van deals help

[voivod]

Looking to get another van . We have started to get a lot of work and me and partner now need separate vans.
Cant decide whether to just buy another second hand ...or go for new.
Then there is hire /lease/contract ...aaargh
so may minefields.
What did you lot do?
have been thinking of a primastar /vivaro ..or even a nv400.
recommendations please

 

[Riley]

I'm in the same boat mate. I've out grown my van and desperately need to carry more stuff. I'm kind of leaning toward second hand but am not a car/van expert its a bit of a minefield.

 

[plumben]

When buying a second van your going to have to get something's fixed at some point depending on millage obviously like I bought my van drove round for 4 days and the slave cylinder went £460 but it
could of wend a week month year after I bought it that's the chance you take,

 

[Matt06]

I would stay away from Vivaro unless they have fixed them?
My brothers employer bought one a few years ago had to have the gear box changed 3/4 times costing around 1500 each time. He still has it and at the moment it is going ok but he could have probably bought a brand new van for the cost repairs + buying the van

Apparently they have a gearbox out of a vauxhall vectra and the casings stretch/warp

Heard quite a few people with them similar issues

Other than that they are a nice comfy van

 

[Rickster123]

Don't get the nv400 blinking awful van to drive and made like a tin can. Go for a 2nd hand transit. Still the best value for money in my opinion.

 

[kris]

I bought a Renault master mwb high roof, and it's a cracking van , way bigger than vivaros and very comfortable to drive, only had it for 7 months so there's plenty time for me to dislike it but for now I'm impressed,

Used Renault Master Lm35Dci 125 Medium Roof Sport Van for Sale | Farnell Land Rover

 

[voivod]

Just had a look in a nv400 l2h2...looked immpressive beast.
whats wrong wiith them?? didnt drive it

 

[Chalked]

Just had a look in a nv400 l2h2...looked immpressive beast.
whats wrong wiith them?? didnt drive it

Just a posers van. Totally useless for plumbing. Good if you want to carry a ton of gravel!
second hand transit every time.
on a side note, might be selling mine soon. 07 lwb 150hp ,racked out, 95,000 miles. £5000 + vat

 

[voivod]

can fit 3m lengths of copper in it ..what is wrong with it? Spoke to some guys (granted not plumbers) who said they were great vans?

 

[Ermintrude]

We have 3 nv200 and they are awesome. Also buying 2 electric ones next tax year. Fabulous

U can fit 3m tube in u need to cut bulkhead under passenger seat and your away. Forget fuel bills I've done 9k on fumes

 

[voivod]

nv200's are to small . Do you lease or buy them ?

 

[basildog]

My traffic was a good van bought it with 8k on the clock and only problem ever was discs and a new alternator .
I always go new if I can 3 years of no bills !
Used to buy kangoo registered to a hire company for 6 months even though we drove them off the day of registration something about a demo van !
Guy from nissan told me the other day the new transit is a fantastic drive compared to the traffic , vivaro,primastar even though he sells them ! He said it is a no win contest .
Have had oer 50 new motors in my time and touch wood never a problem and I never ever take them back for a service !

 

[gassafe]

Have had oer 50 new motors in my time and touch wood never a problem and I never ever take them back for a service !

Wouldn't want to buy the van after you've had it

 

[Ermintrude]

nv200's are to small . Do you lease or buy them ?

Too small for what? Got all gear in one can still fit boiler 6 flue ext and vertical ladders on roof and 300m of tube. Bought

 

[Leo21]

I would stay away from Vivaro unless they have fixed them?
My brothers employer bought one a few years ago had to have the gear box changed 3/4 times costing around 1500 each time. He still has it and at the moment it is going ok but he could have probably bought a brand new van for the cost repairs + buying the van

Apparently they have a gearbox out of a vauxhall vectra and the casings stretch/warp

Heard quite a few people with them similar issues

Other than that they are a nice comfy van

The Vivario is a Renault traffic, which is a nissan primastar. All renaults and all french.

 

[bright spark]

Voivod, you'll just have to go with what ye can afford, and what ye think ye need. Had a few trafics from new. Maybe I was lucky, never had trouble with them. I do mainly service maintenance commercial stuff. Could prob get by with smaller van 90% but ye can get caught out, stuck for something big ye need straight away.
If your doing lots of install, maybe ye need the master/nv400. Good van for the job. Priced well. All vans I mentioned have 3 seats. NV200 vans are grand too, would 2 seater b a problem. Once it's looks don't bother ye. Heard they great on diesel.

 

[kozak1968]

I always buy new, good tax incentive. There are plenty of deals out there. As to which van you want I've got some mates with the new Transit and they are good.

 

[Nostrum]

Got a new trafic on a contract hire agreement before Christmas 1.6 twin turbo.

Upside, No road tax to pay or mot, repairs or servicing. Downside is you never own the van which seems like quite an expensive way to operate. May try and buy the van at the end if it's any good. Veichles are an expense no matter what I suppose, this way it saves having cash tied up in an asset that's going to lose value.

Was going to lease purchase but they offered a better deal contract hire. Time will tell if it was the right decision.

 

[Riley]

Forgive my ignorance what's the difference between contract hire and lease???

 

[plumba66]

Go with a toyota hiace, I have never heard anything negative about them

 

[bigads28]

Contract Hire, Finance Lease & Purchase Deals Options when leasing from Van

That explains the different options Riley.

 

[Riley]

Thanks Ads I shall have a nose. I just have no idea what the best option is.

 

[southcoastboile]

Vw t5 stands out the most and looks the best. Practical and reliable but hold there money well and expensive new.

 

[Riley]

Vw t5 stands out the most and looks the best. Practical and reliable but hold there money well and expensive new.

That's what I have now, agreed, nice van but just not big enough

 

[Leo21]

Go with a toyota hiace, I have never heard anything negative about them

Apart from there ugly and slow, just like a Land Rover. But I love my toyota, sooooooo reliable.

 

[Millsy 82]

I've driven many different vans over my career the best was a transit more comfortable and more space than a transporter and cheaper. They shift as well when you want them to.

If you struggle with the size of a transporter though then you need to start looking at large vans or rack it out differently.

At the moment I'm working out of an expert (old style) that I didn't think about when I racked it out and it's far too small but if I was to alter the racking I think it would be an ideal size. I will still be going for a 2nd hand transit next hopefully there will be a few transit customs around.