Ali C Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 I would really like a van, I travel the country to ride and I am fed up of sleeping uncomfily in my car, camping or paying for a hotel.I would really like a medium sized van that I could put some sort of bunk in the back to sleep a couple of people.does anyone have any ideas on what would suit my needs? I have seen the VW Transporter, I think that would be sweet, but I am worried they are too big for day to day use, also I have no idea what they are like for fuel effinciancy.I recken I could get 3 bikes and maybe 3 (cosey) beds in a transporter, anything smaller would be puching it and would only sleep one person.Anyway, I am open to opinions.Also, insurence, I am 23 and have 2 years no claims and my 306 turbo D is currently just under £500 a year, any ideas on costs of insuring a van?Cheers guysAli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 (edited) a bongo like John Peacocks??theres loads of camper style van around, just got to keep an eye out on autotrader and Ebay. Edited August 7, 2007 by Bucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Token Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 As it goes, I'm looking to buy one aswell. My brother-in-law has always had Transporters, and they've always gone easily over 250,000 miles if it's been looked after. They're definitely worth their weight in gold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaRtZ Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 I reckon ali, you should get a transit, convoy or relay or similar. And put a couple of bunk beds in (that fold to the side) and a couchANNNDDD www.evaninsurance.co.uk they quoted me cheaper on a transit than my skodaSo yeah I vote do it yourself, and do it the way YOU want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broomer Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 One world, Transit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 just get a transit, there dirt cheap, mine will of cost me about £100 with 12 months mot when im done. ill be selling for £500, so if you want one which is good for 12 months, then youll be looking to pay between £400 and £600, or if your willing to work on one to get its through mot, then anything from £20-£200 for a 95's series diesel tranny. and then do what you want, to it, mine for example came fitted with a slide out fibreglass canopy with heavyweight sides and front, to make an extra tenty bit on the rear of it, so in summer, if you where sleeping/just chilling in your van, you could whack the bike in the tent bit on the back, and have the whole of the back of the van to kip in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted August 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 a tranny would be the obvious choice, lots of cheap spairs, cheap to buy, roomy BUT are they too big for everyday use? I wouldnt be able to fit one in my carpark space at home either...what are they like for mpg too? I would like a deisil, but I am also tempted to comvert to lpg if I get somthing roomy like a transit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 Didn't Dave have a similar dilemma 6 months ago with buying a van? In fairness, I can't help you at all, but Transits are pretty bomb proof from what i've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 a tranny would be the obvious choice, lots of cheap spairs, cheap to buy, roomy BUT are they too big for everyday use? I wouldnt be able to fit one in my carpark space at home either...what are they like for mpg too? I would like a deisil, but I am also tempted to comvert to lpg if I get somthing roomy like a transit.depends what you class as too big, a lot depends on drivin abilities etc, i know a girl, who tried stickin my beemer on a mates drive (off a road,turn into a drive, then turn back the other way to fit on the drive, and couldnt, cos it was soo much bigger than her c2, but on the flipside i managed to reverse a jeep cherokee towing a 3 bike trailer on the same drive, without too much hastle) if i gave her a tranny van,itd be a lost cause on anythin other than a motorway, but for me, transits, vivaros, sprinters etc, are all manageable on everyday use. there no longer than a big saloon car really, only a few inches wider, and often have better lock, and the lack of overhang from the wheelbase makes things simpler, as does the high up drivin position, big vertical mirrors etc. wouldnt be bothered gettin an lpg vehicle, get a derv and run it on cookin oil and declare the tax on as much as you see fit on it if you want uber cheapness, unless you plan on doing super miles with a nearly new/new van and keeping it for years, lpg aint a viable option, just gettin it installed will run into the same kind of cost youd have for buyin the van, itd be a good 2/3 years before you recoup the costs at least. my 96 p transit 2.5 diesel panel van, does around 38-40ish to the gallon from the short time i had it on the road with sensible driving. canin it uses more, but thats true with every vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
531joshua Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LDV-PILOT-DIESEL-VAN...1QQcmdZViewItemSeems ok, maybe a little too small for what you need it for?My dad used to have one, we got 2 motor trials bikes in and one person sleeping.Handy to have, cheap to buy, cheap to run, last long.Good little van I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radfax Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 bedford rascal or vauxhall rascle, either way they are the same car. Legendary motors! Didnt you sell one once? and put 101 reasons as to why we should buy it... or was that some one else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LDV-PILOT-DIESEL-VAN...1QQcmdZViewItemSeems ok, maybe a little too small for what you need it for?My dad used to have one, we got 2 motor trials bikes in and one person sleeping.Handy to have, cheap to buy, cheap to run, last long.Good little van I'd say.wouldnt say its that cheap, no mention of mot, 130k on the clock on wat is a small engine for such a big van(i.e will have been ragged constantly to get it up to speed) and at £230 with 16 hours to go. may as well be out of tax by the time u get it back, and a list of faults(wandering steering etc)or for £500(as thats wat the goin rate is) you could buy a van like i will be selling in a month or 2, p reg, 96 plate tranny, 60k ish genuine miles(mots to prove etc) fsh( ex bt vehicle), 12 months mot, and no faults. i know which one id rather buy for the sake of a few quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty boi Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 One world, Transit.One word- Gypsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 One word- Gypsyunless its a chassis cab with pick up back with higher sides installed,or towin a caravan its not pikey at all, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broomer Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 One word- GypsyThree words... Get a shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Has anyone seen my shoe? Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Three words... Get a shirt Stop posting now.Re: Monty Boi not you Broomer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishayton Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 a tranny would be the obvious choice, lots of cheap spairs, cheap to buy, roomy BUT are they too big for everyday use? I wouldnt be able to fit one in my carpark space at home either...what are they like for mpg too? I would like a deisil, but I am also tempted to comvert to lpg if I get somthing roomy like a transit.it would fit at the bottom though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bionic Balls Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 vaguely related- i think andrei has one of (if not the..) COOLEST van i've ever seen. That man has style right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squince Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 (edited) Mates just got that, diesel, powersteering all that lark.Easily sleep two in it, its mega. Edited August 8, 2007 by squince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 nevermind a VAN,u want a FLATfreeeeedom!failing that, a toyota hilux, brap, they're (nearly) indestructible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Mates just got that, diesel, powersteering all that lark.Easily sleep two in it, its mega.mega cost in it too, unless you really need a proper tough 4 x4 that will go anywhere. or you have money to spare and really want a landrover. defenders are pretty expensive, so unless you look at an old series 2a/3 etc, your lookin at least a couple of grand for a ropey one. and if you get a series 2a/3, it will be rotten, it will most likely be a 2.25 petrol(only bonus is 2wd if wanted= better fuel economy), it wont have power steering. but with any land rover, youll get uncomfy seats,boneshaking ride, inability to get above 60 without thrashin it(my van is sooo slow, but itll still cruise at 80 on the motorway), a landrover at 60 tells u its at 60, ur teeth rattle out, the noise tells you you need to upgrade your stereo. and to top it off, expect about 20-25 to the gallon tops. dont get me wrong im a huge land rover fan, i love the things, there brilliant machines, for off roading, towing big stuff, or just gettin where nothing else will go in stupid conditions( pulling a 5.2 tonne iveco panel van out of a gulley in 6 inches of snow, no sweat, moving a broken down 44 tonne curtain sider round the yard wen its broken down, no problem) but as a vehicle to travel round the country, clock up motorway miles etc, no thanks. there overpriced,technologically pre historic vehicles when tryin to use like a normal vehicle. did i mention the awful steering lock, the heavy clutch etc, making any urban driving you do a right mission.discovery is a lot nicer vehicle for semi sensible money(l plate tdi for £1500), but then youd need to find the 3 door van version(rare) or settle for a people carrier like seatings arrangement and a fair bit of work to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squince Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 It has got power steering, the seats are mint i love em, its diesel, and pisses 60 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 It has got power steering, the seats are mint i love em, its diesel, and pisses 60 .yea and its a defender, meaning it costs £££.not denying your mates got a nice vehicle. as i said i do love them. but....an early to mid nineties diesel defender in average condition(especially a hard top as opposed to chassis cab) will fetch £3000-£4500ish with about 80k on the clock, dependant on wheels, spec, mot, service history, etc. with no warranty etc(unless you buy it from a dealer, then its like £4000 - £5500)but for £4000-£5000, you could buy a 51/02 plate tranny off bt fleet, with a full service history, 12 months mot, 12 months warranty, 30k(seen some with as little as 16k go for £4600). see what im gettin at, you put your money elsewhere, and you get a lot more for your money. for the use it would get for ali(unless he suddenly takes up driving up snowden) its a very overpriced van(as 4wd,diff lock,so on and so forth would never be used, but all the cost would still be there). for a farmer/someone who does towing, its a very cheap vehicle for the use theyd get out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
531joshua Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 yea and its a defender, meaning it costs £££.not denying your mates got a nice vehicle. as i said i do love them. but....an early to mid nineties diesel defender in average condition(especially a hard top as opposed to chassis cab) will fetch £3000-£4500ish with about 80k on the clock, dependant on wheels, spec, mot, service history, etc. with no warranty etc(unless you buy it from a dealer, then its like £4000 - £5500)but for £4000-£5000, you could buy a 51/02 plate tranny off bt fleet, with a full service history, 12 months mot, 12 months warranty, 30k(seen some with as little as 16k go for £4600). see what im gettin at, you put your money elsewhere, and you get a lot more for your money. for the use it would get for ali(unless he suddenly takes up driving up snowden) its a very overpriced van(as 4wd,diff lock,so on and so forth would never be used, but all the cost would still be there). for a farmer/someone who does towing, its a very cheap vehicle for the use theyd get out of it.Point made here like. I'd go for the tranny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikenipple Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Mercedes V Class/Vito Diesel, mmmmmmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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