First van

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imago said:
My first van was a Bedford CF with a three speed gearbox.

Anyway, there are three approaches to running a van.

1) Bangernomics. Buy something very cheap, and only fix it as and when. I bought a SWB low roof Iveco for £1,500, ran it for two years and spent about £1,500 on repairs, MOTs etc.
2) Spend a lot and hope for the best.
3) Lease or buy new and spend nothing beyond the monthly payments.

I always went with 1) doing the repairs myself to keep the costs down and it worked OK until you factor in time spent grovelling about under a van that could have been spent either earning or resting.

Tomorrow I pick up my first foray into 3). Having looked at the figures it's going to cost me about the same per year to buy a new Vivaro as it would to run an old van. Plus it'll be a lot nicer to run round in a van with air con and blue tooth. It does give me one problem though, what am I going to do with the cassettes out of the Transit?
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Am I allowed to sit in it tomorrow with my dusty work clothes? :rolleyes)
 
Marshy said:
I've got a 110 300tdi hardtop put lots of pics of it on here. I love it but my work taking me further afield so don't want to pile the miles on it so gonna keep it but lease a van for work!? The new ranger looks good and ford are reliable so should be OK? I've not heard any bad reports but plenty about navaras and mitsubishi pick ups being a costly problem. I love my landy and may put a canvas back on it? Brill in summer lol??
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Your landy cant hold much gear @Marshy
 
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I don't think you can go wrong with the mercs marshy, just took delivery of a new sprinter last week in fact, shes a beauty. I stepped up to the 3L V6 with the 7G Tronic gearbox this time it's a seriously quick van! If your budget can stretch, you want that configuration!

In the past there have been issues with rust etc, but this has been addressed and the vans now come with a 12 year corrosion warranty. They also come with a 5 year service pack and mercs service 24 breakdown cover as standard.
 
Wezly said:
I don't think you can go wrong with the mercs marshy, just took delivery of a new sprinter last week in fact, shes a beauty. I stepped up to the 3L V6 with the 7G Tronic gearbox this time it's a seriously quick van! If your budget can stretch, you want that configuration!

In the past there have been issues with rust etc, but this has been addressed and the vans now come with a 12 year corrosion warranty. They also come with a 5 year service pack and mercs service 24 breakdown cover as standard.
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That must have set you back a few quid................is it on lease hire??
 
I looked at buying the toyota Granvia, they are a people carrier imported in mint condition as the Japs only do 3 years and get rid. They have all the mod cons, leather, air con,automatic,arm rest electric everything. Just remove the seats in the back but only short wheel base. I wasn't brave enough though.
 
Nisus said:
Am I allowed to sit in it tomorrow with my dusty work clothes? :rolleyes)
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You'll have to drive up to the dealership if you want to. Unsurprisingly it's slightly delayed, I can't collect it until tomorrow night. :RpS_unsure:
 
imago said:
You'll have to drive up to the dealership if you want to. Unsurprisingly it's slightly delayed, I can't collect it until tomorrow night. :RpS_unsure:
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More delays ffs.
At least they found it now lol :RpS_biggrin:
 
Marshy said:
@Wezly trying to decide between a merc Vito and new transit?? Your a merc man what's your take on the Vito?? They seem to rot pretty quick the mercs?? And electrics seem to be an issue?? :RpS_unsure:
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I've got the Vito marshy , the rust problem was pre 2003,I luv mine
 
superspread said:
I've got the Vito marshy , the rust problem was pre 2003,I luv mine
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I'm thinking of leasing as keeping my landy just a nightmare going further afield in it want to not put the miles on it so gonna beef it up more for weekends etc :RpS_thumbup:
 
Marshy said:
I'm thinking of leasing as keeping my landy just a nightmare going further afield in it want to not put the miles on it so gonna beef it up more for weekends etc :RpS_thumbup:
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Sod doing that ,monthly outgoing forever ,even through the slow times :RpS_scared: rather get the bus:RpS_unsure:
 
Marshy said:
I'm thinking of leasing as keeping my landy just a nightmare going further afield in it want to not put the miles on it so gonna beef it up more for weekends etc :RpS_thumbup:
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I bought mine , don't like leasing , u get 5 years free servicing , 3 yr warranty , and they thru a few good xtras in,
 
I bought my vivaro as leasing - lease hire or whatever it is seems like a complete pain in the arse. Throw a few notes in the dealers face and its amazing what they are prepared to give you. End of the month if their sales aint been good is the best time
 
Marshy said:
Isuzu better than navara (lots of problems with those ask @cassie!!) Toyota hilux the best of them but more expensive!! Seen some too lease deals on the Isuzu tho and look good aswell :RpS_thumbup:
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Engine blows up on the navara at 60k ish.. just spent 4 k on mine, its good now tho.. pretty good on diesel aswell, but I dont worry or buy anything on the MPG... I get all I need in mine, doubles as a car aswell, and obviously mint in snow.. if you go for the navara, make sure its had the engine rebuild.. as it will cost around 3k to get fixed, thats if your lucky and the fukin lot doesnt blow up..lol
 
cassie said:
Engine blows up on the navara at 60k ish.. just spent 4 k on mine, its good now tho.. pretty good on diesel aswell, but I dont worry or buy anything on the MPG... I get all I need in mine, doubles as a car aswell, and obviously mint in snow.. if you go for the navara, make sure its had the engine rebuild.. as it will cost around 3k to get fixed, thats if your lucky and the fukin lot doesnt blow up..lol
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I used to love my navara, sold it to a chap earlier this year. A week later the guy phones me up :RpS_cursing: the engine blew up on him. 3k repair job :RpS_scared:
 
keithuk said:
Sod doing that ,monthly outgoing forever ,even through the slow times :RpS_scared: rather get the bus:RpS_unsure:
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My plan was lease for 2 or 3 year as tax insurance maintenance etc all thrown in!! Then give it back and get another, no probs to getting rid of it etc depreciation etc. Just give it back and get another! Run it all through the books and jobs a goodun :RpS_thumbup:
 
