[hank jr]

Hi again everyone, the last month i've been doing my own nut in trying to figure out the best vehicle combination for my own personal circumstances. Ive been working trad for 8 years now but its time to move on and expand or quit.

I have 3 kids, and i didn't really want  2 vehicles and paying twice for everything such as tax, MOT, fuel etc.

I was leaning towards getting a pickup truck for work and family etc. I knew deep down the truck was always going to be a tight squeeze with work gear etc and having to load stuff in and out which is a pain in my eyes. Also running costs for fuel on a bigger engine with the truck ( and diesel is getting a bad wrap at the moment so i'm waiting for a new stealth tax to come into force).

So after doing my own head in, it seems unavoidable not to have a van and a car. with a  500L wfp system or a trolley system. Im leaning towards a Citroen Dispatch,  Peugeot Expert, Fiat Scudo or a VW Caddy Maxi. I'm only looking to spend between 3-4 k.

So i'm just curious what do you use if you have kids? If you have one of these vans listed here, what are they like on fuel? Are they known for problems and breakdowns?

I look forward to all your responses 

[Stoots]

I had this dilemma.

But like you say a 4x4 like a warrior costs more on fuel an road tax plus if you want to carry kidd and stuff in the back you have to take all your gear out.

And if it breaks down you have  no backup

I have a 2007 scudo 1.6 and an old car that gets used one a week or so but it's there as a backup for a trolley if I need it.

I would recommend the van but not the engine.  If getting one get the 2 0hdi more reliable and powerful.

[hank jr]

I had this dilemma.

But like you say a 4x4 like a warrior costs more on fuel an road tax plus if you want to carry kidd and stuff in the back you have to take all your gear out.

And if it breaks down you have  no backup

I have a 2007 scudo 1.6 and an old car that gets used one a week or so but it's there as a backup for a trolley if I need it.

I would recommend the van but not the engine.  If getting one get the 2 0hdi more reliable and powerful.

Thanks for your comments Adam, i was looking at your van last night looks great. Thats what made me put that van on my list of "potential vans"   

Ive noticed the majority of newer scudo's for sale are the 1.6L ....not that many 2.0L  maybe thats the reason.....

[chris turner]

I have 2 kids which is why i went for a Citroen dispatch lwb. 3 seats in the front, nice and roomy and plenty of space in the back.
I do have the 1.6 hdi but as long as it's fully serviced every year, including the fuel pump, and taken for a long drive every now and again to clean the dpf then you really shouldn't have any problems.
Maybe you should look at a crew van Hank. Less space in the back but more seats.

[hank jr]

I have 2 kids which is why i went for a Citroen dispatch lwb. 3 seats in the front, nice and roomy and plenty of space in the back.
I do have the 1.6 hdi but as long as it's fully serviced every year, including the fuel pump, and taken for a long drive every now and again to clean the dpf then you really shouldn't have any problems.
Maybe you should look at a crew van Hank. Less space in the back but more seats.

Do you think the crew van will have enough space in the back for water tank and all the gear?

[chris turner]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701171387570?make=citroen&model=dispatch&postcode=&onesearchad=New%2CNearly%20New%2CUsed&advertising-location=at_vans&sort=price-asc

Something like this then yes you could easily get your gear in.

Wouldn't buy that particular van though, you can get better prices and mileage if you look around.
Mines a 13 plate and only done 33000, i bought it at a year old for £7500 no vat with 17000 on the clock. Travelled over 200 miles for it, well worth it though as i reckon i saved at least 4k on it.

[Shrek]

I have a transit connect swb and a BMW for the family. Iv always stuck with bmws for the last 13 years because I find German cars very reliable.

[chris turner]

I have a transit connect swb and a BMW for the family. Iv always stuck with bmws for the last 13 years because I find German cars very reliable.

I honestly believe any vehicle is reliable if you look after it.
I have a Vauxhall Astra elite, 09 plate, 55000 miles, never missed a beat. Again i bought that at a year old with about 15000 on the clock, full service every year, premium fuel every 3rd tank and cleaned every week. 8 years old now and nothing but servicing and tyres spent on it. Same as my van.

[hank jr]

I have a transit connect swb and a BMW for the family. Iv always stuck with bmws for the last 13 years because I find German cars very reliable.

