[paul ette]

looking for a new van and a  man system, very nearly spent a fair amount on a setup.

thing is, i cant make my mind up if its worth spending more on a newer van
reason is, with all this weight being carried around day in day out, all this water everywhere, all this stop start driving.
is it really worth spending more on a van too trash it???

just a thought

[the king]

i was in the same boat a wile back thault shall i get a new one on hp or get a second hand i found a nce second hand van toyota haice for £850 130k on the clock, it dont matter if it gets frashed or nocked about there bullet prouf any way lol im happyt with it an glad i got it

[paul ette]

cheap van that 850 for a hiace

[the king]

yea m8 i got very lucky it was a x painter an decerators van he just retired so was selling cheep very nce van far beta than the last scodo i had an payed £1500 for

[PoleKing]

As much as you can afford.
Its not about having a new shiny van, its about knowing that she'll start and get you working in the morning.
A cheap van may do.
In my experience, brand new was worth the money for the peace of mind.

[Clever Forum Name]

I have to drive to work. Work out of the van. Then drive home.

Now I have had a new van. I always hope to have new vans.

Air con. Reverse camera. Etc etc. All makes the day more enjoyable.

[the king]

ur van is very nce demo i gota say  if i was to get new that is one ide defo look at 

[Clever Forum Name]

These new vans are just like cars to drive. Effort less.

[duncan h]

Don't forget TV.  Wouldn't be without it. Flea bay £300.satnav, tv, reversing camera, internet etc

[NWH]

I would buy as close to new as possible and it would have to have air con,I reckon the air con actually earns me more money in the summer due to being refreshed between jobs from it. In the summer on really hot days without it would be tourturous now, any van I get from now on would have to have air con on it. I wouldn't buy one with 1000s of miles on it unless you have a low budget,it's obvious it's going to cost you more long term your buying it at the end of its life

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Answering the topic titles question, IMO spend what you can afford.
Van buying is a lottery!
You can have loads of problems with a low mileage example and not one problem with something that has gone to the moon and back and vice versa.
My first van, that is now our training/gutter cleaning/ pressure washing van has covered over 200,000 miles, I have had a ball joint fitted, new starter motor and an odd tyre. On the other hand I had to scrap a lovely clean low mileage full service history berlingo after 6 months.
Go for a newer transit connect and swop your gear from your old one.

[Stoots]

Unless your buying brand with warrantys etc  then whether you spend 500 quid or 5 grand or 10 grand reliabilty cant be guaranteed, a lot of its pot luck regardless of mileage etc.

[JSMC]

My first van was 3 year old vivaro with 34k on clock. Boyght in 2008 n just about to sell it with 84 k on clock. Maintained well with service history. Just got myself vwt5 6 month old with 16k on clock.

Thought i would treat myself.

[paul ette]

nice van, if your selling the vivaro has it got a system with it?

[JSMC]

system is being swapped over. it has 400ltr tank in it at present bolted through floor with spreader plates. Van had timing n water pump done at 55k. it is serviced every8-10k. other year new discs n rear calipers. van is ok n does for work. little rust on wheel arch etc. Think i hit a pot hole other week as pulling to one side. Hopeful it is just tracking. Probs track rod though lol

[Sean Dyer]

My first van was 3 year old vivaro with 34k on clock. Boyght in 2008 n just about to sell it with 84 k on clock. Maintained well with service history. Just got myself vwt5 6 month old with 16k on clock.

Thought i would treat myself.

I got a t5 63 plate with 18 k on 3 month ago

hands down the best thing ive done for my business since i got wfp

looks pro and no downtime , sick of 2nd hand van problems

[JSMC]

my vivaro has never let me down. granted it has had little things here n there. Recently  battery was drained but that was it.

[ChumBucket]

In 10.5 years of wfp, I've only lost 2 weeks due to van reliability. This was one issue, which was electronic. I'm just onto my third van & all have been either 3 or 4 years old when bought. In fact, my last van, I ran it 100% trouble free for 4.5 years &  only lost £1750 on resale!! Yes, it cost me £1750 to run 4.5 years trouble free motoring!!

[dazmond]

its entirely up to you and your budget and how much you ll use the van,mileage you do etc.

i only use my van for work and do around 2,500 miles a year so i couldnt justify buying a brand new van.

most of my second hand vans have lasted 4 or 5 years with minimum repairs here and there.

my t230 connect cost me £2400 in april this year.i fully expect it to last me 4 years at least.i have put 4 new tyres,a battery and new startermotor on it.oh and had the cambelt changed.

[Lee.]

I bought a Nissan Primastar that is an ex fridge van, its fully fibre glassed inside and insulated, with a built in drain hole. Its amazing as cleaning it out is a swizz and never any worries about the tank leaking also keeps lovely and warm with just a little fan heater in the winter, If I decided to get a propane water heater I probably wouldn't need to worry about carbon monoxide problems as there is no way it could leak into the cabin. Best thing I ever did!