WGD Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 I'm looking to buy a cheap small van for running around in, £3 - £5k but cheaper the better. Looking initially at Transit Connect (father in law has one, seems ok, not sure how economical they are); Citreon Berlingo (supposedly very economical and cheap but French) and VW Caddy (expensive). At the kind of money I'm talking about it would be an older van or a high mileage although most seem relatively high mileage anyway. Thoughts and advice welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Vector Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Don't buy a Transit Connect - they're total poo. I have one and I hate it. It's currently SORN, awaiting disposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooterluke Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Have you thought of a vauxhall astra van get a good one within your budget good on diesel plenty of room for your shooting tackle comfy just a make to consider will not go far wrong with one Atb luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Renault kangoo take some beating imo, i have run them for the past 10 years with no problems. cheap to buy and cheap to run. 1.5 turbo diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 If your thinking of using it for your shooting needs try the kangoo 4x4 wish I could get my hands on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordripon Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 I bought my 03 plate astra van seven years ago for £1800 with 100,000 miles on it. it now has 170,000 on the clock and has had one alternator changed, 3 oil and filter changes and two sets of tyres, that is it !!!! 1.7 dti izuzu engine is a great lump, good on fuel and pulls well when needed . its not bad off road in the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thanks guys, couple of options there I hadn't considered. Not too worried about 4 x 4 capability, its more to keep the miles off the truck, be better on fuel and be able to jump in and out at building sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 My brother in law had the 1.7cdti vauxhall combo which we used for our mobile disco business. Was a pretty good little van didnt cost him anything over the 5 years of ownership. Gave great mpg even when sitting on the bump stops from all the gear we put in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 I have had good success with my Berlingo. 6yrs without a hiccup and intend to buy another. Just waiting for an XTR+ version with limited slip dif etc to be available in any other colour than white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Those VW combos look good as you can get them with rear seats plus you have space as in a van etc plus a side opening door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 3-5k will get you a tidy caddy 2k, or a pimped 9k, like mine it was a bit of a cow in the beginning, but she's sorted now, regular maintenance is a must, the last guy didn't spend a ha'penny on it hence why I had to spend so much i'm thinking about starting up a charity, the RSPCVW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Peugeot partner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rimotu66 Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 How about the classic option, you could get a renovated Morris 1000 ex GPO van for your budget, easy to work on, reliable and will go anywhere even in snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) Got to say the corsa van is good cheap to buy and run loads pace the size of a big estate reasonably comfy just get one with AC elec windows loads of ex BT ones about for next to nothing. Astras are good but load space is a pita agree on the 1.7 dti lump http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/corsavan/2009-vauxhall-corsa-d-1-3-cdti-direct-network-rail-with-air-con-diesel-wokingham-vfpa-8aa12dbd46f136ce0146f3a96fa6674d/bodytype/car-derived-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/corsavan Edited October 2, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 My brother in law had the 1.7cdti vauxhall combo which we used for our mobile disco business. Was a pretty good little van didnt cost him anything over the 5 years of ownership. Gave great mpg even when sitting on the bump stops from all the gear we put in ;)I If 4x4's not an option then the combo's your man, had a 1.7D for two and a bit years sometimes putting 1000 miles a week on it, never missed a beat until some robbing **** took a shine to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Renault kangoo take some beating imo, i have run them for the past 10 years with no problems. cheap to buy and cheap to run. 1.5 turbo diesel. +1. I ran one for 5 years. Got rid when it had 160k on the clock. The only fault it ever had was a broken indicator stalk, which took me 30 min to replace, and I've got fists of purest ham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 +1. I ran one for 5 years. Got rid when it had 160k on the clock. The only fault it ever had was a broken indicator stalk, which took me 30 min to replace, and I've got fists of purest ham. You can also fit about 70 woodpigeons in the front footwell when needs must Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazbev Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'm surprised about the negative remarks regarding transit connects, we have a large fleet and they have been amoungst the most reliable vans we have ever had,ford parts are cheap too, I don't know about fuel consumption though. I have a fiat dobolo and apart from how it looks it's a cracking van, 35 mpg plus and I carry a lot of weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'm surprised about the negative remarks regarding transit connects, we have a large fleet and they have been amoungst the most reliable vans we have ever had,ford parts are cheap too, I don't know about fuel consumption though. I have a fiat dobolo and apart from how it looks it's a cracking van, 35 mpg plus and I carry a lot of weight Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 I have a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 diesel. I've only ever put fuel in it and serviced it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark L Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 The 1.7 Astra is a great van we had one at work it was the best van we had , we also had berlingos they are not worth two rows of sheep **** We're a fiat dealer at work I would never buy one of then either!!! I've been looking at buying a 1.7astra for myself there very good !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilts#Dave Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I've had a transit connect for the past 5 years now, been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned! Higher driving position that berlingo/combo/ kangoo and doesn't squat down at the back when I put some weight in the back like they do. Luck of the draw whatever you buy when it's getting on a bit though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babs2020 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 i had Astra van for 5 years for my window cleaning business and was great i need something a bit bigger so have a combo now same engine as Astra great work horse would buy again no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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