Need my 1st van!!

[Kyle87]

Ok I know these threads appear all the time but I need help here.
Started out as self employed. Just working out of the car. It's doable but I hate it. I need a van.

Needs to be about £3000. Needs 3 seats in the front. Missus and little un.

Where do I start. What should I be looking for. What do you recommend.

Help!!!

 

[SimonG]

Citreon dispatch, Peugeot expert that sort of thing?

 

[SimonG]

I have a 2007 Doblo that I'm gonna be getting rid of but it's only 2 seats in the front tho.

 

[Kyle87]

What kind of mileage would you draw the line at. What kind of things should I look out for?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i've got a dispatch it's spacious enough for me

 

[Kyle87]

I have a 2007 Doblo that I'm gonna be getting rid of but it's only 2 seats in the front tho.

Shame. Can't leave the Missus behind. It's only for the first year or so. Hopefully will afford to run a small car aswell

 

[SimonG]

What kind of mileage would you draw the line at. What kind of things should I look out for?

I wouldn't be too worried at the mileage, but look for service history, cam belt change that sort of thing.

 

[lame plumber]

£3k would have got my little kangoo, 60K on a 54 plate, least thats what the insurers paid when she drowned it in the floods recently, but only 2 seats

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

ford transit, three seats, enough room for all your gear and materials in the back and normaly not too dear to put right if they go wrong

 

[Kyle87]

ford transit, three seats, enough room for all your gear and materials in the back and normaly not too dear to put right if they go wrong

dealers and forcourts etc or steer clear and look in the papers.

 

[Killy Bing]

Same boat, need a little van. Hitting a brick wall working out of a car tbh.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

i prefer to buy from trade sellers, ive bought all my vans from swains services in Iver near heathrow, bit far for you to travel but have a look on his web site, not sure how far 3 grand will go

 

[Leo21]

Look at some, and take them all on there individual merits. Don't worry about high mileage if it's got service history and it runs well. In this price bracket I would be looking at a transit or a hiace personally.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

just went on van trader and put in your loaction, some nice tarnsits on there

 

[Leo21]

I know, a land rover!

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Look at bearwood garage. White 2003 ford transit 103,000 mile in good condition 12 MOT £2495 + vat

 

[Leo21]

Look at bearwood garage. White 2003 ford transit 103,000 mile in good condition 12 MOT £2495 + vat

Good condition in dealer speak means the wheels go round.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

looks in realy good nic in the photos mate

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

I know, a land rover!

3k does not buy a landy,not a good one anyway, they retain there value far more than a van does ,the op should get a decent transit for that but buyer beware rust is a massive issue on fords best seller

 

[Leo21]

looks in realy good nic in the photos mate

Im not saying its not in good nick, but photos can be very deceptive. You want to see my piccy on the dating websites 🙂

 

[mitchellcook]

Haha. I had a friend once tell me he saw a car on a second hand dealers website and it looked clean. Phoned the guy up to ask him about it and the dealer said it was a nice clean car. He went and viewed it and said it looked nice. Then he walked round the other side of the car and the door was missing. pmsl.

 

[CXR100]

i had a citoren dispatch , 52 plate 150ish k , twin sld, and 3 seatis i the front, got 1450 for it, would be ok to start off, but i used it as a car as i had no other means of transport, i sometimes thought it would be quicker in reverse! and it noticed a hill from miles away i bet you could also fit sofa on the dashboard it was so big! got a ford connect now , really impressed by handling , and its a 220 model so its very nippy, on a 06 plate 125k and payed 2 grand for it! why not try o combo crew van or similar??

 

[Kyle87]

What about leasing a van?

 

[villa_tom]

What about leasing a van?

I looked at leasing and it looked like a massive head ache to be honest. I didn't really understand all the terminology and there where big upfront and final payments to be made.

Im looking at new vans now, but I'm going to buy brand new, but I'm going to be a cash buyer. I'm saving in a separate account for a van and hopefully ill have it by this time next year.

When I first went self employed like you are doing now I bought a half decent van, which I still have now.

I got a berlingo on a 56 plate which had 130k on the clock, it has FSH and was in excellent condition (still is)

if I where you I'd do what I did. If I where to start out all over again I'd do everything exactly the same.

 

[downthesouth]

Ford Escort 55. Reliable, easy to work on. slow,very slow. But it will do the job. Just got shot of the Vivaro too unreliable and poor engine performance for what it claims to be. Gone back to my 2nd Escort, smaller,but wont give me any more headaches.

 

[gavinwilson]

Just stay away from 2002/3 transits known for diesel pump faults ,mines leaking at the moment but still running fine £700 for the pump alone

 

[Leo21]

My 51 plate transits gearbox imploded at 30k miles and five years old.

 

[leethegasman]

:auto:If you have £3000 to spend on a van you should get something nice for that leasing is exspensive it will cost you min £2400 a year you normally have to have it serviced at main dealer they will charge you for any dinks at the end of three years ,how i would look at it if you spend your 3K on a second hand van after 15 months your in credit then at that point put away £ 50 a week in a kitty for future van costs that way you will allways have your money ready for future repairs and purchases you do not wont to be buying your next van out your wages.we have a couple of swb low roof transits if you get one before 55 plate they have chain driven cam so no need to change nice and cheap to service 3 seats and plenty of room in the back if you rack them out well.we paid £4150+vat when they had just come out there 3 year lease and that was four years ago so i am sure you could pick up a 2005 plate somewhere for the money you have.if i see any thing i will let you know.

What about leasing a van?

 

[Kyle87]

Cheers lee. I went to the van sales place in syston earlier but they only had stuff over 4 grand with 3 seats and a decent amount space.