I honestly believe any vehicle is reliable if you look after it.
I have a Vauxhall Astra elite, 09 plate, 55000 miles, never missed a beat. Again i bought that at a year old with about 15000 on the clock, full service every year, premium fuel every 3rd tank and cleaned every week. 8 years old now and nothing but servicing and tyres spent on it. Same as my van.

would you take a chance on this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Peugeot-Expert-Comfort-1-6tdi-Manual-9-Seat-Minibus-Wheelchair-Accessible-/192163613587?hash=item2cbdd80b93:g:ogUAAOSwHHFY9yGo

[Shrek]

I have a transit connect swb and a BMW for the family. Iv always stuck with bmws for the last 13 years because I find German cars very reliable.

I honestly believe any vehicle is reliable if you look after it.
I have a Vauxhall Astra elite, 09 plate, 55000 miles, never missed a beat. Again i bought that at a year old with about 15000 on the clock, full service every year, premium fuel every 3rd tank and cleaned every week. 8 years old now and nothing but servicing and tyres spent on it. Same as my van.

Your right there Chris , if you look after something then it should last longer. Iv just found that bmws don't really change the shape that often which means your car looks newer , longer. Whereas fords and other makes completely change the shape of newer models so you car looks old within a few years. I enjoy driving bmws too

[chris turner]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2007-ford-transit-connect-t230-lwb-90-bhp-1.8-tdci-diesel-manual-crew-van-no-v/1233639771

This one looks ok for your price range.
Little on the small side but you could be clever with the space, i.e lay flat tank with hose reel mounted on top.

[hank jr]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2007-ford-transit-connect-t230-lwb-90-bhp-1.8-tdci-diesel-manual-crew-van-no-v/1233639771

This one looks ok for your price range.
Little on the small side but you could be clever with the space, i.e lay flat tank with hose reel mounted on top.

ha ha my misses said shes not sitting in that as the main family car  i might just go ahead and get it !!

only joking, seriously she said its not a family "car" / van type vehicle. shes a right fussy one

[chris turner]

Your very limited with that budget. If you could stretch it to 5k you have lots more options.

[robbo333]

Just to put into perspective.
I use a 2006 ford connect swb for work. 350L tank but I carry another 100L in containers. I can just get everything in for conny cleans etc. I am selling it soon to my brother for 1K. It looks fantastic (silver with good sign writing). I would be happy pulling up to a million pound house in it and presenting myself. It's been totally reliable in the 8 years i've had it. (just lucky).
My son in law just sold an old Honda CRV. It looked lovely. It was totally reliable and he could get the 3 kids in plus loads of other stuff. He preferred his Jag so he sold the Honda for £400. It was a great car.
In total that's £1400 for two motors. Probably £1800 for two motors as my brother got mates rates. So two motors on a budget is do-able.

[SB Cleaning]

I have a transit connect swb and a BMW for the family. Iv always stuck with bmws for the last 13 years because I find German cars very reliable.

I only buy German cars too

[Stoots]

2 motors makes more sense

If you are getting a crew van, make sure it has a bulkhead, wouldnt want a 500 l tank strapped in at the back of my kids!

I owuld imagine a LWB crew van would be needed if you did anything other than windows like pressure washing etc. And LWB crews are not cheap

My scudo was 2.5 k

My car is a DAEWOO LANOS 1.6 AUTO    1998 R reg, 28k form new one grandad owner before me (got it handed down thru family) its an absoloute weapon but i love it, has a sports mode as well 

[hank jr]

I've just been crunching numbers and it works out having a van and a car will cost me roughly £48 per month to have a car sit there doing very little.  All work and collecting would be done in a van. leaves the weekends for using the car, but i could in most cases use the van as its only my youngest 2 boys who ever want to go out fishing  and stuff. My oldest is doing what 15 year old lads do....not being with mum or dad ha ha

Should i look at it as cleaning 1 extra house per week and just pay it or damn right refuse to clean an extra house for FREE every week just to pay for a car to sit there    oh the joys

[windowswashed]

I have a Merc Vito for work which is ideal for me and a BMW F30 for pleasure, etc so best of both worlds but then I went 10 years without a car and just made do with a bike all year round so now it's nice to stay dry evenings and not worry about falling off my bike anymore as it was embarrassing  sometimes:)

[windowswashed]

A crew van would probably be your best option. I have a dualiner and they are quick release so I can put them back in anytime as they only take a minute as they are isofix fittings and tank gets strapped right behind second bulkhead so best of both if I need it. Vauxhall vivaro' crew van lwb is good for both but  register with a lot of garages for their new stock emails before they go on the forecourts as they go in days or weeks as very popular and don't stay on the forecourts long 

[dazmond]

i have a brand new van on finance lease(the new connect L2 LIMITED) for work and a GOLF GTI that i bought for 5k for leisure.best to get separate vehicles if you can afford it mate IMO.

you should be able to get a fairly decent connect lwb t230 for 3k-4k.