small/medium panel van

Joined
10 Dec 2009
Messages
713
Reaction score
16
Location
Middlesex
Country
United Kingdom
Im looking to buy myself small to medium sized van whose main purpose will be to transport a motorcycle to and from race tracks and im looking for some advice/feedback from van owners on what i should get.

The load area will need to be long enough to fit a sports bike and as i dont have a car im also of the idea that i will use it as an everyday run around vehicle, so something that will fit into a car parking space would be ideal.

I dont know that much about vans but have done a little research so far,
Main things im looking for are:

Long service intervals
Good fuel economy
Decent motorway speeds ( will only be using it a few times a month for long runs so doesn’t need to be mega fast... just not mega slow!)
Reliability
Budget is up to 1200 pounds, i think (not alot to ask for 1200 quid ;) )

So far ive narrowed it down to the following choices: (smallest first)

1.Peugeot expert or Citroen Dispatch (old shape)
The Peugeot/citroen was what i looked at first, loads of them about but getting as bike in is a squeeze.. also head they are not so good for reliability/self maintenance, the standard 1.9 is apparently quite slow on motorways unless you get the HDI model.

2.Nissan vannete cargo/LDV cub
Ideal size for me i think and cheap to buy second hand, but seemingly crap for basic self maintenance and really slow plus no turbo versions were made?

3.Toyota Hiace SWB.
Getting bigger now, a bit more expensive but reviews ive read on this dont fault it much, decent on long journeys/ long service intervals and super reliable, however the personal reviews ive read have been 50/50

4.VW transporter SWB
Loads to choose from and very reliable hence the number of older ones about, costly if something goes wrong though and a bit out the big side, not sure about power issues on earlier models.

Im just looking for more information and personal views/experiences of anyone that might have owned any of the above to help me decide

Any comments are welcome
Ta
:)
 
Sponsored Links
I would look for a high top van, otherwise getting bike in and out will be a pain [in the back].
 
Consider a wheelchair carrier conversion - they have a lowered floor, easing the headroom problem, and an access ramp already built in.

Ex - Motability scheme vehicles are often available, and often have a few more creature comforts than a basic van.
 
We've got eight Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Doblo vans on the firm, the oldest being a 51 plate, the newest a 56, so all old shape. They've all been very reliable, we make sure we keep them well maintained and they don't give any real trouble at all. They might be a bit small for your needs though. We run the HDi models, you're quite right about the non-turbos being sluggish, avoid these.

Have a look at Transits if you want something a bit bigger, again lots of them about and cheaper to buy and repair than a VW Transporter. Go for front wheel drive as the RWD ones have a higher floor to accommodate the transmission, this is probably true for most vans.
 
Sponsored Links
Thanks mate, ive done a bit more reasearch and found a few guys that fit thier bikes into a dispatch with out too many problems.

Even found a guy who puts his bike and all the spares in a vauxhall combo which is even smaller (see pics)

http://londonbikers.com/forums/Topic451867-33-2.aspx


i think ill go for the dispatch/expert or scudo as the'yll be more practical for every day run around stuff.

cheers[/url]
 
Back
Top