or perhaps closer to 4k for an ok one. MPG is closer to 40 so you lose out there a bit, but they are great and will go forever. The only other van I'd consider is a caddy, not a fan of ford though I have little experience to back that up. Have you thought about an estate car?
 
I've test driven two Berlingos now, and generally they're a bit naff. Which is a bit sad as on paper they looked okay. Thinking about the VW Caddy now despite it's higher cost and even the Transporter/Vito/Vivaro in their smallest configurations.

I might be able to live this this Transporter... apart from it being an auto!
 
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clv101 said:
Any comments on how something like this: http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/makemo...-id/at8a647b6f2f48f3f3012fba5276a12fda/advert

Compares to a similar age Berlingo Multispace?
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I got mine at 20k December 2009 and im just about to creep over 58k. Uncomfortable and crap on fuel are some of its worst points ... (under 300 miles to a £60 tank) not sure who designed the seats but nearly everyone who has ever sat in it comments on how bad they are. Then theirs the fact its been in and out of the garage quite a few times with stupid issues. My mate owns a garage and says the company's who run transit connects seem to have the same thoughts as me.

Personally i wouldn't buy one if it was my cash :)
 
Wouldn't touch a vito, they rust like no other van I've ever seen. Fyi the best engine in the T4 is the 2.5 5cyl tdi, ideally the 102bhp (or there abouts). You can tell the bhp from the badge, the one with the blue I in tdi is the 80ish bhp model, silver i is 102 and red i is 130 but I think that only came in the bigger lwb versions.

If you need any info on the T4 or 2003 berlingo feel free to ask.
 
Sorry for the thread resurrect, but I'm in the same boat now and looking to buy a C20 Caddy, ideally looking to spend £7 000 and would love the sportline trimming, but guess that might be out of reach.

Can anyone suggest or recommend where I can buy one from, or shall I just scour the usual suspects - Pistonheads/Ebay etc for a private sale?
 
Have you considered an auction purchase, most of the fleet vehicles will go through someone like BCA who will warrant major faults as long as your not in the general sale in the furthest hall.

What is your intention for the van? do you need the 'prestige' of the caddy? They aren't good value for money.
 
maccapacca said:
Have you considered an auction purchase, most of the fleet vehicles will go through someone like BCA who will warrant major faults as long as your not in the general sale in the furthest hall.

What is your intention for the van? do you need the 'prestige' of the caddy? They aren't good value for money.
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Well, see I'm weary of the competition, as the only other vans I like the look of are the new Berlingos. I trust the VW engine and like the look of the van it self, but no I don't need the prestige of the caddy and open to recommendations.

I've not looked at auction houses as I must admit I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to cars and don;t know what to look out for, so have been scared off auctions.
 
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