Would appreciate help in buying a van.

Kitsune9tails

I'm starting up my own little gardening business and I need a little van, like a Renault Kangoo or a Citroen Berlingo.

I don't have much money, about 2g's and I'm just wondering whats good mileage for a van of that price?
Also what other van related buying tips can you give?

Thanks :cool:

R.O.R

If you can stretch your budget, and bargain with a dealer a bit then something like THIS would be ideal for you.

There are loads of them around at the moment so that should help you get a deal price wise, they will have a very comprehensive full service history (and they will have been well looked after, service wise). It's also Green which will fit your gardening business.

Kitsune9tails

Thanks that looks good and it gives me a good basis to begin with. I really have to try and keep to the budget though cuz then theres the insurance and road tax etc.

Donal199

Some dirt cheap partners and berlingos up north, and its only 50 euro to change the plates

cantdecide

We have FIAT Doblos at work. They're one of the most under-rated vans on the road.

colm_mcm

R.O.R wrote: »

If you can stretch your budget, and bargain with a dealer a bit then something like.........

36000 miles is small for a 06, but It'd be a lot of stop-start driving.

R.O.R

colm_mcm wrote: »

36000 miles is small for a 06, but It'd be a lot of stop-start driving.

But it will probably have had the clutch replaced at least once already! I was at the leasing company that looked after these, when the tender came in. The servicing on these vans is at half the time of the manufacturer's recommended intervals. Even down to stuff like door hinges - how many open/shut's should they last for. If it's 4,000 then the hinge gets replaced at 2,000.

the merchant

colm_mcm wrote: »

36000 miles is small for a 06, but It'd be a lot of stop-start driving.

An Post per chance??

R.O.R

the merchant wrote: »

An Post per chance??

Deffo - that's why there are loads of the little green monsters around. Were all replaced this year and the massive amount available used has killed the value of them.

the merchant

I actually saw one break down in Whitehall, Dublin last week. Overheating with a loud knocking moise coming from the engine - OUCH.

balcan

For your kind of work i'd be looking at a Citroen dispatch type van.Fit 2 wheel barrows side by side no problem where in a berlingo you'd be lucky to get 2 in stacked.And 2 side loading doors are a god send.1.9 slow but bullet proof,2.0 hdi plenty power but more to go wrong.Just bought a 02 Dispatch hdi for 2k,Needs new tank fuel pump but other wise a nice van.It's hard to find a secondhand van that has not been dogged.Good luck with the new business.

Gurgle

Kitsune9tails wrote: »

I'm starting up my own little gardening business and I need a little van, like a Renault Kangoo or a Citroen Berlingo.

I'd say step it up to a Transit SWB.
They're cheap to buy and run, they last more or less forever, and you could probably use the space for carting around a lawnmower / wheelbarrow / decking timber / whatever / all of the above.

balcan

Maybe something like this.Central locking a must with 6 doors.Mine has none and a right pain in the arse.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1348016

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

36000 miles is small for a 06, but It'd be a lot of stop-start driving.

If my local postman is anything to go by I'd avoid them. He revs the crap out of his Ford Connect, going from house to house he speeds up, then slams on the brakes outside the next house which is only 100 meters away. Slams it into reverse then when he has to find his way out of the cul de sac. I'm expecting to find the gearbox on the road one of these days.

slavetothegrind

As already said if you do go berlingo stick with the 1.9, it is far more reliable.
I has one!
Got mine recently. 78k, clean 05, 2500 euro.

There are definitely bargains out there.

cantdecide

We have a SWB Low roof Ducato and equivalent transit with 2.0 engines that are absolutely brilliant machines. They'll do everything you want and lots more. There are tons of sizes and shapes to choose from that could work out far better for no greater commitment.

This kind of thing.

Saab Ed

cantdecide wrote: »

We have a SWB Low roof Ducato and equivalent transit with 2.0 engines that are absolutely brilliant machines.

... Because they're PSA ( peugeot /Citroen ) diesels

cantdecide

Saab Ed wrote: »

... Because they're PSA ( peugeot /Citroen ) diesels

Ya, and far nicer to live with than the Ford, IMO