Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: rosskesava on January 01, 2007, 08:50:37 pm
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I want to buy a van for work and this sounds stupid but altough I've bought cars in the past, I've never bought a van.
Is it best to buy privately or from a dealer?
Cheers and thanks.
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with so many good offers on vans you'd be better buying new, although there are some good bargains second-hand. Just be careful with the second hand stuff as a lot of it has been abused
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Just a thought if youre not vat registered - look for a private seller who isnt either and save yourself 17.5%
Dave
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Buy new off the internet, the price includes delivery.
Thttp://www.thevanwebsite.co.uk/
Or vansdirect.co.uk
The Vanwebsite lets you choose the van make and model then it will show you all the best deals on the web.
When you have got the best price for your van, check your local dealers in the area to see if they can beat that price,Its highly unlikely.
Buy new,Warranty and peace of mind plus you offset against Tax.A new van should give 5 years service with no trouble,Whats that worth?
Nel.
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www.complete-commercials.co.uk
Speak to Fred, mention Trevor at First Clean Services and he will look after you!!
The money you would save is worth a train ticket down to collect your vehicle.
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Thanks for the info and links.
After a day of going through www.thevanwebsite.co.uk (v good website that) and making a large number of phone calls I've decided to buy second hand although I'm still in a mind to buy a new van except for the depriciation is so rapid in the first year.
Anyway, I've seen one I like at www.complete-commercials.co.uk and they're less than an hours drive along the coast from me.
Cheers
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hi mate
i am in the same boat as you the van is giving up on me too much to keep repairing so decided either new or nearly new van same again there is so much you lose in the first year tahts what puts me off buying new. will more than likely get a loan and go 2nd hand again but a year or so old with no more than 50k on the clock full s/h
what van are you buying ?
shawn
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Hi Shawn
I'm going for a 3 year old Ford Connect. 53k on the clock.
One owner and no scratches to the interior or bodywork at the back which means it was not owned by a builder or similar.
I think the extra cost of buying new, around £11 000 for the same is just too high.
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be better with a brand new fiat doblo 6k ;D
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It's a difficult decision.
I did look at some write ups about that van and they were good. I just don't some how feel it's what I want. I had a drive around and had a stop and look at that van and others. I hate to say it, but logic doesn't seem to apply to buying a commercial vehicle especially as I've never bought one before. I bought a hearse for work as a window cleaner but not a commercial vehicle as such.
I just like the look of the Ford Connect and the fact that it has won so many awards by various magazines and also that BT and NTL use them.
I didn't realise untill I had to choose for myself 'what van' just how difficult the choice is.
It's hard to decide with a view to the future when you don't know what that future will be.
I'm still not 100% sure about my choice.
The one I've got my eye on is £5 000 plus VAT. I'm paying cash so maybe I can knock them down.
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It's a difficult decision.
I did look at some write ups about that van and they were good. I just don't some how feel it's what I want. I had a drive around and had a stop and look at that van and others. I hate to say it, but logic doesn't seem to apply to buying a commercial vehicle especially as I've never bought one before. I bought a hearse for work as a window cleaner but not a commercial vehicle as such.
I just like the look of the Ford Connect and the fact that it has won so many awards by various magazines and also that BT and NTL use them.
I didn't realise untill I had to choose for myself 'what van' just how difficult the choice is.
It's hard to decide with a view to the future when you don't know what that future will be.
I'm still not 100% sure about my choice.
The one I've got my eye on is £5 000 plus VAT. I'm paying cash so maybe I can knock them down.
I know what you mean about such a decision being difficult Ross. I was faced with it too in Autumn '05. I ended up buying something larger than I needed at the time so that I could grow into it. In fact, mainly because I work alone, I still have spare capacity. It will probably be a few more months before I am utilising my van fully.
