Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[rocker]

ive got a pug bipper, i know its a samll van but its great to have to dash around the city in

I'm in no position to comment (Rockin' a '94 Clio), but I could never drive anything called a 'Bipper'. What were they thinking? It sounds like a cartoon chihuahua!

 

[Tin]

I'm in no position to comment (Rockin' a '94 Clio), but I could never drive anything called a 'Bipper'. What were they thinking? It sounds like a cartoon chihuahua!

it was the pug bipper or the fiat nemo, both are the same.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

I run a Transit Connect. Not too bad on fuel, i get about 35 to the gallon fully loaded and mixed driving. Its got plenty of load space. Nice to drive and cheap on the maintenance.

 

[c.p.c]

I drive a vauxhall version of the traffic.Love it to bits and would have another, just make sure you get a good one (well serviced, self employed old boy one owner type ) otherwise you will be replacing that weak gearbox they can go 40K onwards- depending on how abused- overwiating(towing)-Young boy racers etc.If the service history is incomplete the turbo can blow early due to dirty oil.Mine has nearly done 160K and stills give good mpg and the drive is great!The turbo has started to whissle abit when cold and iam getting alittle oil in the intercooler pipes so that will need to be replaced over the next 10K miles or so ,£300 for a new one and not 100% impossable to change yourself not bad for an 8 year old van.Worth every penny as it is so reilable.

Something to be aware of though if you are a tinker: Don`t buy the Renult version.Alot of the parts in renult viechiles are coded to match the ecu wich makes it a garage job every time.The ecu needs to be reprogrammed/reset when changing simple senors or pumps etc to make them work.

 

[Amp David]

I drive a vauxhall version of the traffic.Love it to bits and would have another, just make sure you get a good one (well serviced, self employed old boy one owner type ) otherwise you will be replacing that weak gearbox they can go 40K onwards- depending on how abused- overwiating(towing)-Young boy racers etc.If the service history is incomplete the turbo can blow early due to dirty oil.Mine has nearly done 160K and stills give good mpg and the drive is great!The turbo has started to whissle abit when cold and iam getting alittle oil in the intercooler pipes so that will need to be replaced over the next 10K miles or so ,£300 for a new one and not 100% impossable to change yourself not bad for an 8 year old van.Worth every penny as it is so reilable.

Something to be aware of though if you are a tinker: Don`t buy the Renult version.Alot of the parts in renult viechiles are coded to match the ecu wich makes it a garage job every time.The ecu needs to be reprogrammed/reset when changing simple senors or pumps etc to make them work.

I take it thats the Vivaro then

 

[c.p.c]

I take it thats the Vivaro then

Yep thats it, Thanks. I can never pronounce it properly or will spell it with too many i`s like i`ve left me scroll lock on

 

[bugsy]

After this post it'll proberbly go **** up

Silver vavaro cdti , 150,00 from new (4 years old ) serviced three times never broken down - sorry I lie clutch went 10,000 miles ago apart from pads (lots) and disc's ( nearly lots ) its been as good as gold
air con leccy windows elc mirrors led lighting . no complaints what so ever

 

[Johno]

citroen dispatch, i love it

 

[jase]

No-one has mentioned the VW Caddy, i had the 1.9 sdi version of these before going overseas for a while, great little van and it had sliding doors on both sides, bit slow on the uptake but cruises well, would go for a TDI if i got another one, plenty of room in back and the storage in cab is great

 

[SirKit Breaker]

No-one has mentioned the VW Caddy, i had the 1.9 sdi version of these before going overseas for a while, great little van and it had sliding doors on both sides, bit slow on the uptake but cruises well, would go for a TDI if i got another one, plenty of room in back and the storage in cab is great

Great vans the VW's all models, but they hold their prices well, and cost a fortune even used and fairly old, but i suppose thats for a reason, as they say "you get what you pay for".

 

[c.p.c]

They are, but the new T5 transporters had a lot of problems with their drive shafts. They strip due to the extra hp of the higher engine models.

if you want something that will see your kids out buy a Toyota hi- ace ,completely bullet proof in every way but not the best vans to drive long distances, if you get the nylon seats model your bum crack sweats like a Japanese water feature after about 30 miles.

 

[f1ngerz]

Looking for everyones opinions on buying / hiring a van ?
Buy cheap? Unknown problems
Buy new ? Depreciation , big outlay or finance.
Buy mid range ? Large outlay.
Hire lease? Another overhead.
Or other?
Also what is the best way when it comes to tax? And when all costs are considered (maintenance, road tax , etc) what is truly the most economical way to have one of our most important tools!
Ive got a 54 plate combo at the min it cost me two grand two years ago and is now in the garage because the timing chain broke so mega bill coming my way , I suppose its done me proud up till now but when do you call it quits ? Do not want another rescue from the side of the motorway!