Olican said:
I used to love my navara, sold it to a chap earlier this year. A week later the guy phones me up :RpS_cursing: the engine blew up on him. 3k repair job :RpS_scared:
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Did you sell it to @cassie :RpS_sneaky:


:RpS_lol:
 
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cassie said:
Engine blows up on the navara at 60k ish.. just spent 4 k on mine, its good now tho.. pretty good on diesel aswell, but I dont worry or buy anything on the MPG... I get all I need in mine, doubles as a car aswell, and obviously mint in snow.. if you go for the navara, make sure its had the engine rebuild.. as it will cost around 3k to get fixed, thats if your lucky and the fukin lot doesnt blow up..lol
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Which shape is yours cassie ? Or are the engines dodgy in both new and old? Trying to find out as much as I can before parting with any doe on one
 
Marshy said:
My plan was lease for 2 or 3 year as tax insurance maintenance etc all thrown in!! Then give it back and get another, no probs to getting rid of it etc depreciation etc. Just give it back and get another! Run it all through the books and jobs a goodun :RpS_thumbup:
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How much a month is all that mate ?and are you vat
 
Marshy said:
Around £250 inc vat Keith
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£9000 about ,over 3 years ,then give it back :RpS_confused: and start again :RpS_confused: £18000 ,then again .... ,you know what is right for you mate ,and i respect that ,just not for me
 
keithuk said:
£9000 about ,over 3 years ,then give it back :RpS_confused: and start again :RpS_confused: £18000 ,then again .... ,you know what is right for you mate ,and i respect that ,just not for me
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I know what your saying Keith but insurance tax servicing etc all in aswell all I'd have to do is put fuel in? I bought my first transit brand new in 2003 but that was different as I had no other vehicle at the time. I don't want to be lumbered running two vehicles. Am keeping my landy and using it at weekends.
 
Marshy said:
I know what your saying Keith but insurance tax servicing etc all in aswell all I'd have to do is put fuel in? I bought my first transit brand new in 2003 but that was different as I had no other vehicle at the time. I don't want to be lumbered running two vehicles. Am keeping my landy and using it at weekends.
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Like i say mate ,if it right for you ,then it,s right :RpS_thumbup:
 
Seems like the best option for you @Marshy because of your reason of keeping the land rover. :RpS_thumbup:
What is it with older 4x4s and some of us. I still have my dads p reg Toyota hilux. I used it for work for a bit but agree that it costs a fortune to run in fuel and didn't want to keep adding mileage to it.I still tax and insure it and take it for a run out as i cant bare part with it.:-)
 
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I went for the buying option for a few reasons. That leasing business seems OK until you have to give the vehicle back and they hand you a bill for all the stuff to be repaired. :RpS_unsure:

Buying it means that it'll be mine to do with as I want with no penalty clauses. Used values on clean vans are always decent so depreciation isn't an issue. Especially not as @Crisjack231 points out you can get some good deals if you time it right. I got a £7k discount from retail, free air-con, Blue Tooth electric this that and the other. Three years or 100,000 mile warranty, 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. The deposit (£2.5k) is the full VAT amount on the van, and because I'm VAT registered I claim the lot back at the end of this VAT quarter.

Add to that the price for the Vivaro new is what you see low mileage one year old vans selling for on eBay and forecourts and it's a bit of a bargain.

Just as well really, the prices @Nisus charges mean I have to be careful what I spend on other stuff. It's going to be a lean Christmas for the lad and my Missus. Still, he says it's going to be a good job so I don't mind that he wanted paying up front. He's got quite a lot done so far considering he's only there for three hours a day. I didn't realise that the plasterer's union insist on a one hour break every hour though. :RpS_crying:
 
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jeanclaudevangyproc said:
Which shape is yours cassie ? Or are the engines dodgy in both new and old? Trying to find out as much as I can before parting with any doe on one
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mines 05 mate, not sure if new ones have a problem, its mint condition, and new engine now, so Im keeping it as i prefer that shape, had a brand new Hi Lux and a new nissan before ( in the pick up range 4x4 ) and they were great.. the old shape navara is great, just make sure its had the rebuild, once thats done their bullet proof apparently. considered getting a new VW pick up, but cant justify spending 32k yet, might get one next year, spent a fair bit on nav, and i do like it, so will keep it a year.. be a good buy for someone when I do sell it tho...
 
Got a Renault master at man. Been great for getting gear in the back. Doubled up as a bedroom when stopping at santa pod etc. Looking at a change now. Going viewing an l200 raging bull tonight. After something nice. Always liked them and looks a little better turning up at a clients in a decent looking vehicle.
 
Marshy said:
I know what your saying Keith but insurance tax servicing etc all in aswell all I'd have to do is put fuel in? I bought my first transit brand new in 2003 but that was different as I had no other vehicle at the time. I don't want to be lumbered running two vehicles. Am keeping my landy and using it at weekends.
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using it at weekends.... is that code for.. using it to dry bum at dogging sites ??..lol..x
 
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