However, a word on second hand vans. I ended up buying a Renault Trafic (the 2.9 tonne version) that was about 2 yrs and 8 months old with 37,000 miles on the clock. By the December/January (39,000 miles), there were noticeable problems with the gearbox. I had to get the gearbox changed at 39,000 miles. Luckily, there were still a few weeks of Renault's 3 year warranty to run so it only cost me inconvenience plus hiring a van for several days (I worked from trolley and containers in this period).
This is the main reason that I would like to buy brand new at the next vehicle change. Even if a vehicle is lowish mileage and not too old, you can still end up with problems. The loan on this vehicle won't be paid up until October 2010 (I took it over 5 years) by which time it will be nearly 8 years old with an estimated 95,000 on the clock. Hopefully there will still be some half reasonable resale value on it. I have heard stories about the gearboxes in some types of these vehicles (after the event as always) so I'm just hoping that the van will keep trundling away for the next 3 years and 9 months without major issues.
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I see the choice is difficult for you but just think, for an extra grand if you got the doblo, its brand new, no miles, 3 years with no worries (warranty) etc.
in my view its a no brainer :P
i personaly think the connect is too dear, in 3 years it will have 100k on the clock and be worth virtualy nowt when the doblo will be just ending its warranty period and only just needing an MOT. ;)
regards
tony
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HI THIS GUY IS GREAT , WILL REALLY LOOK AFTER YOU.
www.banwygarage.co.uk
Cheers Darren
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Ross it may be worth you checking theses guys out. www.brightonvansales.co.uk they looked nice and tidy when I was last down there and most are ex BT I think
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A friend works for BT and his advice to me was "leave the transits alone, theyre rubbish"
Still, he could fill in for Victor Meldrew so he probably dislikes everything.
There was a discussion a few months back about Vans.
Heres the link too it.
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=28794.20#msg221836
Fiat Scudo - everytime!
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I just like the look of the Ford Connect and the fact that it has won so many awards by various magazines and also that BT and NTL use them.
The reason why the bigger companies run around in them is because they get a mega deal straight from Ford.
Friend of mine has had 3 Scudo's and is now on his second Doblo, swears by it, prefers it to the Scudo!
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Blimey.
I am in such quandry. I like the look and load capacity of the Ford Connect but so many people in the last few days have said not to buy second hand, plus the above postings, and to go for either a Scudo or a Dolbo both of which I think look ugly.
Thanks for all the replies though. I never normally suffer from 'what to do' syndrome.
Now I'm thinking again and from what has been posted and what people have said to me, despite my earlier dislikes, of buying new and either a Scudo or a Dolbo......
This is so difficult and made worse by the link posted by Lizzy which is really helpfull and informative which sounds odd I know, but it has led me to need to think some more and not just jump in feet first which is what I tend to do and what is my nature.
Difficult. I'm starting to think of a new Scudo or Dolbo and of the two, the Dolbo but there again............. but a 3 year warranty is worth thinking about...
Cheers
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Hi Macmac
be better with a brand new fiat doblo 6k
After surfing the net a bit more, I think you may be right.
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Hi Ross
I bought a Fiat Scudo about 15 months ago. I wish I had bought bigger! If you are a bit untidy like me, then you will need more space.
Buy the biggest you can afford, go for space. That is my advice.
ps. No such thing as a Fiat Dolbo ;) but know what you mean.
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ps. No such thing as a Fiat Dolbo but know what you mean.
;D
Who thinks up these names? Doblo sounds like a dog tu*d pushed out with a f*rt.
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Ross I need van as well so I'm watching to see what you choose ;D Actually no I think I'm made up on a VW ;)
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no disrespect to pj but be wise in choosing the size of your van, i have a kangoo at the moment (will be buying new doblo next though) & it's the perfect size for me.400ltr tank + all the gear + my trad stuff & ladders on roof. the bigger the van the bigger the running costs. not knowing what your work is like or what your future plans are (i.e. expanding your business etc.) it's hard to call. what i suppose i'm trying to say is don't get caught in all the hype, don't buy a large van just for the sake of it, pj might earn 50k per year and use 800ltr a day- for example, where as you might earn 20k & only use 300ltr a day ( you know what i mean). if you think only of your own circumstances and be realistic you will make the right choice.
hey i'm certainley no expert on vans but IMO & with the research i have done the doblo looks pretty much hard to beat!! :)
good luck & keep us posted ;)
tony
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You have to chose the van thats right for you.
