Caddy Maxi v Transit Connect L2

[TaffyDuck]

Hi guys.
Its been a while since I posted.
I`m in the market for a new van and would welcome your thoughts.
I work in an area with lots of narrow alleys and archways to drive through so a small van ( with well thought out racking) is needed. I gave up on Vivaro sized vans when I found myself parking hundreds of yards away from jobs.
So the plan is either a high spec 1.6 Transit Connect LWB 2016 with the 1.6 115hp engine or a lower spec Caddy Maxi as my budget wont stretch to a highline.
I know the Caddy is a great van ( I have a SWB startline now) but I`m torn as I need to occasionally pick both kids up and having that extra little seat would be helpfull. Also I need to do some serious miles sometimes and aircon/Dab/bluetooth etc . would be great to have.
The Caddy I have a handle on but does anyone drive the 1.6 connect 115hp? If so how do you find it?

 

[TaffyDuck]

Thanks for your replies. Firstly residual values are not a big deal for me as I keep my vans for 5 years anyway.

As far as Citroen/Peugeot and all their offspring I`m afraid I`ve had nothing but trouble from them when I`ve owned them in the past. I wont buy any French van.

My last French based van was the Renault engined Vivaro. A complete nightmare. Injectors kept going but only after they had chemically welded themselves to the head. A grand every time. Never again. Before that a berlingo which blew a turbo and had collapsible suspension. Not to mention the internal trim that kept falling off.

I`ve decided to give the Transit connect L2 Limited a go. Always a gamble but I appreciate all your advice. Thanks

 

[TaffyDuck]

Thanks for your replies. Firstly residual values are not a big deal for me as I keep my vans for 5 years anyway.

As far as Citroen/Peugeot and all their offspring I`m afraid I`ve had nothing but trouble from them when I`ve owned them in the past. I wont buy any French van.

My last French based van was the Renault engined Vivaro. A complete nightmare. Injectors kept going but only after they had chemically welded themselves to the head. A grand every time. Never again. Before that a berlingo which blew a turbo and had collapsible suspension. Not to mention the internal trim that kept falling off.

I`ve decided to give the Transit connect L2 Limited a go. Always a gamble but I appreciate all your advice. Thanks

 

[Marti]

My last French based van was the Renault engined Vivaro. A complete nightmare.

Appreciate your input. It does appear that the Traffic / Vivaro engine and gearbox issues are to be avoided.
Looks like I'm back on the bicycle.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Appreciate your input. It does appear that the Traffic / Vivaro engine and gearbox issues are to be avoided.
Looks like I'm back on the bicycle

and don't buy a merc van .that's a small one .you will get confuse by the indicator .and speed lim .crap.

 

[Marti]

Oh but three pointed stars have "special brakes" for "special people. You know, the ones who can stop from 70 mile per hour in about six feet from your back lights!

 

[MJPD29]

Connect every day of the week, oh get far more for your money and mine hasn't missed a beat, although its only 3 and a half

 

[Marti]

A late and left-field update. Bought myself a used Nissan NV200. Used 'em years ago for a company I work for found a FSH, air-con and reversing camera model for peanuts.

Little wheels and little 1.5 turbo diesel make them a bit frantic on the motorway but otherwise pretty good and fitting bigger wheels solves that one. Takes a six step Youngman ladder inside. Twin SLD's mean more deadlocks or better access depending on how you feel. Loads of tie-downs (ooh err). OK so it's not the much rated Caddy but what I paid would have got me a Caddy....badge. I'll let you know if it works.

 

[pirate]

The roof rails make adding a ladder-rack easy too...
a bit pricey, to be fair...

 

[Marti]

Nah, I like the "body odour and kebab"smell in my lil' Nissan. All the Bentley leather would make me feel like a burglar in a stately home

 

[telectrix]

The roof rails make adding a ladder-rack easy too...
a bit pricey, to be fair...

that's a bloody boat FFS. should make a pirate happy though.

 

[pirate]

Happy Pirate here!
never robbed a stately home yet, but I see it as the way forward...

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Yes. I always buy vans a couple of years old outright. I hate having to pay out every month. My accountant hates it though.

Good call. Let the original owner take the hefty first couple of years' depreciation charge.

 

[telectrix]

i let previous owner/s take the first 11 years depreciation. i've had it 3 years now. spent nowt apart from oil changes. 2 tyres, and MOTs' . then again, it's a toyota.

 

[pirate]

With you there Tel! I have always owned the oldest car on our street, and I don't care...my current car is 13 years old, cost me £8k 7 years ago...ok, Ive spent £10k in repairs, MOTs etc and it's good as new , so cheap motoring!
My last one I bought at 11 months old, for £11k, the previous owner having paid £23k for it. I ran it for years, only put fuel and oil in it, traded it in after 5 years for £3200...the garage I bought it from called it in as the 5 year warranty was due to expire and replaced a back spring and a gear lever indent switch, free of charge.
Of course, it would be nice always to drive the latest models, but that's for the young ones with their lease agreements. As I have no job, I don't qualify! Lol!