Just toying with the idea of getting a van for fishing . I'd be the first to admit I know very little about what is and isn't a reliable option . Having done a little research myself I'm finding it difficult to find a make that doesn't have a history of cambelt / chain , AdBlue issues etc . I'm looking for something with a budget of something in the region of £12000-£15000 but a little flexible. Something reliable where I haven't got to worry about something major going wrong if such a van exists . Could someone more knowledgeable point me in the right direction please .
Thanks
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
I've been toying with one too, have put it off for a year due to having a littlun and cars are just safer while they're tiny.
Transits from 2017 to present have a wet belt. It's a 1200 quid thing every 60k. They do seem a good option other than that, bloke that invented it deserves a slap.
Stelantis vans, so expert, dispatch, new vivaro and the fiat one are the same. Weird driving position apparently but can't confirm. Many ad blue and egr problems. Good toys though on normal models. The 1.5s are cheap and have a 7mm chain between cams, avoid this one. 1.6s ok but 2 litre is better.
Vito come in two varieties, 1.5s are Renault engines and are cheap, 2.1s are merc engines so are expensive.
Transporters are overrated but that could be said for all vws.
All in all I'm no closer to making a decision on what I want. I too am looking at around 13k, I think a Peugeot expert but I don't know. Obviously the security on vans is a joke across the board.
I've been toying with one too, have put it off for a year due to having a littlun and cars are just safer while they're tiny.
Transits from 2017 to present have a wet belt. It's a 1200 quid thing every 60k. They do seem a good option other than that, bloke that invented it deserves a slap.
Stelantis vans, so expert, dispatch, new vivaro and the fiat one are the same. Weird driving position apparently but can't confirm. Many ad blue and egr problems. Good toys though on normal models. The 1.5s are cheap and have a 7mm chain between cams, avoid this one. 1.6s ok but 2 litre is better.
Vito come in two varieties, 1.5s are Renault engines and are cheap, 2.1s are merc engines so are expensive.
Transporters are overrated but that could be said for all vws.
All in all I'm no closer to making a decision on what I want. I too am looking at around 13k, I think a Peugeot expert but I don't know. Obviously the security on vans is a joke across the board.
I've got a 2015 Ford Custom crew cab (Cam Chain) , its absolutely perfect for what i need with the barrow and sons motocross hobby.
In my eyes the transits are one of the most comfiest vans to drive, ill take mine from the east coat to Aberdeen every month doing 550 mile trip with no ache or pains.
I am looking at upgrading to a newer auto transit panel van (for tax purposes through my company) I know its a wet belt but as long as its maintained before any schedule and regularly serviced (I currently service mine every 8000 miles) they will run forever.
In my eyes the transits are one of the most comfiest vans to drive, ill take mine from the east coat to Aberdeen every month doing 550 mile trip with no ache or pains.
I am looking at upgrading to a newer auto transit panel van (for tax purposes through my company) I know its a wet belt but as long as its maintained before any schedule and regularly serviced (I currently service mine every 8000 miles) they will run forever.
In reply to Post #3
Driving vans for a living I'd go with a custom to.
Look for a van auction Swansea used to have a big one but sure some other places do. Most of the vans for sale are ex lease vehicles and 3yrs old. So no fake service history. You will get a lot of commercial vehicle sales guys attending but worth a go.
I got a mint 3yr old Vauxhall combo a number of yrs ago 28k on the clock cost 5k.
Vauxhall dealers same van 50k on the clock 8.5K.
You can see most of the vehicles on the Web site if still going.
Driving vans for a living I'd go with a custom to.
Look for a van auction Swansea used to have a big one but sure some other places do. Most of the vans for sale are ex lease vehicles and 3yrs old. So no fake service history. You will get a lot of commercial vehicle sales guys attending but worth a go.
I got a mint 3yr old Vauxhall combo a number of yrs ago 28k on the clock cost 5k.
Vauxhall dealers same van 50k on the clock 8.5K.
You can see most of the vehicles on the Web site if still going.
Have got a Toyota Proace and have one previous so around 8yrs in total. Honestly a great van, minor issues but simple fixes and overall very impressed with them. Same shell as the Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhalls. Could probably pick one up second hand for the budget you have in good nick and not too old either.
I've got a 65 plate custom, one of the last of the chains! It's done 150k miles now and only wear and tear stuff gone so far. You could get a lovely example with that budget. I'd stay away from the wetbelt if you value peace of mind 😬 if it's just for fishing a swb would be fine I think but a lwb for fishing and other things is ideal for me.
Vw t5, owned it 10 years now, full service every year and it hasn't missed a beat, most reliable van I've ever own, I will be looking at a second hand t6 next time around, had a combo and a Kangoo in the past, the Kangoo was a great little van, got my gear in no problem
Thanks for the replies and suggestions . Because many makes share the same engine / body any inherent problems appear across more than one make . Don't fancy shelling out then inheriting loads of expensive problems . I thought it would be easy !!!
In reply to Post #8
Or reduce your budget then you have contingency money, I paid under 5 grand for a 64 plate vivaro and fitted it out to a good basic stan,could not be happier, 39 per gallon as well.
Or reduce your budget then you have contingency money, I paid under 5 grand for a 64 plate vivaro and fitted it out to a good basic stan,could not be happier, 39 per gallon as well.
