Which Van? Sorry if its been discussed before

[Paul117]

Hi All

I will shortly be taking the plunge into the world of self employment with 10 years experience behind me and now must chose a van.

Requirements are

• up to £5000 inc VAT budget
• side door, ideally two
• Able to fit in multi story car parks so generally less than 2.2m tall
• 3 seats
• at least 40mpg
• ideally 3 seats but not essential
• not worried bout age but would prefer less than 80,000 miles
• reliable (so probably not french, I've heard some shocking stories but some of you guys may have been luckier?)

For now it will be my only vehicle as selling my car to fund it no point in having unnecessary expenses in the early days any way.

A lot of things to consider there I know. Would appreciate your input.

Paul

 

[dan86]

http://www.electriciansforums.net/showthread.php?t=71004

 

[Paul117]

Used van. Wish there was a new one with those specs out there for less than 5K

 

[firespark]

Merc Vito. I love mine and if the height is important for car parks its one of the best.
I can get into car parks with 1.98 headroom with no problems. including car lifts into building basements

Whatever van you go for take security into consideration! deadlocks, grills and a good alarm is essential!

 

[dan86]

a decent transit connect would see you right I'm sure

 

[applemac]

put the 5 grand in a savings account and lease a new van as its replacing a car, works out better with the vat as you pay monthly, good deals on pre registered vans, im looking at a new vauxhall vivaro in black, sportive version for about 200 a month.

 

[dan86]

where abouts are you? prices vary depending on where you live!

 

[shocking_eg]

merc vans rust very quickly.

makes a two year old van look older than a 10 year old transit !

 

[sparkless]

I drive the Connect and cant fault it.

I;m getting around 45mpg from a 1.8TDi

 

[Paul117]

Bristol based

Probably wont go VAT registered until I'm required too. That way I can charge lesser prices to get the work to build my client base before I have to start charging the 20% (this is another thread all together though)

 

[dan86]

merc vans rust very quickly.

makes a two year old van look older than a 10 year old transit !

I'll DEFFO second that

 

[Paul117]

I drive a Vito on my current firm at the moment. I'm not particularly heavy footed and only get around
30mpg out of it.

 

[dan86]

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/mobile...longitude=-2.58333&postcode=BS1&pageNumber=10

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/mobile...longitude=-2.58333&postcode=BS1&pageNumber=11

a couple for you to look at mate. in your area too

 

[Paul117]

Cheers matey.

Been looking at leasing also. Nissan nv200 at £135 s month looks good.

 

[bleach]

Bit dated now but Mitsubishi L300, the best turning circle, 3 seats, 2 side doors, great fuel economy, low height. cheap as chips then sell it when it dies for more than you bought it for to export!