I've had

Escort 55 ex BT van (bombproof)
Citroen Dispatch (I wouldn't give you the steam off my piss for one of these)
Mk7 transit trend (decent van)
Mercedes Vito (only for a couple of months)
Mk7 Transit limited (van perfection, quick, torquey, super reliable, comfortable, well spec'd, brilliant)
Transit Connect lwb. (Ok but boring)

The Citroen was an absolute bag of ****. Never again. I'd rather walk. Hopelessly unreliable. I returned it that many times to the dealer that I was on first name terms with the service manager. After literally about the tenth return for a fault I told him I'd never own another one, and he said “between me and you, you haven't even got a bad one”
I hated the Vito. It was gutless, loud and massively overpriced for the pitiful spec, with a stupid dash mounted handbrake lever.
My second transit was the best vehicle I've ever owned. Bar none, including all my cars.
The transit connect is ok, functional but dull.

Love my Caddy Van , 2010 with the 1.9tdi engine. 3 years now and it's never gone wrong bar a number plate bulb. Use a aluminium ramp on the rear to put the barrow in. Just requires the rods being removed.

In reply to Post #31
I've got a limited spec custom and that's a beaut too
If it's financially feasible I'd have a transit/Vito/transporter size or bigger over the small vans, or a big car

In reply to Post #33
VW CADDY - close thread 😁

In reply to Post #34
Got rid of my LWB Caddy as not quite big enough for 2 lots of gear and bait, boat, motor etc for European adventures and replaced it with the aforementioned Toyota Proace.

In reply to Post #32
Another vote for the caddy had a load of vans over the years this is nicest to drive by far I had a Vauxhall combo before that was a good van bit cheaper to buy as well but plenty good enough

In reply to Post #36
Bought a new Berlingo van during July last year. Best fishing investment I have made. Power porter goes in fully loaded, just need to remove the front bag and shorten the handles.
1.2 lit petrol, drives like a car, smooth, quiet and well equipped.

In reply to Post #16
That's not always true, I've changed over no claims for cars to vans back to cars nearly every year.

Stay away from the Citroen, Renault, Peugeot Crap.

Recently helped my son buy a brand new ford custom transit with a few extras....oh my god im now jealous of my own son...its pure luxuary...drives like a dream and the space... lovely but 10k over priced for me when i can get a people carrier for 15k.... i did ask my boy to swap....his answer was xxxx xxx lol

The old focus has nearly served its time do looking for something to replace it. Like the look of the Astra van 1.7. Anyone use these? Would prefer a more car derived van and the Astra looks a good shout

In reply to Post #41
I had an Astra van, it was ok but awkward getting the barrow in as had to unload it all and didn't like the glass back window as you could see any gear left in there. Had a berlingo for 5 years now and it's bang on, got the 1.6 diesel, great on mileage and service costs and intervals are reasonable. Loads of room in the back and nice to have a side sliding door

In reply to Post #39
VW snob by any chance?

In reply to Post #43
https://www.reliabilityindex.com/


https://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer

I think that people should look at the actual reliability record before making sweeping statements...

No German manufacturer home brands are in the top 25 ( of a list of 40 car manufacurers) of most reliable brand and this is based on actual claims from a warranty supplier...

In reply to Post #44
7 of the top 10 Japanese/Chinese (Rover)

I'll stick with my Hilux.....