I'm thinking of getting a van as my next car, because I trade as a limited company, and its much cheaper tax wise.
Its only for getting to and from work, as my mrs has a nice company car we use for everything else.
Its got to be able to tow 900+kg, and basically be as car like as possible to be in and reasonable on fuel(I do about 16Kpa). Our daughter is coming up for 17, so she'll probably learn it it.
Whats the best one to get?
Astra van, Escort or fiesta van, peugeot etc. Anything escecially well known to break or good or bad fuel econony?

Thanks for any information
Regards
Hugh

Probably to big,

I am soon to swap my Renault traffic, well know for gearbox problems after 80k miles, mine as a recon fitted 8k miles ago, the good bit, its petrol/lpg, if anyone in the London area is after a van this will be perfect especially if you need to drive inside the "smog zone"

Ford & Vauxhall both have had factory dual fuel Petrol-LGP vans on the market although the running costs are low these are best avoided as they were very poorly supported by the manufacturer and very few people know how to service these factory fit LPG system.

Aftermarket LPG systems are a different issue.

[Edited on 17/5/11 by britishtrident]

VW Caddy Sportline would have to be my choice if money were not a major concern.

I have a transit connect for sale. Its an excellent little van and very car-like. Does 62mpg when driven sensibly, but never does less than 48mpg. Its a 07 model and the cheaper to insure 1.8tdci. Best offer over £4k gets it! U2U me if you're intetested, even if you just want to have a look to see if s Connect would suit your needs.

think you will have to have a good look at towing weights, smaller vans i don't think will cut it.

i have a transit 2L swb tcdi 100ps fwd i get 35 mpg (my van is always empty and i drive it slow),i would say you wont get more than 38mpg from any full size van and if drive fast it will go down to 25mpg or less,i stick with ford as they are cheep for parts and there are loads of secondhand parts on ebay ans scrapyards.

VW Caddy

Its towing capacity is much greater than anything else in its class.

I had renault Kangoo for years great on fuel nice to drive. Not the simplest to work on but ok. Changed to transit connect.
Far more room but not as good on fuel. Might be on the limit towing wise.

i have a 03 kangoo 1.5 td very good all round van now running more boost lol goes ok also tows me imp all over no worry s

Service history is vital with Renault diesels, must show regular oil changes preferably at shorter intervals than Renault specify and using fully synthertic oil. If run with anything other than fully synth in the sump they are very prone to turbo blow ups destroying the engine. The 1.5 Dci is significantly less prone to death by turbo than the bigger Renault-Nissan Tdi engines.

[Edited on 17/5/11 by britishtrident]

If I get you right and you essentially want a car with no back windows then the Astra van is probably you best bet as it's the most car like. A mate had one and said it was pretty much the same as his Astra Estate drive wise, and I think the look nice aswell. Plenty of spares around aswell because It's an astra and it's so popular.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll probably get a new one through the company and run it as my company vehicle for a few years then sell it to myself. I've got a test drive booked in the astra today and will try the vw caddy before I decide.
Cheers
Hugh

Just out of interest, when you say "less tax" do you mean the Road Fund Licence tax or some other one?

quote:

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Originally posted by Ninehigh
Just out of interest, when you say "less tax" do you mean the Road Fund Licence tax or some other one?

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quote:

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Originally posted by owelly
I have a transit connect for sale. Its an excellent little van and very car-like. Does 62mpg when driven sensibly, but never does less than 48mpg. Its a 07 model and the cheaper to insure 1.8tdci. Best offer over £4k gets it! U2U me if you're intetested, even if you just want to have a look to see if s Connect would suit your needs.

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