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Subject Topic: Transit, Vivaro, or something else? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonArgente4
05/9/2016 at 3:03pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Avondale Perle Orestes View Argente4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Argente4 Reply   Quote Argente4 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2010

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Looking at base vehicles for our self build project. Want something fairly small and reliable as it will be used for commuting 2-3 days a week. Size wise the small SWB transit or Vivaro type vehicles fit the bill.
Our budget is only £6-7k total and this has got to include a rock n roll bed with belted seats (to transport four people in total), windows (unless they're already in), and a pop-top roof. Everything else hubby and I will do. We estimate this leaves a maximum of £3k for the base vehicle, so looking at older models.
We don't have any idea about vans and what to look for, so any info on reliability, running costs etc, would be much appreciated.


Personfleck2
05/9/2016 at 5:27pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Elddis accordo Motorhome View fleck2's Profile View Profile   Reply to fleck2 Reply   Quote fleck2 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2006

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I've had both the transit (58 reg) and vivaro (06 reg) work vans.
The Vivaro was the better van overall, mainly because it wasn't going rusty by 2 and a half years old. But the vivaro also drove nicer on the motorway ie it seemed steadier.
Plus points for the transit was it had all gadgets known to man on it, cruise control, heated screen the lot.


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PersonArgente4
05/9/2016 at 5:48pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Avondale Perle Orestes View Argente4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Argente4 Reply   Quote Argente4 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2010

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Thanks, I had heard that transits could rust quickly. Nice to hear from someone who's had both, thanks.


Personpepe63
05/9/2016 at 9:07pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse) View pepe63's Profile View Profile   Reply to pepe63 Reply   Quote pepe63 Quote  
Joined: 30/9/2007

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If looking at Vivaros(similar) check online about gearbox failures etc...

I know it's only tends to be the bad stuff that folk post online but still worth looking into
(..and seeing in which year it got sorted?).


PersonGCMS2012
05/9/2016 at 9:32pm
 Location: Northumberland
 Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK View GCMS2012's Profile View Profile   Reply to GCMS2012 Reply   Quote GCMS2012 Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2013

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Go for the Vivairo..

Boss has one. He 'half converted' it to have another row of seats in behind the fronts, and still have a carrying space - for his and his mates golf clubs...

His words were...

'If it lay down and died tomorrow, he'd have another....'

One thing he did say though, DO NOT get a 5 speed - go for the 6, and don't get a white one! (obvious reasons )

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


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Personfleck2
05/9/2016 at 9:48pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Elddis accordo Motorhome View fleck2's Profile View Profile   Reply to fleck2 Reply   Quote fleck2 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2006

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The salesman said the gearbox issue was sorted by the 06 plate. Apparently the early ones had car gearboxes in them.


PersonArgente4
07/9/2016 at 9:10pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Avondale Perle Orestes View Argente4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Argente4 Reply   Quote Argente4 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2010

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Seen quite a few online post-2007 in our price range. Just need to take the plunge!


Personpepe63
08/9/2016 at 8:44am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse) View pepe63's Profile View Profile   Reply to pepe63 Reply   Quote pepe63 Quote  
Joined: 30/9/2007

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When just skimming through the many online "comments" on them(and once you've filtered out the "Don't touch one with a barge pole" at one end and the "the best van on the road!" at the other) , it does seem as if the later *2 ltr engined vans were better?
(*did they have the 6 speed box instead of the 5?)

As smart and tidy as they may appear, I'd certainly be taking my time to fully check up on the mechanical history of any such van though...

Online talk of £1000 plus for gearbox repairs (and some at very low mileages and some failing more than once!) would worry the cr*p out of me, especially when it's having to be spent on a relatively low(ish) priced vehicle..

(our old tub of a Hiace Powervan, is basic, crude and dated but it's on 212,000 mules and gets by on rudimentary servicing).


PersonArgente4
08/9/2016 at 1:37pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Avondale Perle Orestes View Argente4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Argente4 Reply   Quote Argente4 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2010

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Thank you for taking the time to have a look for me.
I'm veering towards VWs at the moment. Even if it means not having as much "stuff" in it. The make has stood the test of time and as someone said in my other post, parts are relatively easy to get and older ones are not too difficult to work on.
Hubby wants a Vivaro (or similar) due to them being slightly larger (not sure if that's true), and a lot cheaper!


Persondinkum
09/9/2016 at 6:52am
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2008

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Another option is the Nissan NV200.Slightly smaller than the Vivaro. We have had ours for over 3 years and at 40,000 miles has been totally reliable. You can pick one up secondhand within your budget. Several people have contacted me via my Blog with details of their self conversions. Ours was created by Drivelodge as I no longer have workshop/space to self convert. Ours is the 110ps., 6 speed model and we average about 53 mpg. The engine is a 1.5 litre Renault Turbo Diesel. I cannot recommend the NV200 more highly. My Blog can be accessed via my profile and homepage.Hope this helps. Other NV200 owners post on UKcampsite too if you search.

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


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Personmercier
09/9/2016 at 5:27pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View mercier's Profile View Profile   Reply to mercier Reply   Quote mercier Quote  
Joined: 27/8/2016

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Hello Argentina. I have a 1983 VW camper for sale on this site. Also on Gumtree and preloved , with more photos, am willing to negotiate on the price.
Peter
07506688853


Personmikael
10/9/2016 at 10:18am
 Location: WEST DORSET
 Outfit: Nissan NV200 View mikael's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikael Reply   Quote mikael Quote  
Joined: 27/9/2014

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Fully second Dinkum's endorsement of the NV200. Build is excellent, and for such a small van, yet still able to accommodate a good sized bed with 4.3 metres cubed of space in the back. A great van which you will easily pick up a modern van in your budget.

-------------
go for it



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