Car or van?
Guess it depends on many factors. I have kids although the car I have is not suitable for going fishing. Doesn't even fit 1/3 of my gear. So I'm looking at something that will offer more cubic feet inside. Either an SUV or a small van like a Berlingo. Ideally want an auto transmission as I never want to go back to manual, so that narrows things down when looking at vans, although a 2nd hand SUV could offer more bang for buck. Wouldn't go for a new car again but then the car market seems to be abnormal right now. Used cars going for more than new atm?
Any petrol heads recommend or offer any advice please? What have you got now and if you could choose again what would you have?
Guess it depends on many factors. I have kids although the car I have is not suitable for going fishing. Doesn't even fit 1/3 of my gear. So I'm looking at something that will offer more cubic feet inside. Either an SUV or a small van like a Berlingo. Ideally want an auto transmission as I never want to go back to manual, so that narrows things down when looking at vans, although a 2nd hand SUV could offer more bang for buck. Wouldn't go for a new car again but then the car market seems to be abnormal right now. Used cars going for more than new atm?
Any petrol heads recommend or offer any advice please? What have you got now and if you could choose again what would you have?
In reply to Post #1
I've got a long wheelbase transit connect but one thing to bare in mind is it only has two seats. Not an issue now but when my kids were younger I always bought vans that had three seats like a full sized transit or a dispatch.
Have you thought about a crew cab. Best of both worlds then. Ample room in the back for gear, plus two rows of seats for you and kids.
I've got a long wheelbase transit connect but one thing to bare in mind is it only has two seats. Not an issue now but when my kids were younger I always bought vans that had three seats like a full sized transit or a dispatch.
Have you thought about a crew cab. Best of both worlds then. Ample room in the back for gear, plus two rows of seats for you and kids.
In reply to Post #1
Get an estate mate, had loads over the years and they're very good. Can even put a big roof box on to get more space. Perfect for the family, fishing, carrying big loads, going the supermarket, going the tip, everything.
That said, I've got a Skoda Karoq SUV atm, and they too are very good.A bit of extra flexibility because the back seats come out.
Get an estate mate, had loads over the years and they're very good. Can even put a big roof box on to get more space. Perfect for the family, fishing, carrying big loads, going the supermarket, going the tip, everything.
That said, I've got a Skoda Karoq SUV atm, and they too are very good.A bit of extra flexibility because the back seats come out.
I think it depends if you can load up and drive straight to and from the lake. If so I'd use a car, either big boot or estate. Nicer to drive, more petrol/non diesel options and you can go through the f****ing Rotherhithe tunnel.
If not and you need to have your gear parked up while you work then a van and lack of windows gives you better piece of mind.
If not and you need to have your gear parked up while you work then a van and lack of windows gives you better piece of mind.
In reply to Post #1
Estate will fill all your needs. Get the comfort and luxaries off a car with additional space for as much fishing gear you can throw at it. Cost obviously also plays a part
Estate will fill all your needs. Get the comfort and luxaries off a car with additional space for as much fishing gear you can throw at it. Cost obviously also plays a part
Van, use a ramp and just wheel your loaded up barrow straight into it.
Sod having a car anymore. Even an estate. Having to go through that rigmarole of folding down the seats, loading the car one bit by one and then dismantling your barrow. With windows so everyone can see your kit inside. That's not for me.
Sod having a car anymore. Even an estate. Having to go through that rigmarole of folding down the seats, loading the car one bit by one and then dismantling your barrow. With windows so everyone can see your kit inside. That's not for me.
In reply to Post #1
As you have kids , as do I. We'll 1 kid and a missus.
So I needed at least one if not two rear seats for a mate etc.
Look up 'wheelchair vans' on eBay.
I ended up with a Peugeot expert with a rear ramp
Windows, 2 rear seats . And can barrow straight on. No Vat and low mileage and price too.
As you have kids , as do I. We'll 1 kid and a missus.
So I needed at least one if not two rear seats for a mate etc.
Look up 'wheelchair vans' on eBay.
I ended up with a Peugeot expert with a rear ramp
Windows, 2 rear seats . And can barrow straight on. No Vat and low mileage and price too.
In reply to Post #7
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224807447890
But this is more like.mine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294785070812
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224807447890
But this is more like.mine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294785070812
In reply to Post #1
Ive got a Transit Custom M-Sport, i love it, its the longest ive ever kept a vehicle (5yrs)
two sets in front, 3 seats in crew cab, then bulk head and loads room in the rear for whatever.
remove seats and bulks head, stupid amount of room for loads of fishing gear (especially when going to France), two racebikes, generator, tyre warmers and all the kit i need for tracks
190BHP, got all the toys, blue tooth, sat nav, electric everything...blah blah
would i buy another...YES
only down side is the speeding restrictions on vans
Ive got a Transit Custom M-Sport, i love it, its the longest ive ever kept a vehicle (5yrs)
two sets in front, 3 seats in crew cab, then bulk head and loads room in the rear for whatever.
remove seats and bulks head, stupid amount of room for loads of fishing gear (especially when going to France), two racebikes, generator, tyre warmers and all the kit i need for tracks
190BHP, got all the toys, blue tooth, sat nav, electric everything...blah blah
would i buy another...YES
only down side is the speeding restrictions on vans
In reply to Post #9
Had my eye on one of these a while now, same configuration as you have.