In reply to Post #8
they all have their issues unfortunately. IMO the sweet spot is roughly 2013-2015 plate vans, that gets you a chain driven engine in either Transit Custom or Trafic/Vivaro/Primastar, a reasonably modern van but no ad blue issues to worry about.
You'll get a decent relatively low mileage van for your budget quite easily. Then just service regularly and fingers crossed!
they all have their issues unfortunately. IMO the sweet spot is roughly 2013-2015 plate vans, that gets you a chain driven engine in either Transit Custom or Trafic/Vivaro/Primastar, a reasonably modern van but no ad blue issues to worry about.
You'll get a decent relatively low mileage van for your budget quite easily. Then just service regularly and fingers crossed!
In reply to Post #1
Mercedes Vito or a VW Transporter, the Vito has twin sliding side doors as standard which is handy, and get one with a tailgate as it makes a great shelter.
Mercedes Vito or a VW Transporter, the Vito has twin sliding side doors as standard which is handy, and get one with a tailgate as it makes a great shelter.
In reply to Post #9
The Vauxhall Vivaro 1, based on the second generation Renault Trafic, was produced between 2001 and 2014
The Vauxhall Vivaro 2, based on the third generation Renault Trafic, was produced between 2014 and 2018
The Vauxhall Vivaro 3, which is based on the third generation Peugeot Expert, is currently produced from 2019
So, your vivaro is in fact a renault trafic.
The Vauxhall Vivaro 1, based on the second generation Renault Trafic, was produced between 2001 and 2014
The Vauxhall Vivaro 2, based on the third generation Renault Trafic, was produced between 2014 and 2018
The Vauxhall Vivaro 3, which is based on the third generation Peugeot Expert, is currently produced from 2019
So, your vivaro is in fact a renault trafic.
In reply to Post #11
If you do some research on VW vans you'll see so many horror stories from owners. Yep, I'm sure your one will is the best one ever made and be 100% reliable but for many going the VW way just leads to a money pit, I have yet to speak to a VW van owner and hear good feedback, most are in the never again opinion..
Mercedes are rebadging Renault Kangoo's as Citans and using Renault engines in Vito's as well. This is no doubt a positive move for Mercedes and will improve their reliability record because as a brand Renault have a very good reliability record whereas Mercedes have a poorer record (don't blame me for this statement, look at reliability feedback from warranty companies, Merc is a mid range performer at best whereas Renault are much higher rated), VW are mid range as well and Audi are bottom 10% - trying to be kind but it's just fact.
I see VW have now fully engaged with Wet belts with new models... I think we all know where this is going....
VW Models
T6 (pre-T6.1): These primarily use a dry timing belt for the camshaft and some models have a separate wet belt for the oil pump.
T6.1: These models feature a dry timing belt for the camshaft and a wet oil pump belt.
The New Transporter
This is a separate model, a joint venture with Ford, and it does have a wet camshaft timing belt.
I'm using a renault Kangoo maxi 1.5dci and it's been great, if I do replace it any time soon I'll be looking at a newer Kangoo maxi or one of the smaller Renault Trafic's, no wet belt fears and good reliability records.
If you do some research on VW vans you'll see so many horror stories from owners. Yep, I'm sure your one will is the best one ever made and be 100% reliable but for many going the VW way just leads to a money pit, I have yet to speak to a VW van owner and hear good feedback, most are in the never again opinion..
Mercedes are rebadging Renault Kangoo's as Citans and using Renault engines in Vito's as well. This is no doubt a positive move for Mercedes and will improve their reliability record because as a brand Renault have a very good reliability record whereas Mercedes have a poorer record (don't blame me for this statement, look at reliability feedback from warranty companies, Merc is a mid range performer at best whereas Renault are much higher rated), VW are mid range as well and Audi are bottom 10% - trying to be kind but it's just fact.
I see VW have now fully engaged with Wet belts with new models... I think we all know where this is going....
VW Models
T6 (pre-T6.1): These primarily use a dry timing belt for the camshaft and some models have a separate wet belt for the oil pump.
T6.1: These models feature a dry timing belt for the camshaft and a wet oil pump belt.
The New Transporter
This is a separate model, a joint venture with Ford, and it does have a wet camshaft timing belt.
I'm using a renault Kangoo maxi 1.5dci and it's been great, if I do replace it any time soon I'll be looking at a newer Kangoo maxi or one of the smaller Renault Trafic's, no wet belt fears and good reliability records.
In reply to Post #12
When I worked at a Renault garage we called them tragics. They were really bad
It was a very long time ago, but they ain't much better now
When I worked at a Renault garage we called them tragics. They were really bad
It was a very long time ago, but they ain't much better now
In reply to Post #14
Back in the 80's some German brands made decent cars and Renault made rubbish, in the 2020's it's Renault that make the decent cars and now the German brands making the overpriced rubbish - warranty companies are happy to share this data, just google it.
Things have changed, that's why Mercedes and Nissan rebadge Renault vans now as Merc's and Nissan's. Toyota also rebadge Stellantis vans.
Back in the 80's some German brands made decent cars and Renault made rubbish, in the 2020's it's Renault that make the decent cars and now the German brands making the overpriced rubbish - warranty companies are happy to share this data, just google it.
Things have changed, that's why Mercedes and Nissan rebadge Renault vans now as Merc's and Nissan's. Toyota also rebadge Stellantis vans.