For wfp the question is how big a tank do you want to put in? Work the weights out and if the van can handle that payload thats fine.
Ross dont worry about depreceation. I bought a brand new van in October 2005 for wfp. The reason I bought new was simple, Brand new engine, 3 year warranty and if I look after it a long life from my van.
I bought a Fiat Ducato, Dynamic version, I have ABS brakes, elec windows, Elec mirrors. Remote central locking, Fully lined bulkhead with window in. I paid about £8,200 +VAT. Fantatic van and their was no other van in the country that gave you as much value for your money.
I look at this way, My van should last me 10 yrs Max before I change. It will do 50K in that time. That means it will cost me £970 a year for ten years if its worth scrap value at the end of that time period. For the money I earn thats PEANUTS.
I dont worry about haveing to change my vehicle, Its not like changeing a car, With the van I have to plyline, Paint floor and plywood. Get someone to fix tank in. Fill the holes in the old van etc etc.
Think of image for your buisness with a new van, Reliability. I do not expect to lose a working day in three years because of the van breaking down or not starting. I have had it for 15 months and its been 100% reliable so far.
I have spent lots of money on cars before and I hardly sit in them. The van on the other hand is your vehicle to make money. Your going to spend a lot of time with it day in day out so treat yourself. Just make sure you get the right size van that suits you for work.
If you are thinking of the scudo partner size van then hang fire for a few weeks cos a brand new model is comeing out which will be better to drive and it as a better carrying load weight. On the other hand you might be able to pick up a bargin on the old model.
Nel.
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Ross - me here. I just got my van in November from www.vansdirect.co.uk and spoke to Paul Batterby - he's very good about explaining whether you are vat registered and if so or if not, which package to go for.
I had an old estate car until two months ago and have bought a new Fiat Doblo 1.3SX with a 730kg payload and a mvw of 2000kg - this might be important. ((Because if the mvw is over 2000kg (like the Transit connect/scudo and the Doblo 1.9)) you have certain speed restrictions on dual carriageways and national speed limit roads)
I've had the vehicle two months - it's the SX model with side doors (very important to me) and metal bulkhead as standard and it cost just under £600 down and 4 years monthly rentals of £179 (all inc vat) - at the end of four years I have to dispose of the vehicle for at least 2K to break even. As my mileage is low I should have no probs in that. (or I can trade in)
All the above is tax deductable.
It has a trip computer and even with my stop/start local driving I get 44mpg and on a gentle run, over 50mpg.
Because it's a 1.3 (1250 turbo actually) it is a low emissions road fund license (first year included in the price). It's quite nippy for what it is too.
It has a three year warranty/100,000 miles. (No MOT's for three years)
I am saving so much in fuel (I only do about 600 miles a month, mind) that that pays half my rental compared to my old Honda car - take into account no garage bills/MOT's/road tax - and being tax deductable then it almost pays for itself in comparison.
However - having so much more room - even with 400l on board (and with my payload you could go to about 550l and have 180Kg left over for you and other gear) I find I am working more quickly and not having to move stuff about.
Ross - I've never gone new in my life - I just wish I had done this sooner - it's not about depreciation for me (If it had been a private car, like you I would hate the idea) but about it being a business tool that does the job.
FWIW it got "van of the year" for 2006 too.
BTW - If I needed 3 seats and higher payload I would have gone scudo - even if it is mvw of 2300kg.
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If you are thinking of the scudo partner size van then hang fire for a few weeks cos a brand new model is comeing out which will be better to drive and it as a better carrying load weight. On the other hand you might be able to pick up a bargin on the old model.
Just to add some more info:-
2 wheel bases & 2 roof heights plus increased payload
http://www.whatvan.co.uk/newvans_s.asp?id=4889