Does a small engine automatic van exist?

[casts_by_fly]

Hi All,

 

I think I may have found a solution for a small, cheap second car that I can use for fishing, shooting, and the dogs. I got rid of my A class as the insurance was running me nearly £600 a year, plus tax was another £215. I've found that if I can get a small van on the old tax schedule (pre march 2001) with a small engine, then the road tax is only £135 and I can get insurance for another £250. I could live with that outlay (plus used vans are cheap).

 

However, I only have an automatic license at the moment. I'd like to find an automatic van so I don't have to bother with my manual test, though if an auto doesn't exist then I'll take the manual exam. Does an auto exist? I've looked at escort vans and it doesn't look like it. I know there is an Astra van with (i think) a 1.5L. Any other small commercial vehicles I could try? Any websites specialize in commercials (autotrader has a ton to sift through aside from commercial).

 

Thanks,

Rick

[Beretta28g]

Id just get a manual test, youre much free-er.

[Penfolio]

Not quite as rare as hens teeth but, probably not far behind.

[Dunkield]

Learn to 'stick shift' Rick

[HDAV]

why under 1.5L? most commercial are manual. You might find the odd invalid/wheeler chair carriage type with an auto box. Take the manual test.

 

Astra were 1.4 or 1.6 petrol but most 2.0Di

 

Why not just get an auto jimny? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201208451244868/sort/default/usedcars/model/jimny/make/suzuki/page/1?logcode=p

Edited April 16, 2012 by HDAV

[casts_by_fly]

Hi Guys,

 

I'll answer all of the questions/comments a little better. I can drive a stick, so no problems there. I don't have the license for it, though so would have to take the test. More importantly, my wife doesn't drive stick and we would want her to be able to drive this car as well as our company car. It isn't mandatory, but would be a big help.

 

I want a smaller engine to keep the road tax down. It is ~£100 per year difference between a 1.5 (and smaller) compared to larger engines. My A160 was £220 because it was over the size threshold. If you stay under it is £135. While its not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, this is a second car that will only be run a couple hundred miles a year. I don't need it (the car), but it would be nice to have. So to that extent, saving more is better.

 

A jimney (or non van) would be nice, but the insurance is a lot higher. I'd be looking a touch over £500 a year for insurance alone for a jimney (a van is half that). My A class was £550. Most other 'reasonable' vehicles are in that same £500-£600 range for me. So if I can get a 1.4L van, then I would be looking at ~£400 per year running costs. If I go with a 1.6L auto, then I'm up nearer £1000. The latter is too much, the former I could justify.

 

Thanks,

Rick

[HDAV]

IF not using it a lot have you looked at a limited policy like NFU or car club policies? Jimny Auto would seem to meet all your requirements and be more useful in most situations than a van....

 

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/4x4/

http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/insurance.htm

 

TO not eon most van schemes you dont get NCD, do you have NCD from A class? if you have a company car as well then your current NCD would be lost if lapsed.

 

While small 4x4 are more to insure than similar car I can tsee vans being that much cheaper when i last looked a van was significantly more to insure!

 

THere are plenty of small Car derived vans out there Feista, Punto, Corsa, Rover 25, Escort, Astra etc but very few will be petrol or auto and under 1.4 and pre2001 infact cant find any! Only found post 2002

 

 

OK found it..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Kangoo-/140707733352?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item20c2d59f68#ht_1203wt_983

 

A lot of money for an old VAN! its a disabled driver conversion and looks like it was a car so you'll need to check the V5 to see if its a car or Van but i would stump the extra for Jimny or similar on limited mileage policy

Edited April 16, 2012 by HDAV

[casts_by_fly]

HDAV,

 

I've run all of the online quoting systems and they all come out in the same place for me- basically a little over £500. That included a couple comparison sites and soem of the specialist websites (one was recommended on the suzuki forum). Doing the same for a small escort van I was at £250 for the same named drives, address, mileage, etc. I could try Adrian Flux over the phone and see if a limited mileage policy would do better, but I'm not holding a lot of hope.

 

I don't have a NCB from the A class (at least I don't think I do). I'm not sure on the company car since we don't 'own' it rather it is through a leasing/capital company. If we can claim NCB on it, then there is no trouble with it lapsing as my wife and I both work for the same company and technically it is her car that I am allowed to drive.

 

I'm not worried about petrol vs diesel, in fact I prefer diesel.

 

Thanks,

Rick

[HDAV]

How long did you have the A class? insured for? Any claims?

 

ON Company cars its unusual to get personal NCB's, NCB makes the biggest difference to insurance cost. HAving a policy in your name allows you to build NCD try the same quote for Jimny with 3+ years NCD....

 

No Claims Discount/Bonus

 

Small diesel autos are even rarer...... tend not too work brilliantly

Edited April 16, 2012 by HDAV

[pimpkiller]

small van = Renault kangoo/ Citroen saxo/ Peugeot 106 van but frankly an estate would be better, ive just been looking at peogot 306 estates with the 90bhp HDI engine 55mpg low insurance for around £500 ( been to the moon and back)

[casts_by_fly]

HDAV,

 

I had it for 4 years, insured from day 1, no claims. So I should probably have 4 years of no claims on it. However, since I've had my UK license for <1 year, a lot of the companies don't recognize that it is possible to have more NCB built up than the number of years you've had your license. With 3 year NCB, social only, 500 mi /year, third party+fire+theft, no other bad conditions, wife on policy it is £527 so basically the same as all of the other policies.

 

pimp,

 

I agree that an estate would possibly be better, but the insurance cost will be double. Besides, I like the functional appointments of a van- rubber floor, metal walls, hose it out when you make a mess.

 

Thanks,

Rick

[HDAV]

WOrth ringing Adrian Flux IMO as they are specialist broker and specialise in the "not ordinary" situations well worth contacting your previous insurer for proof of no claims ASAP.

[pimpkiller]

go on directline site and stick all your details in, you wont have a problem with more NCB than years driven since its on tinternet. Then just amend your details for different vehicles its the quickest way to see what different cars will cost without putting all your details in over and over again. The insurance group dosnt always reflect the actual cost.

[casts_by_fly]

pimp,

 

for the same jimny above directline want 1200. They also have the same problem with ncb. They won't let you put in a ncb longer than you've had your license on the net. Probably would with a phone call, but there is no way 1200 will turn into 300. So looks like my options are either a small van or calling adrian flux.

 

thanks guys,

rick

[Schern]

Do Citroen do an auto berlingo? Not technically a van but same shape as one.

[apache]

Adrian Flux saved me a fortune. Give them a ring.

[HDAV]

Do Citroen do an auto berlingo? Not technically a van but same shape as one.

Berlingo is available as either a car (multispace) (5/7 seater with windows or a Van 2 seats), to get the benefit for the insurance/tax costs it needs to be a van on V5.

 

Peugeot partner are the same vehicle and there are some 1.4 petrol autos out there as i linked to but alot of money for an old van..... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/longtermtests/238060/peugeot_partner_tepee_5860_miles.html

 

But these are classed as cars for insurance and tax, not vans even though they share the same body and engine. Auto boxes and pre 2001 makes the requirement very specific there was one for sale but it was expensive for 10 year old motor....

 

Terios or Jimny are the most suited IMO, after that the list of small engine auto anything is limited

Edited April 19, 2012 by HDAV