Cars, cars, cars...
Comments
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Aside from the VW Transporter (which would be my preference by a country mile), the Peugeot Boxer is a handy van. Crew cab?
seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Had a colleague who twisted over this for nearly a year with similar requirements to yourself, although he was wanting some work done to make it more of a comfortable over-nighter. He ended up with a Nissan NV200.
Although there is an electric version I think the range is pretty miserable and you'd need to pack a generator to escape the DG postal area. My Mum had the 1.5 diesel in a different model and it is was awesome (for a diesel).
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Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
That one is priced at £9k. I don't know what your budget is.
The Caddy max is a good alternative to the Transporter. You get the build quality and not quite the same asking price. Caddy Max's have a bulkhead behind the drivers seat which is easily removed if need be. There are plenty of 5 seater Caddy Max's.
ALL Fords since the wonderful Duratorq engine have pressed cam lobes. and newer one's have a 'wet' timing belt (nothing but trouble). This is perplexing for the mechanically minded. They have a tendency (if not really looked after and never laboured), to shift on the camshaft and bugger engines. I really wish Ford hadn't gone down that route and although the incidence is not that often, when it happens, you'll need a very expensive repair or another engine.
These pressed cam lobes are omnipresent in many modern engines unfortunately but Ford one's are seemingly more fickle especially with mileage over 120k. This will give you the colly wobbles as you get nearer that mark if you intend to keep it long term. Duratorq engines were renowned for doing quarter of a million miles.
Left field is the Mitsubishi Delica (if you can put up with the eclectic styling). Fantastic engines. Citroen Dispatch's are okay but I really don't like the extra protruding front end.
I would keep an eye out for the BAC auctions in Newport and find yourself an ex AA Transporter. They are all well looked after and are surprisingly sold with only 80 - 100k on the clock. Opt for the 2 litre TSi petrol engines which is quieter and better for short journeys. There are single turbo and bi-turbo diesel options. Both good. Older DSG auto's can be expensive units to repair. Pay heed.
seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Thanks. It’s more of a medium to long term idea at present. I’d rather wait a bit and have a bigger budget. Up until a few months ago we had a garage across the road that only sold vans. I’m not surprised it eventually closed, they were there a few years and initially started with a load of what looked like ex-RAC and British Gas vans and I’m not sure any sold. I also need to work out if I want to go with a commercial van or a van derived car with the different classes for MOT etc. I definitely want proper seats rather than benches.
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Possibly being a bit thick but for overnights in a camper outside of Scotland arent you limited to campsites, other people's kids and other people's manners?
Fwiw since COVID the camper van crowd in Scotland is getting more hostility as well. The locals see it as taking money out of the local economy, closer to the central belt it tends to be partying neds ruining beauty spots.
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Technically I think you’re right but you get plenty of people stopping overnight in quiet car parks or lay-bys. I was in the Beacons on August Bank Holiday taking photos and the verge along the dam at Talybont reservoir was full of camper vans. That would just be a minor side benefit anyway, somewhere to have a few hours rest while the camera is busy.
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And they shit behind the nearby trees and leave toilet paper everywhere. Their dogs do the same but usually on the paths and without toilet paper.
Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
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Good news, Mercedes has listened to their customers, seen sense and brought back the big AMG V8 for some of their cars, having previously ditched it for a 4 pot and a battery. Which didn't sell very well at all.
Seems like quite a few car companies are doing similar
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]0
