Review your van! (and help me choose!)

[DNS1]

As above really! I'm in the market for my own van and need help deciding what to go with.

I currently drive Transits and Sprinters quite often for another job, but I think the fuel burn would be unreasonably high for me to have something that large myself.

Bit of a ---- up between the smaller ones, either something purpose deigned as a van like the Transit Connect of Vauxhall Combo, or a car derived model like an Astravan...

What does everyone on here drive? Can anyone give me an indication of the sort of fuel consumption I'm likely to get from common models, can't seem to find many places online with reliable statistics for economy.

 

[growler]

transit tipper for me mush !

 

[Guitarist]

If I could choose a van, and I had a bit of cash to spend, it would be a Transporter Kombi without any hesitation. 6 seats when you need them, great visibilty, all the space you could want, plus VW reliability.

 

[High Tower]

I have a vivaro, good as gold!

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I currently drive a transporter. Nice to drive, crap in general though. 70k miles. 3 alternators, 2 cam belts and a shed load other problems. Fuel wword out about 20p a mile. Can't wait for my vivaro to come in a couple of weeks. We have a couple of Peugeot vans which are ok on maintenance and fuel but won't cope at over 70mph fully loaded.

 

[Guitarist]

I suppose it's a bit like any vehicle...some are as good as gold, and others a heap of trouble (or as they used to be called, "friday afternoon cars").

 

[sima24]

Transporters are sooooo expenskve, apparently reliable though. I got a 2008 transit with all the toys on, for the same money i couldnt even get electric windows in a transporter.
Rhink the last post is about right, pot luck if your not buying brand new

 

[Victor]

Toyota Hiace any day of the week, mine has 262,000 on the clock and is still going strong.

 

[keithset]

fiat fiorino if you only need small same as bipper60 plos mpg will carry all you need if domestic rides well on open road as well as easy to park in town roof rack for long loads

 

[HandySparks]

2004 SWB low roof Transit, 85hp diesel. Does 32mpg average, mostly short journeys. A bit noisy. Good amount of space in the back. Only once had a problem that wasn't just a regular service item.

Currently fancy a Transit Custom. I had a drive recently and they've certainly come on in the last few years. Anyone drive one regularly? Hard to justify changing as my present one is still adequate, although I understand that the latest ones are more economical on fuel.

 

[Grantb]

I'm in a fiat fiorino perks... great mpg, fine on little runs around town, parking is never an issue and you'd be surprised what you can squeeze in. Down sides... You'll have to be ridiculously organized to get everything in the back at times and it can be bit noisy when on motorway runs.

 

[Guitarist]

I'm in a fiat fiorino perks... great mpg, fine on little runs around town, parking is never an issue and you'd be surprised what you can squeeze in. Down sides... You'll have to be ridiculously organized to get everything in the back at times and it can be bit noisy when on motorway runs.

Try an estate car

 

[Sharpend]

Vw caddy 104bhp, drives like a car, comfortable, reliable, very good on fuel 540 miles to a tank. Enough room for all that I need, bars for longer items if required.
Also holds its price for resale!
Mines got 124k on clock and its like its only just been run in. No large expense on it other than usual serviceable parts. Would have another tomorrow, although have heard that the new facelift versions are not as economical as they are 1.6 engines unless you pay top end.
Had a traffic from new, had to replace all discs and pads within 18months. Very good driving position, but only ran it for four years as heard many other owners complaining about gearbox trouble after five years! That was on a 54.

 

[Guitarist]

Don't BG run caddies? If so, they must be good

 

[andys25]

I'm looking to lease ASAP. It will be the new transit custom 125 swb! For less than 200 a month! As soon as we move I'm likely to take the plunge!

 

[Aindowsimon]

Transporter ! Go for it , I've had mine 3yr had mild issues but at times I do 150m a day for months at a time never broke down and packed to rafters of bits and fuel is great !! Really good on fuel . I'm thinking of getting a vw crew van for home as my car ! Is dearer to run on fuel ( golf gti ) or as I cal it the " git " so f 'in dear to run , transits are really good vans also but fuel consumption is the problem there with rusting another! So go vw