Price at the minute though is hefty
Good looking van though
Had my eye on one of these a while now, same configuration as you have.
Price at the minute though is hefty
Good looking van though
In reply to Post #10
yeah mate, love it, mines the blue one.
i cant fault it in anyway. drives like a large car, does average 38mph, i can get 45 ish on motorways
yeah mate, love it, mines the blue one.
i cant fault it in anyway. drives like a large car, does average 38mph, i can get 45 ish on motorways
In reply to Post #7
I know someone whose got a wheelchair van,it's a skoda roomster, all he does is open the door and wheel up his kit ..
Myself ,and I'd get another in a heartbeat is a Honda Crv,best all round family workhorse I have owned,since my redblock 940se Volvo which I had for 12 years.
Goes anywhere,pretty much ,will get you around safely when roads are poor ,icy or snow ,across fields,campsites,shooting parties all sorts, but big enough,to not get bullied of the road in summertime by Chelsea tractors..taking up narrow lanes .
My kit goes in lovely, barrow goes in fully assembled ,great vehicle, if you can find an old mk1 ,get one..!
I know someone whose got a wheelchair van,it's a skoda roomster, all he does is open the door and wheel up his kit ..
Myself ,and I'd get another in a heartbeat is a Honda Crv,best all round family workhorse I have owned,since my redblock 940se Volvo which I had for 12 years.
Goes anywhere,pretty much ,will get you around safely when roads are poor ,icy or snow ,across fields,campsites,shooting parties all sorts, but big enough,to not get bullied of the road in summertime by Chelsea tractors..taking up narrow lanes .
My kit goes in lovely, barrow goes in fully assembled ,great vehicle, if you can find an old mk1 ,get one..!
In reply to Post #1
It's a van for me. VW Caddy. When fishing at my syndicate in the uk I've got a powerporter mk8 and a ramp. Just need to load up the barrow and run it up the ramp. Do need to take the handle of though but it's a 1 minute job. Fishing in France we use a Transit for two. No barrows needed as we've alway driven to the swims to unload and then park the van. I leave all the uk gear in the caddy on the barrow. No side windows and blackout panels on the rear.
It's a van for me. VW Caddy. When fishing at my syndicate in the uk I've got a powerporter mk8 and a ramp. Just need to load up the barrow and run it up the ramp. Do need to take the handle of though but it's a 1 minute job. Fishing in France we use a Transit for two. No barrows needed as we've alway driven to the swims to unload and then park the van. I leave all the uk gear in the caddy on the barrow. No side windows and blackout panels on the rear.
In reply to Post #1
Mitsubish LWB Shogun, nothing compares, you will never get stuck! You can get the Mk 8 powerporter in, I just got some pieces of wood cut to make a ramp. I bought mine in the UK for £5K with 60,000 miles on it and drove it to France where it is now registered. Been in awe of it since I bought it 2 years ago.
Mitsubish LWB Shogun, nothing compares, you will never get stuck! You can get the Mk 8 powerporter in, I just got some pieces of wood cut to make a ramp. I bought mine in the UK for £5K with 60,000 miles on it and drove it to France where it is now registered. Been in awe of it since I bought it 2 years ago.
In reply to Post #9
Im curious everyone that mentions to buy a van on here. Are you all using the van as your normal car or is the van also used for work etc?
I can't get to grips why anyone would choose a van over a standard suv/estate etc if they don't use it for work also? For a daily a van is slow, not nearly as nice to drive, noisy, low fuel consumption, higher tax bracket depending what you comparing it to, a mission to get MOT'd and as mentioned more restrictions in place. Parking/driving it in narrow country streets also not ideal. In general insurance also a lot higher.
Not knocking anyones choice each to their own genuinely asking to see if people actually has it as their main family car if not needed for work. Appreciate you get lots of space but not like you fishing every day 😂😂
Im curious everyone that mentions to buy a van on here. Are you all using the van as your normal car or is the van also used for work etc?
I can't get to grips why anyone would choose a van over a standard suv/estate etc if they don't use it for work also? For a daily a van is slow, not nearly as nice to drive, noisy, low fuel consumption, higher tax bracket depending what you comparing it to, a mission to get MOT'd and as mentioned more restrictions in place. Parking/driving it in narrow country streets also not ideal. In general insurance also a lot higher.
Not knocking anyones choice each to their own genuinely asking to see if people actually has it as their main family car if not needed for work. Appreciate you get lots of space but not like you fishing every day 😂😂