[woodman]

For the first time I have done away with a van and have decided to go for a an estate car time will tell if its the right choice.

The reason for this is I've noticed I am carrying less and less these days especially chemicals .

Iv'e gone for the Citreon C5 which is huge in the back, my CFR and Texatherm will fit in with room to spare (might even be room for a truck mount ) and I get a comfy ride air con CD player and it uses less fuel than my van

It will be sign written (wish I knew how to post pictures on here) and rear windows are blacked out.

What I like about this car is the back lowers down at the push of a button so there is no need for excessive lifting every thing just tilts back in easily.

How many others operate from an estate type vehicle or have done and gone back to a van.

[Ken Wainwright]

All of my working life has been spent carrying goods of some description. I've tried estate cars but primarily used vans. My experiences with all estates is that the interior finish takes a hell of a beating. Scratches to the paintwork, rips and tears to the inside fabrics, fittings  linings, and headlinings.  Depreciation of your asset will be greater than it would be otherwise. Beware of spilt or leaking chemicals.  There is a valid argument about the professional perception from your prospects but, as you have been in business for some considerable time, much of your work will be repeat and referals, so I don't see it affecting your business. I'd have thought that a people carrier such as the C8 would have served your purpose better, although more expensive. If you are self employed, it may be prudent to talk to your accountant to see if it affects your tax liability in any way.

Safe and happy driving:)
Ken

[woodman]

It won't get that much of beating Ken, you must be very sloppy with your van if your spilling stuff and banging the sides around, where as I on the other hand am very careful with my vehicles  

I'll see how it goes, the C8 is far to expensive and I would be paranoid about damaging such a vehicle.

As for depreciation, well citreons are know for this anyway and I've let some else suffer that as the vehicle is 18 months. I am getting a very good deal on it and  the dealer has offered to buy it back, should I not get on with it, at a reasonable price.

When its all liveried up and sparkling it will look very professional I can't agree with you that the use of an estate car can is some way make you look less of a professional,  especially if it and you area presented in the right manner, I know of several franchisees who use estates in the running of their business and have never had a problem in this respect.

Still we shall see

Trevor

[Phil Marlor]

To be honest when I first started out I worked from the back of an estate car and looking back now I am embarressed at the thought of this.

However I think you are making an effort to make your vehicle look professional and good luck to you.

I could never go back to an estate now, far too much equipment, plus where would I sleep if the wife ever kicked me out?  

Phil

[Michel Roberts]

Woodman,

Very interesting post to me as I run a people mover a citroen synergie and have done for the past year. Seven seats when you need them and two seats when you don t. like yourself I brought a citreon because o f the terrible depreciation they suffer from when new, which makes them a great buy secound hand. I paid £7,650 for mine privatly, 3 years old and 17,000 miles. The list price new was £19,500.

I am actually thinking of giving it to the misses and buying a van again. The reason is because of having to constantly load and unload it is getting on my nerves.

I do keep a lot in it however all my carpet fitting and carpet cleaning stuff, which is as follows.

Carpet fitting

1 Roll underlay
2 Power stretchers
2superstretchers
1 Stretchermate
1 Box medium pin carpet gripper
1Box short pin carpet gripper
1Box architecheral carpet gripper
2 boxes hand tools
1 seaming iron
1 Door trimmer
1 Masony drill
Assorted door bars, tapes and adhsives

Carpet cleaning
Prochem steameasy 400(to be upgraded shortly)
1 Cimex Rs 38 slow speed rotary
1 Kirby G4 vacume
Various buckets pile brushs, chems ect.

The reason I brought It and not a van was because I was desperate for a vehical with air con and an auto box for driving around congested london streets, but now I regret it.

I am very interested to see that you run a CFR machine I am giving serious consideration to buying one of these myself in the not too distant future, would you mind if a gave you a ring sometime to get a report from someone who uses it on a regular basis rather than a salesman.

Michel

[woodman]

Hi Guys

Bl**dy 'ell Michel I couldn't be bothered with taking all that gear out every night

This vehicle will be soley for work, my wife wouldn't let me any where near the other car with my gear.

No problem with you contacting me on the CFR several of us on here use them on a regular basis

Have to ask Phil, why are you embarassed at the though that you once worked out of an estate.

Trevor

[Phil Marlor]

Hi Trevor,

I have read my post again, I didnt mean it to sound like you are downgrading (sorry about that)

In answer to your question, I supose when I first started I was very keen to have a nice van and all I could offer was a J reg Escort estate with no sign writing.

My Extracta Exel used to need levering in (it pushed up the headline) and when I got to the customers house I used to feel un-proffessional.

I absolutly adore my van now, when in a large supermarket I park right on the outskirts to avoide idiots who cant open a car door without bashing into the vehicle next ot them (boy dose that get me angry )


Phil