Best small van?

[craig180]

Ok, I'll be on the lookout for a small van fairly soon for business work, budget of £3500-£4000 max

What are the options and which tend to be best?

The few I've seen and considered are Transit connect and Citroen Berlingo

[Mieran]

astra mk4

[citroen_saxo_vtr]

Id probs pic the berlingo or partner, we have them at work and i think they are a decent size van and reliable.... also the combos are fairly good. Dont get one then nemos they are gash you sit high in them like a 4x4 and they are bumpy also too small....

[MiniGibbo]

Berlingo's go on forever but when they wrong it's catasrofic.. Horrible place to sit aswell.

The Vauxhall combo is popular and cheap. They've had a few callbacks so make sure they're done and the alternators are mega expensive on those!

The caddy is the don of little vans but they carry a premium over all the other vans in the same way as my transortter but Id happly pay it as I use it every day so want something nice!

[wadoryu]

how do you define a small van. one designed to be a van or those ones that are basically cars that are turned into vans.

[Dom]

Transit connect?

[Matt-T]

Astra Mk.4's are good IMO.

Also drove a 55 Fiesta Zetec TDCi the other day... aint bad for what they are

[nicole_]

bens transit connects pretty reliable. well over 100k and it still makes regular trips to mine every few days. the passenger seats horribley uncomfy but the drivers seat is so stupidly nice to sit in lol
can fit quite a lot in the back too and i find it quite roomy. not particularly fast but then again its only a van lol i dont really like driving it, you have to change up gears really really quick

i prefer the look of the caddy van though, connects are so ugly

[craig180]

astra mk4
Never even thought of that! Can make them look tasty as well!

Berlingo's go on forever but when they wrong it's catasrofic.. Horrible place to sit aswell.

The Vauxhall combo is popular and cheap. They've had a few callbacks so make sure they're done and the alternators are mega expensive on those!

The caddy is the don of little vans but they carry a premium over all the other vans in the same way as my transortter but Id happly pay it as I use it every day so want something nice!
I was originally looking for a T4 transporter but thought to myself, do I really need all the space. The answer was no...

how do you define a small van. one designed to be a van or those ones that are basically cars that are turned into vans.
A van that is small. Not fussed if it's converted or built for purpose as long as it's car like to drive and has space in the back for ladders, buckets, bags of plaster, tools etc

[philliantkr]

Can't beat a caddie

[citroen_saxo_vtr]

Id pick a partner hdi :D fairly quick for a diesel too plus you could stick some vtr alloys on, they look smart.

[Jaytee]

Dude your gonna have more vehicles than a arab prince at this rate lol

[craig180]

Dude your gonna have more vehicles than a arab prince at this rate lol

lol the vRS will be making way for a works van, I'm afraid to say :(

[MiniGibbo]

Connects have a lot of problems are at least all the lads I know who have them do..

The transporter t4 is nothing like a t5 (53 onwards) many people disliked the early vw's so they redone them all.

Quickest van as well or at least was last time I looked!!

Merc vito's are pants, rusty slow uncomfortable and poorly built!

Also on the size thing, I originally wanted a connect/caddy but am actuy glad I've got the transporter now little vans you can't get fuck all in really.

[craig180]

Connects have a lot of problems are at least all the lads I know who have them do..

The transporter t4 is nothing like a t5 (53 onwards) many people disliked the early vw's so they redone them all.

Quickest van as well or at least was last time I looked!!

Merc vito's are pants, rusty slow uncomfortable and poorly built!

Also on the size thing, I originally wanted a connect/caddy but am actuy glad I've got the transporter now little vans you can't get fuck all in really.

Wouldn't be able to afford a T5. If I was going to get a T4 it would have to be a 4 seater anyway with loading at the back

[de51_Hodgey]

ive had a couple vans with my old company and personally the best one i drove was the vauxhall combi 1.3 it was quick, reliable and a decent amount of space in it.

i had a transit connect long wheel base which i absoloutly detested, the turning circle was the same as that of a boeing 747, it was slow, the seat was crap and it was just too bulky to keep driving tbh..ive heard the short wheel base ones are better though

i also had a astra which are pretty much the same as the combi but smaller

[MiniGibbo]

What about the Vauxhall,Nissan,Renault thing the vivaro.

They're not the best van but are still very much liveable with just gotta watch the dodgy Renault thrust bearings..

And bets bit is they're cheap as chips just a little "tinny"

[jonathon5]

My mate runs a fiesta 1.4 tdci , that seems good

He paid £2500

[imDan]

Id probs pic the berlingo or partner, we have them at work and i think they are a decent size van and reliable.... also the combos are fairly good. Dont get one then nemos they are gash you sit high in them like a 4x4 and they are bumpy also too small....

dont get a berlingo they shit we used to have one lol , always something wrong with them

not the new one btw

[blackie_2k5]

if your looking for a small van and you've decided you dont need the extra space, id go with your first choice and get the connect mate, have owned and/or driven just about every van you can think of in every spec as its what i do, the connect is most like a car to drive, theyre also really nippy as a van, have plenty of cubby holes etc, they are VERY econonical, gibbo your mate must rag vans as ive not seen many probs with connects, main issues are side loading door hinges fuck up if you use them alot, easy cheap fix, run forever, as nicole sais you do go through the gears quick..... but you dont realise as theyre not particlularly torque'y you end up going pretty fast pretty quick, the last 09 plate one we had i though was shit till it hit about 10k then it freed up and was a little flyer, really comfy on any drive, but as said the passenger isnt much thought of..... but who cares youll not often be one in your own van!!

if not a connect you want a combo,same as above but not as economical due to weighig alot more, but the seats are typical vauxhall and ache your back after a while

[J222JRA]

Citroen Berlingo really pleased with mine.

