My mate wants a van

**Angel Boy** · 24th February 2006, 23:34

Ok guys and gals. My mate wants a van instead of a car. I understand his thinking so he isn't too mental really.

I cycles a lot and rather then messing around dismantelling a wet and muddy bike, or getting cold after a sweaty road ride he'd rather just drop the bike in the back of a van and get going.

He also travels abroad a lot with a group of friends so he could use the van to carry everyones kit.

Neither of us knows much about vans at all so just looking for some does and don'ts really about buying a van and what are the best makes/models.

My thoughts are get a minibus and remove two rows of seats out of the back as the cabin will be more soundproofed then a box van, but I could be talking out of my bum.

Any help appreciated.
Andy

**AJA** · 24th February 2006, 23:44

I may be wrong but a van is cheaper on road tax and certainly cheaper on insurance.

My initial thought was a Vauxhall combi Van. It's basically a Corsa with a BIG box on the back. It's small enough to park in a multistorey car park and big enough to carry a load of stuff. It'll defo fit a few mountain bikes in easily.

Plus, if you're mate is into modding - we all know what engine can fit into a Corsa engine bay.

If I was buying a van second hand, I'd defo have it inspected professionally as you never know what sort of life it's had. Also van's are frequently brocken into for tools etc, so check how many keys come with the van.

HTH

**Caterman** · 24th February 2006, 23:50

It all depends on how big a van he wants really. I use a van every day and have done for the last 10 years. In that time i have had 2x VX combo's, 4xVX Astra (inc 1.7CDTi) and 2x Pugeot Expert 2.0 HDi. The Astra 1.7CDTi was an excellent van, fast, comfy as it had the "recaro" seat option and economical. With a tuning box it would have been a real "license looser". however it was just too small for my needs. The Pugeots have been the best all rounders, Fairly quick for their size, very comfy, my latest does not have the three seat option but the proper recliners. It has CD player, Elec windows, mirrors, air con. The last one i had did 60000 miles in 11 months and this one has done 17000 since the end of last year. They have not missed a beat once.

**Green Growler** · 25th February 2006, 01:44

If you are considering a minibus, make sure who ever needs to drive it has the correct licence to do so.
It's ok for us older farts, our licence covers us.
But newer drivers are more restricted on the number of seats in a bus.

**taffy** · 25th February 2006, 07:59

You see quite a few ex AA vw vans knocking about. These have full 5 seats plus the van bit at the back. Best of both worlds!!

**taffy** · 25th February 2006, 08:05

Link:-

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...00603221684137

**Ian** · 25th February 2006, 10:00

check out the issue RE VAT with vans, iirc you have to pay VAT with vans

**Triple Trouble** · 25th February 2006, 11:47

Insurance will cost him a fortune as most insurance companies will refuse to believe theat he is not using the van for business or carrying goods.
Friend of man has a Combi diesel, is 54 with full N/C. He uses the van as a run around and is paying over £500 a year F/C FFS!!!

**Angel Boy** · 26th February 2006, 21:26

Thanks for the input guys. I have posted him a link to this thread. you never know we may tempt him to get a sensible car, Vec estate???

He likes the AA van idea by the way.

Andy