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Post by vegagirl on Mar 24, 2010 19:56:00 GMT
I'm asking you lot this as you're chaps (mainly) with good enough taste to own scooters, so you may be able to help with my dilemma of what decent-looking 2nd hand vehicle to get. I'm looking for an economical very small van, or a decent sized car you can put the seats down easily for carrying stuff, as I'm hoping to do some freelance events work which could involve carting stuff around. But somehow I can't see myself as white van woman, or in a car that looks like a standard company car, or a family estate. Can't afford anything really classic like a mini pick-up, or a vintage VW or an old landrover....My budget is about £2k. Any ideas on anything that looks half decent I know little about cars except those that a hairdresser may drive ;D
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Post by swallow on Mar 24, 2010 20:11:46 GMT
hey Sarah - many moons ago I was forced to drive a renault kangoo van - not my choice looks wise & fair to say I got the piss taken by my mates quite a lot. This van was on a 3 year contract hire. I tried sooooooo hard to kill it, hoping to then be able to choose a replacement but the little bastard just wouldn't die. Driven like it was stolen for three years & had no problems with it whatsoever.
moral of this story? Kangoo is quite a tough little van & also don't go buying ex-contract hire vehicles unless you know who has been driving them.
Next had a VW Transporter - lovely vehicle After that a Renault Traffic 1.9Dci - also lovely vehicle
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Post by Juan on Mar 24, 2010 20:11:58 GMT
What about something like this? A garage local to me was selling one for £1,250 not that long ago, might still even be there. You could also look at Triumph Herald estates if something like that appeals, both of them are fairly simple to work on and spares are reasonably priced.
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Post by triffid on Mar 24, 2010 20:22:12 GMT
2CV van anyone? How about an old ambulance or ice cream van? Trouble with really old vans is just that, they're really old. And while an old car will probably only be used now and again, if you want to use an old van for modern use they will struggle. Mk 1 Transit is class and has pedigree but they go for a fair price nowadays. Old Land Rover perhaps?
Actually, for 2 grand I reckon you should be able to get a half decent Tuk Tuk or Ape.
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Post by teamwoodspeed52 on Mar 24, 2010 21:57:37 GMT
Sarah, im a courier and my old peugeot partner had 232000 miles when i sold it that was the 2.0 hdi brill little van , big enough for either my piaggio zip or vespa 90ss. even slept in the back acouple of times. Got a 1.6 hdi partner now not quite got the balls of the 2.0 but better round town on the juice. The citron belingo is the same van just differant badge. hope this helps.
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Post by Perkin on Mar 24, 2010 23:03:38 GMT
You want a VW of some description; a Caddy or Golf Pickup maybe? search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/vans/advert+search/N-244,Ne-7-8-27-64-105-133-146-236/advert.action?R=201010354501084&distance=18&postcode=sk22+2hq&channel=VANS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=1989&vehicleRegLetter=G&make_keyword=VOLKSWAGEN&model_keyword=golf
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Post by vegagirl on Mar 24, 2010 23:14:17 GMT
Some good ideas there thanks ;D keep em coming. Will research autotrader. What is that quirky thing Juan? Problem with anything too old is rust cos I ain't got a garage and live by the sea...
A saloon car may be big enough if there's enough room with the seats down, it's just that I've been used to a 2-seater for the last 5 years. Have always found 2nd hand VW and Toyota engines to be reliable.
In my other job, I have to visit offices, hotels and other businesses to persuade them to spend money on training up their employees...so I need something that looks OK for that too...
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Post by Juan on Mar 24, 2010 23:26:52 GMT
Ford Anglia 105E estate. The Heralds and Vitesse's use fiberglass bonnet sections that flip up completely so engine access etc is piss simple and very basic to work on. If you manage to get a Vitesse the straight 6, 2 liter is still quite spritely and usable today. Talk to Czechmate, he knows a bit about them old girls.
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Post by vegagirl on Mar 25, 2010 0:05:25 GMT
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Post by Perkin on Mar 25, 2010 10:09:25 GMT
On a Herald, 1st gear & reverse are the same ratio, apparently. Must have saved them a couple of shillings, though!
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Post by motovespa on Mar 25, 2010 11:50:01 GMT
How about a Piaggio Porter? Cheers, Rog
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Post by OliMonster on Mar 25, 2010 23:56:36 GMT
Bit more expensive, but if you'd consider it, an Audi A4 estate is massive in the back, and it looks pretty damn smart as well, if a bit conservative. We have a 2004 1.9 TDi with 4 wheel drive and it certainly copes very nicely with hacking around little country lanes. Super-reliable, too...
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Post by swallow on Mar 25, 2010 23:58:52 GMT
Bit more expensive, but if you'd consider it, an Audi A4 estate is massive in the back, and it looks pretty damn smart as well, if a bit conservative. We have a 2004 1.9 TDi with 4 wheel drive and it certainly copes very nicely with hacking around little country lanes. Super-reliable, too... Oli - you forget you have to be a cock to drive an audi
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Post by swallow on Mar 26, 2010 0:05:13 GMT
yourself(ves) excepted of course
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Post by scooteristforever on Mar 26, 2010 0:18:59 GMT
you know it makes sense sarah.......... only 20K... love air cooled dubs....... to be honest i think your best bet will be something modern... cars can be cheap nowadays.... my local scrapyard had a 52 plate Ford Mundano in the other week.... its owner had weighed it in for £85 because it failed its M.O.T so badly... much to the amusement of me and scrapyard Fred...... welding galore needed (we live at the salty seaside too : good luck with your searching... Col
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Post by triffid on Mar 26, 2010 9:37:45 GMT
Do you still get Bedford Rascals? Look a bit like that Piaggio number. VW Golf estate should suit your needs though, reliable and hold their price if you decide to get rid, cost more in th efirst place though.
Have you considered leasing? You can get some good eals on little vans and some include all servicing and stuff. And if it breaks down they should give you another one. You may be able to claim the cost of it back as a business expense if you're self employed.
What type of training do you do?
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Post by vegagirl on May 20, 2010 12:06:07 GMT
Thanks for all the ideas. The events job fell through, I spent days working up my proposal for it, but rumour has it it was a done deal all along So I don't need a small van at the moment, though I quite fancy a little jeep, but don't want to pay extra on tax...hopefully my 20 yr old 'hairdresser's ride' will pass its MOT but the rust is a constant worry ...anyone know of a decent welder and sprayer near Sussex that won't charge the earth? Right I'm off to cut up an old inner tube to try & stop my scoot exhaust falling off. PS Triffid, I'm not a trainer myself, but I work for the local college.
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Post by discodave on May 20, 2010 18:39:07 GMT
where about's in sussex are you its a big county?
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Post by vegagirl on May 29, 2010 8:08:07 GMT
I'm in sunny Hastings, let me know if you'd recommend any sprayers fairly local - willing to travel for a good un
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Post by simon on May 31, 2010 12:21:29 GMT
What about one of these, (Renault traffic 1982) cheap tax cheap to insure and cheap to run 1.4 engine And no I didn’t put the series 2 in it going to Kelso ;D
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