Davyo Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 Looking for a small Van for fishing but seems to be so many to chose from.Want diesel & air-con but not to bothered about performance (wouldn't mind a side door). Seen loads on Auto Trader but have no experience of them, my head is telling me to go Ford ( had loads of Fords in my time and very little if any issues).However i only have a £7k budget so a new'ish Ford connect is out. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 from 1988 to 2014 i had for wildfowling and fishing etc Exclussively Vauxhall astra vans. Right from a B reg mark 1 diesel 1600 to a 2008 cdti 1.7. had 6 of them over that period all were pretty reliable i had a mk 4 which gave trouble in the clutch department that was anoying slap band in the middle of the season it was i had to strip it down outside in the winter as we had builders in and no garage, was a job and a half in those conditions let me tell you. I had an mk 3 crack a cylinder head a 1.7 isuzu engined one i got a used head had it skimed rebuilt fitted it and it was just fine after that. Other than that nothing real terrible a few bearings ussual belts oil filters wiper blades just everyday stuff they all worked hard and were not bad to be fair. On diesel they are ok they return well into the 50s mpg generaly , they are a bit guttles on hills but overall i think they are an ideal little knock about shooting van. I only went with a T5 VW because i wanted a bigger van for the three lads to come with me when they got big enough. plus i could carry a small quad and trials bikes in it if need be with no need for a trailer. Would i go back to astras now, ... I dont know to be honest, I think i might just look at a VW caddy the caddy max i am liking VWs right now, but another van im hearing good stuff about is those fiat vans the newer ones like the post office use. I met a wildfowler at castle stewart last year had one he was looking at the T5 over a cup of tea, we got to talking about the fiat and it sounded a good van, but like me i think he wanted a bit more room. Good luck. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDS Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 Not quite a van , but a good utility vehicle is a Citroen C3 Picasso I have had one for 18 months and with the seats down its like a little tardis High driving position and good ground clearance Plenty well within your budget on auction sites , diesel ,air-con and much more as standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 Not quite a van , but a good utility vehicle is a Citroen C3 Picasso I have had one for 18 months and with the seats down its like a little tardis High driving position and good ground clearance Plenty well within your budget on auction sites , diesel ,air-con and much more as standard Cheers mate, didn't think of that plus no VAT. just been on auto trader 2014 plate c3 picasso 1.6 HDi 8v 29k miles £6999.Just drop the rear seats.Think i will have a drive around the garages on Friday and test drive a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) hello, not wishing to hijack your post but i am thinking to change my motor a small 4 x 4 Dihatsu Terios as i would like to find a similar but with a rear door that opens up instead of a side open being better to sit under if raining or in winter shooting from back seats folded down where i can still get some warmth if i am rat/rabbit shooting. i am not to versed on what would be suitable with all the makes of motors, if anyone has an idea would be appreciate, 1,300/1,500 cc max. cheers Edited September 14, 2016 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 I'd second the vauxhall, our work van is a 2003 I think astra sportive. Handles well for what it is, can be a bit gutless up big hills but has about 190k on it and never had an issue. All we've done is brakes, tyres, waterpump, auxiliary drive belt and a service about 40k ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 Got a Renault Kango....only had it a month seems to be a cracking little van, well pleased up to now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Another one to think about is the good old Nissan X-Trail with the rear seats folded down there is loads of space in the back and they have the advantage of having 4 wheel drive works very good on muddy fields and has the advantage of driving lick a normal estate car not at all like a proper 4x4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) Another one to think about is the good old Nissan X-Trail with the rear seats folded down there is loads of space in the back and they have the advantage of having 4 wheel drive works very good on muddy fields and has the advantage of driving lick a normal estate car not at all like a proper 4x4. Forgot to add i already have a 4x4 that i will be keeping (Jimny) plus im getting my wifes 65 plate car when she gets her new one.I just wanted a comfortable small economical small Van type thing for fishing.It will also be used for towing a small day boat(on order for next April).However ive got a test drive on a Citreon Picasso C3 in the morning on a 14 plate.If its ok i will poss buy that. Edited September 15, 2016 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thumbs up for Renault kangoo from me! mine gets me everywhere, work and play. 1.5 td Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I have often thought that it would be fun to have a little white van just for the hell of it and it has the advantage of as there are so many little white vans about you can bled in if you do not want people to see you now what I mean nug nug wink wink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I bought a 05 plate vauxhall combo 2 years ago with 82k on clock it's the 1. 3cdti for £900 qwid ex post van clean inside just had a new clutch and flywheel fitted before I bought it had fuw little dents no rust been spot on fitted sum front seats out a corsa Sri as they were worn got them from local scrap yard £15 each just needed a vet vac. I've drove it through fields the lot never been stuck yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Only went for the 1.3 diesel as it's a Fiat engine and as I work in a fist garage fixing cars I no my way round them want a doblo 1.3 realy but alot more expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I bought a 05 plate vauxhall combo 2 years ago with 82k on clock it's the 1. 3cdti for £900 qwid ex post van clean inside just had a new clutch and flywheel fitted before I bought it had fuw little dents no rust been spot on fitted sum front seats out a corsa Sri as they were worn got them from local scrap yard £15 each just needed a vet vac. I've drove it through fields the lot never been stuck yet I have to say brother had a ex gpo combo rear seat windows engine was quiet as a mouse ran great good MPG he was down on his luck when he bought it, he was due a break to be fair and that little van did just that it worked fantastic, i very nearly bought it when he needed a bigger van i acctualy regret not buying it. Great little vans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) I bought a 05 plate vauxhall combo 2 years ago with 82k on clock it's the 1. 3cdti for £900 qwid ex post van clean inside just had a new clutch and flywheel fitted before I bought it had fuw little dents no rust been spot on fitted sum front seats out a corsa Sri as they were worn got them from local scrap yard £15 each just needed a vet vac. I've drove it through fields the lot never been stuck yet You was lucky getting a good post van most of our post people tend to drive like nutters and wreck there vans they all tend to be covered in dents and scuffs. Edited September 16, 2016 by four-wheel-drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Citroen Bipper will be just the job for you Davyo Peugeot do the same van with a different name. Stay away from the 1.6 HDI diesel engines they are problematic. I had a Fiat Doblo Van 1.9 JTD 105 BHP same engine as the Alpha Romeos use it was a flying machine that could return 60 plus mpg if driven lightly on a run. Little big van that was nice to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted September 18, 2016 Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 I bought a 05 plate vauxhall combo 2 years ago with 82k on clock it's the 1. 3cdti for £900 qwid ex post van clean inside just had a new clutch and flywheel fitted before I bought it had fuw little dents no rust been spot on fitted sum front seats out a corsa Sri as they were worn got them from local scrap yard £15 each just needed a vet vac. I've drove it through fields the lot never been stuck yet I love my little combo, best little van I've ever owned. pretty quick too and will show a clean pair of heels to some of the chavs cruising the streets while coming home from a nights shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted September 18, 2016 Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 If the 1.3 engine ever gives up the will to live it's getting a red top 16 valve conversion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 (edited) Well ended up with a Citrion C3 Pacasso Hdi 1.6 VTR + 32k full service history (HPI check came back clear).Originally wanted some thing nearly new 14 or 15 plate and got totally fed up of salesmen last week But on a plus side it only cost me 4k soive 3k left in my pocket. So bought private and got a warranty from warranty direct. The Jimny goes on Friday though.Citreon drives nice and smooth and there is loads of space in the boot and its like a small van with the rear seats down. Edited September 27, 2016 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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