Thinking about a van

[Rubberchicken]

To put things into perspective; 14 years ago back in 2008,

Speaking of 2008... In 2008, 20 quid got me a hotel room.

 

[austin]

I went to “see” the van advertised on autotrader (£42k). The vans advertised don’t actually exist. It’s a van lease company that buy up loads of vans direct from Ford for leasing and then spec them to customer’s requirements. They sell a few as well as leasing. Basically there was a huge yard full of mainly Transit panel vans of various spec waiting for a customer to lease or buy one. They add body kits, interiors etc to meet requirements. Which was good as I could more or less have what I wanted, although their “Inferno” spec in a mid ranged “limited spec” 130bhp van was just about spot on for me. Loads of good tech, comfort and driver aids in the “limited spec” van - more than most cars, simple body kit & wheel upgrade, side windows, tip/tumble second row seating, bulkhead removed and van lined and insulated. Pre-reg in December with remainder of Ford warranty. £32,245 plus vat was where we got to on an L2H1 converted to my spec (well mostly). They did have a couple of customer vans in and the did look good. Bike will easily fit in a an L2 with the centre seat out and the other two tumbled out the way.

But, the base vehicle is and remains a panel van, so one side door and not much in the way of comforts for second row seating - very upright, no heating or opening windows. Plus as the company is primarily a lease company the van has to stay on their books for a year - the V5 stays in their name until then even though I would be the legal owner. A bit unsettling that, along with the huge amount of money. Ho hum. What to do????

 

[-XP-]

Plus as the company is primarily a lease company the van has to stay on their books for a year - the V5 stays in their name until then even though I would be the legal owner. A bit unsettling that, along with the huge amount of money. Ho hum. What to do????

Yeah, right O! Fuuuck that!

 

[outrunner]

Walk away, walk away!

Andy.

 

[austin]

Yeah, right O! Fuuuck that!

that’s what I thought at first. The explanation was that Ford sells them the van for the purpose of leasing them to business users, and specifically not for sale to individuals. Otherwise they (Bury van centre) could undercut main dealers on direct sales. To get round this they up-spec the base vans (Inferno & Inferno-X body and interior kits), and hang onto the V5 until the van is over a year old. They will give me a letter for the insurance co and a document authorising indefinite use abroad. He said it’s an administration nightmare and they are keen to transfer to the rightful keeper asap. Tbh it seemed legit, but it’s off putting.

I also decided if I was to be spending £30k plus I want it be right and the absence of opening windows, no right side passenger door and the crappy rear seats put me off. I want either a Kombi van or a Double cab in van as the base vehicle. I think I’ll buy one later in the year and add my mods as I work out what works for me.

 

[Stuart D]

Hi Austin, if you Google ms-rt.com they do a similar thing but for Ford themselves, they also reconstruct the VW Transporter Sportline. It's a company based on the same estate where I park my truck. the standard Transits & Transporters arrive either as vans or kombis on steel wheels, cloth seats but with led headlights & stereo upgrades and leave £15k more with sexy wheels, bodykit & leather seats. If a standard kombi doesn't float your boat buy a standard panel van and make it yours, there's quality installers of windows, seats, etc around the country. It boils down to resale with a VW, buy a factory Kombi and it will always sell for good money, convert one and that's what it will always be, the money you save will be the shortfall on the resale. don't get me wrong you can hemorrhage money after buying a VW (I know).
Good luck

 

[austin]

So, I took a really nice Transit Double cab in Van out for test drive. Nice spec, low miles, priced right but with a poor advert (for a dealer) that classed and described the van wrongly. Hmmm, not overly impressed. It drove well enough but despite all the claims of being car like, they aren’t a car. Easy to drive sure, but a bit noisier, a bit bouncier, not so good handling, and it seemed huuuuge to me. Nevertheless we had a bit of a haggle and settled on prices with and without my Ford Kuga as p/x. I slept on it but in the morning I decided a van is not for me. It was just the thought of such a big vehicle as a daily drive that put me off. I don’t want the extra hassle of parking and other slight restrictions that come with a van. Plus I’m buying it for only half a dozen ocassions a year when I will need the utilities of a van.

We decided it would be easier and cheaper (ha ha) to buy a Moto lug trailer and upgrade the Kuga. So we’ve spent the last few days car shopping and today put a deposit down on a used but low mileage high spec Volvo XC40. I’m quite excited. Next job, find a good used Moto lug trailer.

 

[nick949]

Although I've been a 'van-guy' in the past (mostly because of work) and I actually enjoy driving them on our roads, I think you made a wise decision. For the number of times you'll want to carry the bike, the Motolug is a great idea. Otherwise you're just hauling around extra weight and space. Good luck with your new purchase.
.

 

[Dee Dub]

I suspect that's the best solution. I too fancy the idea of owning a van, but even my slightly-wide car can be awkward enough in some situations, and a Transit is much wider still.

that’s what I thought at first. The explanation was that Ford sells them the van for the purpose of leasing them to business users, and specifically not for sale to individuals. <snip> Tbh it seemed legit, but it’s off putting

I think the rule of thumb is, if someone wants to hide an action, it probably isn't legit (unless there is a very good explanation). The phrase "specifically not for sale to individuals" is hardly a good explanation; in fact the very opposite.