[readie]

always heard good things about caddy's

what business? you going out on your own kregg?

a little out of reach but can euro the new caddys well have a friend with a silver one:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2353432.htm

[Barry123]

I was in a berlingo today actually and woweee they're big and look utter shit

[blackie_2k5]

caddy's are good vans but for what they do theres equivilant in size/looks/quality etc for ALOT cheaper, craig with your budget you'll have no bother getting an 06-08/9 plate minter connect if you keep away from dealers and look for the right private sale

[MiniGibbo]

caddy's are good vans but for what they do theres equivilant in size/looks/quality etc for ALOT cheaper, craig with your budget you'll have no bother getting an 06-08/9 plate minter connect if you keep away from dealers and look for the right private sale

The VW's are a lot more money but are easily worth it in my opinion, driving one easily shows this but I surpose if your on a budget you can't be to choosy..

[bullit]

i have a partner ;)

[blackie_2k5]

The VW's are a lot more money but are easily worth it in my opinion, driving one easily shows this but I surpose if your on a budget you can't be to choosy..

i like the vw's tbh, but in all fairness unless youve got alot of money theres better vans for the purpose, if i were to buy a van as my every day and do away with a car id probs go for a transporter, but as a workhouse i think theyre dead money, had a 59 plate transporter end of last year with 300 miles on it for a week or two, was a hire van and went back on near 3k :oops: was the fastest van ive ever been in, did 120mph on my private road faster then most cars would lol, but the seats are horrible and proper fucked my back

i have a partner ;)

not seen you on here in a while, less ive just missed you when youve been on!

[Aly]

Craig ask Hannah she has a Citroen Berlingo or something similar iirc, think she only paid £500 for it. god knows why but shes funny like that ;)

[craig180]

Citroen Berlingo/Pug Partner are looking like the best bet in terms of cost to buy, but now it's been mentioned I'm swinging more towards an Astrvan!

Originally had a budget of 4k but that was on the basis of me buying a cheap car with 4 seats to replace the vRS, however I figure I could spend up to 6k at a push

[benkelsall]

Transit Connet are okay had mine for few years now and never broke, just the odd little thing. Just its crap on fuel, not sure if because the mileage is 155k or how I drive it lol. Guess it does around 35mpg is a 1.8 TD

[blackie_2k5]

Transit Connet are okay had mine for few years now and never broke, just the odd little thing. Just its crap on fuel, not sure if because the mileage is 155k or how I drive it lol. Guess it does around 35mpg is a 1.8 TD

what year is it? had 08 and 09's and they were good, but i know before them they had a few diff engines,

[benkelsall]

what year is it? had 08 and 09's and they were good, but i know before them they had a few diff engines,

03 plate. When we first got the van probs 3 years ago now, was good on fuel but just been getting worse as it goes on.

[J222JRA]

03 plate. When we first got the van probs 3 years ago now, was good on fuel but just been getting worse as it goes on.

Nicole is pregnant....she weighs more therefore effecting MPG ;)

[blackie_2k5]

ahh the older ones are alot diff, we had an older one, felt like driving an old astra lol, thats good mileage for an 03 plate! we put 200k on them in 2 year lol, then new ones are awesome! it really is like driving a car, brakes are mint also

[Cupra-Craig]

Whats the reason for the van craig starting out on your own.
When you say ladders are size are you taking about.
We only use big van an my 10plate sprinter is really nice, but also like the new transits.
Used to have a vauxhall movano was really bad, turning on that was crap an was no good towing the digger

[craig180]

Whats the reason for the van craig starting out on your own.
When you say ladders are size are you taking about.
We only use big van an my 10plate sprinter is really nice, but also like the new transits.
Used to have a vauxhall movano was really bad, turning on that was crap an was no good towing the digger

Step ladders mate. Going to be setting up plastering and tiling to start with then some joinery work a bit further down the line.

Didn't want anything too big for now as I don't mind investing a bit more in a few years (when the books start to balance ;)) on a bigger van

[saxo-parts]

i'm sad, i like berlingo's lol. if you get the one with the lifting hatch at the back you can get some fairly long things like ladders,lengths of pipe etc in the back with excess sticking out of the roof

[Cupra-Craig]

Step ladders mate. Going to be setting up plastering and tiling to start with then some joinery work a bit further down the line.

Didn't want anything too big for now as I don't mind investing a bit more in a few years (when the books start to balance ;)) on a bigger van

Right then mate i'd get the astra mate as they are really nice small van.

Didnt know you was a plaster/tiler mate? Might have some work for you if its saxp discount

[craig180]

Right then mate i'd get the astra mate as they are really nice small van.

Didnt know you was a plaster/tiler mate? Might have some work for you if its saxp discount

Not qualified (yet) and still in a full time job but hoping to go solo later this year

[Cupra-Craig]

Not qualified (yet) and still in a full time job but hoping to go solo later this year

How goods ya plastering tho as need some doing plus gain some experince for ya an can show people ya work?

[L16_vts]

saxo 180 any plastering jobs you need a hand gimmie a shout,

been doin it 6 years nearly,

as for van size, would you do ceilings off stilts or 8ftbatons?

[MiniGibbo]

A lot of bloeks dont get on with stilts i personally find it funny if they drop there trowel or fag :A:

[L16_vts]

lol, there good like. dnt take up much room in the van. and save a whole load time settind up scaffold batons etc.