Which van for £4,000 ?

[Tony Cooper]

Hello all,

I'm just starting out and need to buy myself a van with a budget of £4,000. What do you own and what would you recommend for that price ?

I've had a look on autotrader and there's a mind-boggling range of makes and models, so any experiences or advice of what to consider or stay clear of would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

Tony

[goz]

I have an Astra Van, which is a great van but it has no side door so i find it a pain having to crawl to the back of the van and tend not to touch whatever is up that end of the van. Had a rental van a while back it was a Transit connect, great runner, got some guts in the engine for when your carrying a heavy load and has a side door, ideal size as well. This will be my next van. My advice would be to make having a side door a priority.

[david campbell]

for that money you could pick up a good berlingo or kango

[diamondtiling]

Transporter or similar, side door is a huge benefit. You will get a good one for the money you have.

[doug boardley]

I'd go for a transit sized van, one that you can get full sheets of plasterboard in

[paulyoung666]

I'd go for a transit sized van, one that you can get full sheets of plasterboard in

and plywood etc , i reckon you are going to get a lot of ford transit for £4000

[enduro]

I had a vauxhall combo, but i found that a bit small. I have just got a Peugeot Expert van, bit more than £4,000 but you could get a good older shape one for that money.

[suave]

i got a vauxhall combo mate,iam going to change it for a volkswagen transporter tdi,used to have a golf tdi they run forever,same engine

[suave]

nice van mate

[Tony Cooper]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Enduro - that peugeot is a beaut, although a bit out of my price range!
Know what you mean by a transit sized vans' though fellas, but I guess the running costs will be a bit higher? Heard a few good comments about the transit connect though and taking your advice here I'll now take a look at the transporter and peugeot expert.
Cheers

[Sir Ramic]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Enduro - that peugeot is a beaut, although a bit out of my price range!
Know what you mean by a transit sized vans' though fellas, but I guess the running costs will be a bit higher? Heard a few good comments about the transit connect though and taking your advice here I'll now take a look at the transporter and peugeot expert.
Cheers

Remember the transit connect comes in 2 wheelbases. The shorter ones side door is next to useless.

[Wingn]

If I had 4 grand my first choice would be a Transit Connect or a Transporter. Wouldn't bother with the french stuff myself.

[gm140]

I've got a Citreon Relay SWB, I got it for £2700, 04 Plate. Its got bags of space, easily takes 8x4 sheets of ply, great runner

Graeme
ETL Pro Tiling

[dhsanta65]

I have a Ford Connects with a side door (side door is a must in any van )
great wee van, only thing as others have said can't take full 8x4 sheets which is a pain but it does fit in my garage so don't have to unload tools at night.

[united]

I have an Expert and love it. Try looking on ebay, you can pick up a bargain on there if your lucky but make sure you do a HPI check and have a look at the van before you buy.

[Dave]

Really depends on what you want to carry... i get all my tiles etc delivered... so no probs with a smaller van..

I just traded in the older shape scudo van on a 56 plate...side loading doors are crap on them.. wind whistles in no matter what you adjust.

So i got a new transit connect.. i wanted the transporter sportline...but too much money for a work van..

Any way my new connect is the best van i have owned yet...

i have had escorts/astra/..kubistar..which is the same as a kangoo and the connect is the best yet..

[jamie B]

have had pegeuot expert (good) Astra van (very good!)..but have had 2 vauxhall Vivaro's..the best by far..great size (will sneak an 8 x 4 sheet in the back) side/rear loading and a very nippy six speed. Never had any major problems..they seem to run and run. That sorta money will easily see you a 53 onwards plate with decent mileage. IMO a cracking work horse!..good luck!

[whitebeam]

Don't know how some of you guys manage, I've got a Transit and still manage to fill it up

[tubs]

Caddy all the way, its an SDI but great wee van, built well !!!

[Tony Cooper]

Thanks lads,
Plenty of food for thought there, now it's just a case of seeing what's available.
Cheers for the advice,
Tony

[Sean fsy]

Caddy looks an ace little van, how do you carry lengths of tile trim though?

[tubs]

Caddy looks an ace little van, how do you carry lengths of tile trim though?

The plastic bulkhead has square holes that the trim fits through, now I have roof bars so easier !!!

[TF Ed]

you can pick up a mercedes vito 05 plate for £4000. engines go on forever but a bit prone to rust. you can get 8x4 sheets in the back and 2 side loading doors.
lots of options to consider??

[Sean Page]

Transporter every time

[andy allen]

transit mate every time cheap to work on parts cheap reliable loads room in the back igot an r reg transit 150tho on the clock still going strong