New Van ?

[Pat Tester]

Looking at changing my Merc Vito as it is now 9 years old and has cost me a fortune of late (new prop shaft, starter) Mercs carry a premium
so looking at alternatives. What is consensus on Hyundai Iload , Vauxhal Vivaro and Renault, Citroen and Fiat clones. Short wheel base is fine
I want air-con and best economy yes I know they don't go together. It would be good if it drove in snow without resort to snow chains and a change of underwear. Comments & reviews please

 

[james the spark]

vivaro or primestar id say iv had a citroen relay and was a heap of junk got a transit now great van but crap in the snow

 

[markc123]

Loads of sparkys / gasmen / devils *plumbers i know have Vivaro's, i haven't had one personally - but the general consensus, especially around here is that they're THE van at the moment.

 

[timbobelfast]

What about VW transporter?

I will be shopping for a new van soon also and have been looking at the VW Caddy

I'm not a lover of anything French as the dash on them tend to light up light christmas trees

 

[NDH Electrical]

Vivaro, traffic or primaster. They're all the same really.

 

[sparkless]

I drive the Transit Connect, 1.8 turbo diesel SWB
and although its not as big as others
its great at around 45MPG in the summer, getting around 42MPG at mo

 

[TaffyDuck]

If you are buying new the vivaro ( which is just a re-badged renault Trafic) is fine, Be VERY careful if buying out of warranty though as the injectors weld themselves to the head due to a design fault and that can cost thousands to sort out.

 

[richy3333]

Buy a Transporter, great van

 

[KevinS]

Lots of people are now buying the Nissan NV200
if it's been deemed good enough to be the new taxi of London and New York, I'm pretty certain it must have been put thru its paces.
Nothing to lose looking.

 

[Guest154]

i have had a traffic for years good van till it snows , better stayin in ur bed

 

[Top-Spark]

Transit all the way.... Best van on the market for reliability by a long shot!! And mines brill in the snow... Gets me everywhere!!

 

[Rick b]

I also have a ford transit. I love it to bits. But must agree its like bambi on ice in the snow.
But for comfort and room etc i think it's great.

 

[firespark]

I would have to say look into a new vito!
I purchased a new vito at the start of last year and its honestly the nest thing ive driven after taking all of its competition out for test drives. the Biggest advantage it has is its height.

I do a lot of work in central London where parking is a sod. with the Vito I can get into all NCP underground car parks and every building I've been to so far with a lift into their own underground car park which equates to free parking
If you cant stomach another vito, then it would have to be the transporter then transit!

I would not go for the vivaro/Primestar/traffic as ive lost count of how many times my mates has been to vauxhall in the first 4 years, not to mention the burnt out ones at the side of the road. (2 so far, with very unhappy looking owners on the phone next to it...)

Out of interest have you considered getting your next van on contract hire. claim all the VAT back, claim the van back against your tax. usually all servicing, parts and repair work is covered with free rental van and you get a nice shiny new one every 3-5 years (depending on your contract.
It's worth looking into! :wink5:

 

[Brightspark2]

Stay clear of the hyundai, had one as a hire van, was virtually brand new but very poor. Dont think they would take much stick either, the insides like a car.

 

[infinity]

I have a new trafic sport, it's nice to look at drives lovely, it's quick if you need it, 30+ mpg I have mine racked out by sortimo and wouldn't be without it! Was great in snow too!