buying a van

[matchan]

Boys & Girls,

Any advice? Thinking of getting one to cart the trackie around in as well as shopping trolley, 2nd car.

I realise anything I get is likely to be an ex-commercial/courier, so what to look out for? Any one got one, what did you get?

Also, how do you handle carrying fuel?

Cheers
Matt

[Blurr]

Watching with interest.

I am also considering this. Looking at the Hyundai Iload atm as they seem wider and have the double door.

[Blurr]

Also interested in Diesel vs Petrol debate. The price of the diesel van far outweigh any fuel cost saving in my circumstance and I am curious to know if it make that big of a difference with the bikes in the back. Lets face it, bikes with gear isnt that heavy compared to the way a full tradie would have it. So is it worth it?

[grundor]

I used a 2002 Vito when i was repping for eurotred. It was pretty good and comfy and drove pretty damn well fully loaded or not. I used to do alot of klms in a week as i covered the northern nsw region from sydney.It was a turbo diesel auto but it was a really easy comfy thing to drive and not too slow either. Id recommend one and i used to throw my bike in the back often no sweat.

[robracer]

Also interested in Diesel vs Petrol debate. The price of the diesel van far outweigh any fuel cost saving in my circumstance and I am curious to know if it make that big of a difference with the bikes in the back. Lets face it, bikes with gear isnt that heavy compared to the way a full tradie would have it. So is it worth it?

iload is winning awards left right & centre if you are after a new one Russ, as for P Vrs D if its deisel make sure its a Turbo otherwise stick with petrol.

[robracer]

I realise anything I get is likely to be an ex-commercial/courier, so what to look out for? Any one got one, what did you get? Also, how do you handle carrying fuel? Matt

Matt as I discovered there are a mass of vans out there but they are overpriced to buggery, mistreated & got high mileage. when I was looking for my one I scored the perfect medium low K's & was used by Ageing & dissability Gov Department,
so basically it was not used everyday, it had low K's & was serviced by the book... I think I was bloody lucky.
The price for new vans is farked.... overpriced because of the commercial factor, you really dont get much for your dollar... same thing applies down the line for secondhand ones, so it takes allot of patience & searching to find a good one thats not overpriced there are a mass of buyers in the market for vans so picking up a good one is not easy.
Main thing I would look at is the service history Matt, you dont want to buy one then fine 2 months later you are looking for a recon motor + avoid Ford Transit from a private use perspective as the parts are bloody expensive for euro models like my one, from a business perspective the cost it can be written off so its not that bad but if its coming out of your own pocket it can hurt.
Carrying fuel..... keep the window down

[kaneg]

Firts of all, congrats to your decission Matt, Blurr and anyone else....

Love the van idea, you'll never look back providing you don't select a lemon.
I like the Russ's idea of the Iload, looks very today

Used to have an early Toyota Hiace, the engine was unruinable and it used to carry absolutelly everything, the body was a different story.

Whatever you get, watch the chassis (body)





ps. you realise of course that having one can grow into another idea

[Wattie]

diesel all the way.

they just drive so much better

[ijuschill]

For under $30k new the Hyundai iLoad is a good option plus has a 5yr unlimited warranty, so even if you do get a 2nd hand one it will still have warranty , but don't think it's a turbo diesel

[photomike666]

I have a diesel Merc MB 100D, 2.9 turbo diesel. Has been reliable for the last 2 years, does 10L per 100 town and freeway. It's not fast and the motor is a bit loud in the cab (nothing a stereo can't drown out), but deals with tracky duties well including interstate trips.

One of the selling points of this van for me was that it is front wheel drive. This allows a lower floor in the rear = easier motorcycle loading. With a squeeze, I got my tracky, Hoffy's barge and track day gear loaded in.

Nothing gets wet in the rain, and with an air matress it turns into an OK camper.

As for fuel, I chuck a jerry can inside the back door and fill it us as close to the track as possible.

[bonester]

I bought a 6 year old Mazda E1800 off ebay for $3350 and it is great. Ex-courier 297000km then, 317000km now. Cheap as but with aircon and Alpine stereo pretty comfy. Been pretty reliable with the exception of needing a new radiator and heater core due to neglect from previous owners- cooling system was clogged and very rusty coz they didn't run inhibitor. Uses no oil and reasonable on fuel- 10km/L. Can cart 4 bikes- two GN250 inside and two on trailer. Does really well. In retrospect though I would buy a higher roofed or larger van coz I have to remove the mirrors to get the bikes inside. Not the end of the world but a pain. A dirtbike would be worse.

[HYPE]

ex-Gov Auctionsand the likes should find you something decent.. look for dept health / aged care etc
they're usually regularly serviced as well

or have a peek at the usuals Manheim Fowles & Pickles

http://www.governmentauctions.com.au/?g ... bgod8khW0w

http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/auctions/ex-government/

http://www.manheimfowles.com.au/find_bu ... tate_all=1

[Johnnie5]

driving a van sucks arse

whats your budget ? decent vans cost $$$

forget anything euro , they cost a bomb to fix

hiace ftw

diesel petrol argument , diesel will always retain value , but petrol will be cheaper to repair something major

petrol hiace doesnt have timing belt so nothing major there and are still fairly good on fuel 10L /100

driving a van sucks arse

mazda econovan is economy in name alone

driving vans suck arse

strongly consider a trailer for your existing vehicle , an enclosed trailer is good for extra storage , and cheap rego as vans come under commercial and as such have commercial rego

a trailer you will have for years with SFA maintenance , change your tow vehicle as required, or buy a cheap falcadore and replace as required

if you do buy a van , buy the best condition van you can for your budget , good vans always sell easily

[Wattie]

Hey Robracer, how long since you checked out Hyundai's?

one went past tonight while i was walking my woofer, and unless my dog had a breathing issue, it had a distinct whizz/whistle noise.

oh and Commercial rego would suit Russ i think, as he will be using it to cart flour and yeast.

[robracer]

so what are you saying wattie they are all deisel turbo? & no I have not looked at what is available but I am sure there are quite a few different configs
& russ will need room for the Sugar too not to mention an extra row of seats to transport the young nubile workforce