[colley614]

I've been looking at a 52 plate escort van. Its a 75 1.8TD, looks in pretty good nick. Has roof rack, bulk head and a water proof rubber floor cover in the back. Its up for sale for £1300. Got a little bit of surface rust here and there but I think I would have a go at treating it.
I have a ford focus 1.6 Zetec on a 53 plate and have owned it since september 07 and since I bought it the water pump went about 4 months later and since then I haven't had a problem with it. Gone though every MOT with a few advisorys which I've had done rather than risk it.
Now because I'm a little tight for cash I asked the guy would he do a swap, he had a look around my car and said yes he would. I know that I need a van for the system I'm getting but I'm getting cold feet about getting rid of my car incase I have problems with the van.
I keep telling myself that if I get the van in 6 months I'd have enough work to buy a better car but I still feel reluctant to get rid of a car thats been bulletproof for so long.

What would you guys do? 

[robby1]

What's the book price on your ford ztec

[king marko]

Any way you could get a similar van on finance? or maybe a 0% credit card? if you are that confident that in 6 months time youll make enough back id be tempted to get a better van mate

[colley614]

I've just had a quote for £1500 to £1900 for my car from car arena. I think with the life my cars had it would be closer the bottom end of the valuation.

If I had the cash in the bank I would have the van parked outside my house now. But letting a car thats been so good go is a little different.

 

[colley614]

Any way you could get a similar van on finance? or maybe a 0% credit card? if you are that confident that in 6 months time youll make enough back id be tempted to get a better van mate

I was thinking of getting the van, getting a small system in the back and then canvassing like mad to build up my round. Once I had a good percentage of a round I was thinking of upgrading the van and getting a bigger tank for the system I'm looking at.

I don't think I'd get finance at the moment. I've spent six months building my credit with a credit card with a limit of £300. I've just missed a mortgage payment so this has obviously wiped any good credit I've built up. Which has killed me because I've been obsessed with building my credit.

[king marko]

Any way you can fit a smaller system in your focus and have a static tank filling up whilst your out and about? You'd only need a tank pump and reel chap  only saying coz I'd be reluctant to get rid of the car 

[colley614]

Any way you can fit a smaller system in your focus and have a static tank filling up whilst your out and about? You'd only need a tank pump and reel chap  only saying coz I'd be reluctant to get rid of the car 

I've already got a backpack, 6 containers, pole, reel, merlin, 100psi shurflo pump and battery in my shed. I'd only need an IBC Tank and new merlin membranes and I'd be away! (Didn't think of that.) I just wanted to looked the part infront of the customers, i.e. sign written van, van mount system and uniforms.

Mark you've certainly given me something to think about!

[king marko]

As long as you look smart and courteous to your customers I don't reckon theyd care too much if you did it out the back of a car - I've seen plenty of cleaners with estates and even a fiesta !  I've seen plenty with rust buskets too  

[gary999]

ive been working out of my passat estate for the last couple
of years doesnt seem to bother my customers or me

i can carry 8 barrels with ease backpack and various other
equip i might need,untill the last of kids bugger off i wont
be getting a van.

you can pick up multispace vehicles now at a reasonable
price cover that in vinyls and you have the best of both worlds

[colley614]

ive been working out of my passat estate for the last couple
of years doesnt seem to bother my customers or me

i can carry 8 barrels with ease backpack and various other
equip i might need,untill the last of kids bugger off i wont
be getting a van.

you can pick up multispace vehicles now at a reasonable
price cover that in vinyls and you have the best of both worlds

It just so happens that my wife has a Zafira for the kids!

[davids3511]

I started out of the back of a Rover 45 with containers and a backpack. Nobody seemed to care.

[colley614]

I started out of the back of a Rover 45 with containers and a backpack. Nobody seemed to care.

until your headgasket went?

I had a rover 414 at it went twice in six months so I bought the car I'm talking about here.

[Dave.]

I started with small box trailer, 400kg rating, squeezed in a 250l flat tank, battery pump and controller and kept the rest of the gear in my vehicle -

I got some magnetic signs made up the trailer, worked OK for me at the start.
Still use the trailer now for gutter vac, generator & pressure washing jobs

[VSP Home Care]

I'm not sure where you're based but in case you're in London don't forget about the emissions laws that are changing next year.  As a guide the vast majority of van's before 06 are unlikely to pass.

[Blue Frog Systems]

started out of a vw sharan with 8 barrels and a backpack ... no one cared either

[rscleaningservices]

I started out on my push bike with ladders on my side cart then I towed my water tank around now got 6 vans !!!! Only Joking !!!!! I wouldnt touch the van if rust is appearing that could be a right joaner keep using the car and when you get more work and sorted out then get a decent van later theres no rush you have a lifetime good luck !!!!!!!!

[Llaaww]

I just scrapped an escort van. I had been nursing it for the last 18 months, but it was too far gone in the end.

The scrappies are full of escorts at the moment, so the spares are as cheap as chips. If you have any practical knowledge of cars/vans it is a cheap van to run.

The old block will run on chip oil if you want, so it could be very cheap to run.

I have my eye on a mint con 75 td with 60k on the clock but haven't got the cash just yet.

They were good vans, it is a shame they don't still make them.

Just had a count up, I have had 6 over the years.

[Ian101]

hows the canvassing going Colley ?

[colley614]

hows the canvassing going Colley ?

I haven't started canvassing yet. I'm still working full time so I can't go building a round as my employer tends to surprise me with a whole weekends work on a Friday which they have done the last few weeks. They tend to do it more often than not and I wouldn't want to let my new customers down. I'm thinking of looking for a few days work with another windy in the new year or working in a supermarket of an evening cleaning toilets and stuff so I've got spare time to build up on my own.

[Ian101]

if u want a hand canvassing gizza a shout m8