Question about vans

[Jules]

That was a bargain Mark!

[marky]

Originally Posted by whyme38

That was a bargain Mark!

they are cheap and they run great we bought ours for camping

and theres one in the manchester loot now
here http://www.loot.com/rs6/cl.asp?actio...07&ss=-1&sms=0

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Saxodriver

a 405 estate would be perfect but finding one which can deliver, and for a top end cost of £500 with MOT tax is hard work.

Mainly because I am after a diesel.

Try BX's then

[AndrewJ]

Ya know never thought of them old bangers.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

How about a 405 estate then?
I'd say a Citroen BX, but then you have the hydrolics to think about if they go wrong or need servicing soon, although if carrying a load, or people who can't bend easily, it's very handy.
There's also the Citroen Xantia, again with hydrolics.

If the Oleopnumatic green balls look in good nick then the suspension is highly unlikely to go wrong.

[Chimaera]

Well whatever you get please make sure they are restrained in some way - either in a crate or with a harness secured by a 2 or 3 point seat belt. I've actually seen a dog (Alsatian, on the M11) who survived a crash, in spite of being thrown through the windscreen, but killed as it ran out into the road in panic.
Mine has one of these and she won't go in the car without it now.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

If the Oleopnumatic green balls look in good nick then the suspension is highly unlikely to go wrong.

It neads servicing every 90,000 miles or so if memory serves which can be a bit pricey, and you can have the balls re-gassed, but that won't last as long as replacement.
Advantages are:
Stability if you have a blow out
Low chance of engine fire; it's diesel and the LHM doesn't burn
Excellent if you have people with reduced mobility as you can raise the car up to help them in and out.
Great in floods as you can raise the car up (tho don't go fast into deep puddles as the air intake is down behind the front passenger fog light on the Xantia and you can flood your engine literally, although mine survived this)
Very handy if your auto matic garage door gets stuck halfway up as you can lower the suspension and get under (as demonstrated in an old citroen advert)

[Raistlin]

I've got a Xantia and just had the hydraulics sorted (new spheres all round, now fluid), cost me £254.62 inc VAT.

[Halcyon]

I personally think you are going to find it hard getting a decent van for that price and if you do get a cheap one you are bound to run into problems later on as it will be old. This will add tonnes of money in repairs.
Ideally a second hand kangoo would be good as Orange mentioned, from a garage that has it fully serviced and where it is in perfect road condition. Or go for a car instead. Spending a bit more will ensure you dont have any problems later on.

[AndrewJ]

True, would love a 1997 styled Rover 400 TD, driving one on lessons and is a lovely engine to learn in and bobble about town.

May have to go finance on a newer one ( about 1999 to 2002 ) just for reliability, everyone call's Rover but they are used for cabs near me, and are hammered and nothing breaks?

[Jules]

When are you taking your driving test Saxo?

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Advantages are:
Stability if you have a blow out

Very true, I've been in a CX that had a blow out at 70+ on the M2, tyre was shredded by the time we stopped, but stability was intact. Wouldn't have wanted to be in a traditionally suspended car when that happened.

[Halcyon]

Sounds like a good idea. Check out several different garages and also on the internet.

[marky]

to be honest i wouldnt have a citreon if it was free

they are good cars until something goes wrong then its time to break out the gold card

[SMHarman]

Not any more, they are as un gold card like as a Peugeot.