 

[Octopus]

How long do you intend to keep it for? how many miles do you do per year? What is your budget?

 

[jeremy]

Lease hire/ purchase is the safest as it's not your vehicle, the breakdown risk is with the other party. You pay a premium for this, they're a business not a charity and will have covered their risk in your monthly payments, but if you want risk free motoring ( breakdown wise, can't account for the stupidity of other drivers!), Lease hire/purchase is the way to go. Also, though I'm no accountant, a rental payment is a business expense, 100% deductible, I think, so a good way of knowing where you are, how much you need to pay etc

 

[jaysmart]

may be more tac efficient to buy out right and claim the milage, well it will be im sure, if you do enough miles

 

[SirKit Breaker]

An accountant will always say buy outright, if you can afford it. The secret is to buy a van with good service history etc, and one that has been looked after. It is no different to buying a car. Then the next part is making sure it gets the right maintenance it needs for how you use it. I have had my connect just over 2 years, it came with full history and in very good condition, since i have had it, it has had normal service work, a couple of tyres, and an exhaust. I paid a bit less than 3 grand, and also got £1000 for my Focus Estate against it, so it owes me about £1800, which i have had most of back in fuel allowance. Dont buy crap, there are plenty of small vans about. Keep it maintained, drive it properly, and there is no reason it for it to let you down.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[Octopus]

Beware of lease plans because not only do they bind you to a time frame of 2, 3 or 4 years they also are mileage related so if your circumstances change ........

I'd say buy out right, and use a bank loan if necessary.

 

[localtrades]

Having spent some time in the motor trade selling finance on vehicles I would say it depends a lot on how many miles and how well you will look after it. If you are vat reg then to buy is the best option if you wish to keep it long term. If you have bought in the last years and then gone vat registered you can retrospectively claim all the vat back as long as its within a 3 year window ( a liitle known fact). leasing is ok but companies do tend to hit hard on wear and tear and logo removal etc so beware as there may be sting in the tail, also the milage per annum is hard to gauge. Go too highwith your yearly milage and you pay more for no return, go too low and do more, and then they smack you big time at the end.

Best advice I can give is talk to an accountant and they should be able to advise the best route to take.

Not in the motor trade anymore, but hope it helps. Now run www.localtrades4you.co.uk which promotes tradesmen, and yes I was a tradesman until a bad accident stopped me doing the physical stuff. Good luck with your purchase

 

[LukeD]

I honestly think far too much money is spent on nice vans . I use to have a Toyota Hiace. Cost me £4k and was in a nice light grey. I used a good company to make some nice magnetic signs . Stuck a carpet covered Bulk head in it to make it safer and more comfortable. Ran it for 2 years . And sold it for £3600 !! Cost me set of pads and 3 x oil / filter changes (DIY) never skipped a beat and looked very clean. Will not use a van now as they get broken into all the time and i have down graded my job sizes that i can do it all from my car or landcruiser .

I see guys up to their necks in payments on silly Navaras etc !!! I think its a image thing. Costs down, prices down = more work

 

[egginyourface]

what van do you drive and has it been reliable?

thinking about buying vauxhall virano

 

[RWJ]

what van do you drive and has it been reliable?

thinking about buying vauxhall virano

Vivaro?? Same as Renault Trafic and Nissan Primestar.

I used to drive these..... I really like them.... Only occasionally get to drive one now
Now I drive a Gloria (Escort Van) that I keep trying to kill... but passes the MOT

Funny how you get a promotion and a rubbish van! Apparently I no longer need a big van!! (Or CD Player, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors... oh and HEATING!!!)

 

[topquark]

Citroen Relay L3H2. Had it about 9 months, been fine so far. Very versatile. In fact a bit too versatile as people keep wanting to borrow it

 

[One_of_them]

new shape Berlingo and so far it's not let me down. I do a lot of miles to

 

[adslev]

Peugeot partner and there doesn't seem to be a week that goes by that something t break, for example on my way home from work yesterday and the drivers side window decided to fall of the runners and down into the door!

 

[Daveyboy]

Renault Trafic. Great van. Had mine since new but has had quite a few things go wrong on it (including replacing the knackered gear box) but every was done under the 3 year warranty. Its now 4 and a half years old now. & i've seen some for around £10k new.
Great drive!!

 

[telectrix]

never had time to get used to my trafic. it spent more time in the dealers workshop than on the road. i did send it a birthday card though.

 

[davelerave]

i've got the equivalent primastar

these diesel injection vans can be big money if they give trouble out of warranty


i'd enquire about toyota anyhow-dunno if they have anything similar now

 

[telectrix]

anything jap is good as long as it's not made in france

 

[Spudnik]

Had a Vivaro for a few years and never gave me any probs.

Good workhorse

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I cannot believe anyone has not mentioned THE; THE: THE VAN of VANS.

The Van.