Need to buy a van...

tickford2001 · 01-10-2009, 02:39 PM

Hi all,

Im in the market to buy a van to use for deliveries etc in a new venture im putting together.

Because its something im just starting out on, i dont have a lot of cash to splash just yet, but i do want to get something thats going to be reliable, and easy and cheap for me to do the maintenance on it myself, or repair if it does break down.

There are so many options, but ive never really had anything to do with vans so i thought id come draw on the pool of knowledge that is ford forums!

It doesnt really need a huge payload, probably going to have a max of 3 or 4 60kg boxes in it. Havent really thought about whether id prefer petrol or diesel, but i guess fuel costs are something to consider.

So, anyone got any advice / experience when it comes to vans?

CHEETR · 01-10-2009, 02:43 PM

i can get you into a manual petrol hiace brand new for $32,500.. i work for toyota.
they retail at about 39,000

blackxrsix · 01-10-2009, 02:52 PM

If your after a normal size van buy toyota hiace,ive had mitsubishi vans they are crap,i have got a mercedes vito for my aprentice 2008 very good vans cheep to run 820kays to a tank driving around the city.30,000 km service intervals.I have a 2009 mercedes sprinter twin turbo,6speed i wouldnt buy anything else.very reliable plenty of power.cheers

:

outback_ute · 01-10-2009, 03:25 PM

Race transporter - tax write-off!

duaned · 01-10-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

i can get you into a manual petrol hiace brand new for $32,500.. i work for toyota.
they retail at about 39,000

Gee, I have seen them selling for $29,000 on road! To the OP, I say go for a diesel where ever possible. They are very reliable motors, no ignition to worry about, and great on mileage. Go for a Hiace diesel, Mercedes diesel etc. But stay away from Mitsi Express's, Ford Econovan's, Mazda E2000's etc.

Fairlane · 01-10-2009, 07:02 PM

Mate of ours has got a new Toyota Hiace Diesel SLWB Auto and its a beautiful van. Talking some serious dough though.

Suggestion well Hiace is nice, get a 2nd hand one with low kays. Merc's and VW's are nice, but once again quite a few bucks. Id advise against getting a Transit, we had one and it was a POS and well some of the parts prices would make your eyes water and well Misubishi Express drivers are suicidal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnY_h4soriY

Ive been hearing a few good things about the Fiat Ducato, anyone else know much about them. Hyundai iLoad seems good too and its got a 5 year warranty, so that would have to be worth a look.

CHEETR · 01-10-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duaned

Gee, I have seen them selling for $29,000 on road! To the OP, I say go for a diesel where ever possible. They are very reliable motors, no ignition to worry about, and great on mileage. Go for a Hiace diesel, Mercedes diesel etc. But stay away from Mitsi Express's, Ford Econovan's, Mazda E2000's etc.

i find that funny..

please do tell and show me where you can find a BRAND NEW hiace pet manual for 29k on road.

as i'll buy 10 for the dealership thats 3k cheaper than what a dealership buys them from toyota for!

amazing work mate!!!!

Franco Cozzo · 01-10-2009, 08:00 PM

What about the Hyundai iLoad?

matty88 · 01-10-2009, 08:03 PM

I've got a VW Transporter for sale, 2000 model, $12,500 if you're interested? Located in Vic

lamborghinifan · 01-10-2009, 08:15 PM

+1 for transporter. the new ones will give my ute a run for it's money. 6sp td are great. but do get AWD cause 2wd just doesn't cut it once the turbo kicks in :-D

Pearly · 01-10-2009, 08:59 PM

I'd stay away from Mitsu and Mazda, they broke down a lot for me.

matty88 · 01-10-2009, 09:36 PM

The one I have for sale is AWD, I'll put up an ad soon

Hiaces are great too, done a lot of LPG conversions on them too, parts are plentiful and cheap too

XR Martin · 01-10-2009, 09:38 PM

If anyone read his first post I dont think he's looking for a new van.

**redxm** · 01-10-2009, 09:43 PM

cant go wrong with a hiace. They are just about impossible to kill. Stay well away from Transit Vans. They are a money pit

XR Martin · 01-10-2009, 09:49 PM

Older Transit with a Commo V6 conversion wouldnt be too bad.

RSgerry · 01-10-2009, 10:43 PM

I might be a bit biased, but if you want a small, practical and easy to maintain van, try to find a decent Escort van. Great little buses, surprisingly spacious and something a bit different. Problem is finding one that is half decent. Most are close to death by now.

CHEETR · 02-10-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duaned

Gee, I have seen them selling for $29,000 on road! To the OP, I say go for a diesel where ever possible. They are very reliable motors, no ignition to worry about, and great on mileage. Go for a Hiace diesel, Mercedes diesel etc. But stay away from Mitsi Express's, Ford Econovan's, Mazda E2000's etc.

still waiting to see where you have seen them for that! i'd love to know who is making a 3k loss on a brand new hiace!

**Polyal** · 02-10-2009, 10:49 AM

Ive always entertained the thought that if i ever owned my own business id buy an old X series panel van and use that, and claim as much back as possible as you restore/fix it up!

So my vote goes for a proper X series Pvan, XB/XC or XD/XE, they are still around for reasonable money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSgerry

I might be a bit biased, but if you want a small, practical and easy to maintain van, try to find a decent Escort van. Great little buses, surprisingly spacious and something a bit different. Problem is finding one that is half decent. Most are close to death by now.

Or that, maybe even the original transit van would be cool

Swordie · 02-10-2009, 05:48 PM

What;s your budget?

XF Panelvan. Falcon ute with canopy (eg AU Series).

Swordie · 02-10-2009, 05:48 PM

What's your budget?

XF Panelvan. Falcon ute with canopy (eg AU Series).

GS608 · 02-10-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

still waiting to see where you have seen them for that! i'd love to know who is making a 3k loss on a brand new hiace!

whats with the aggressive attitude dude? u simply won't get a response if you act and talk like that.

what about an oldish (mid 90's) triton ute with one of those large boxes on the back (like the food vans?) they're pretty reliable trucks

if you really want a van though you can't go past an old hiace

CHEETR · 02-10-2009, 10:05 PM

xr-chief

no attitude, i just dont like being made out to be a liar with facts that are not true from a member trying to big note himself.

i know his yanking his own chain.. and i also know i wont get a responce because he was simply spinnning crap to shoot me down.

and i find that pretty poor considering i have posted a price to help a member on here that I KNOW is cost price..

RSgerry · 02-10-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Or that, maybe even the original transit van would be cool

that would be awesome. a much forgotten vehicle, but they looked brilliant. V4 motors were rubbish, but finding one of these, in any condition, wont be easy. good luck....

fatxagt · 03-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Stay away from the Kia Pregio. I had 4 of them and once they hit 100,000 everything went wrong. Repairs were costly.

BPXR6T · 03-10-2009, 03:53 PM

I use an old XH van as my beat around car at the moment. Can't kill the thing. Cheap too. I got it for $3200 with RWC and 12 months rego.

Kryton · 03-10-2009, 04:57 PM

Suzuki Carry.
enough said.