New car/van?

[Nic]

2.5m but that doesn’t account for depth of boot trim or angle of seat back.

[Gavin]

2.5m but that doesn’t account for depth of boot trim or angle of seat back.

Ah, perfect, more than long enough for a bike or two! Many Thanks, just need to wait until restrictions lift to flog the Bongo and find one that is nearish!

[John]

If you do buy a Viano/Vito just remember that they are hopeless in the snow, easily the worst thing I have driven in snowy conditions. I did think about fitting snow tyres but I'm not sure how much difference they'd make to a pretty much empty RWD van.

[simon_g]

The Bongo is about the worst of the import MPVs for rust.

I'd stick with imports though, the later full size MPVs (Elgrand, Alphard, etc) are excellent for leisure/dayvan sort of use, have niceties like like proper AC in the rear, opening windows, electric sliding doors, folding/swivel seats etc. Just get a fresh or recently imported one and get it undersealed properly.

With 10k to play with I'd have an Elgrand any day.

[Nic]

If you do buy a Viano/Vito just remember that they are hopeless in the snow, easily the worst thing I have driven in snowy conditions. I did think about fitting snow tyres but I'm not sure how much difference they'd make to a pretty much empty RWD van.

Viano is heavier at the back with the extra seats in, you can slide one bench pretty much over the rear wheels.

[Gavin]

The Bongo is about the worst of the import MPVs for rust.

I'd stick with imports though, the later full size MPVs (Elgrand, Alphard, etc) are excellent for leisure/dayvan sort of use, have niceties like like proper AC in the rear, opening windows, electric sliding doors, folding/swivel seats etc. Just get a fresh or recently imported one and get it undersealed properly.

With 10k to play with I'd have an Elgrand any day.

I probably would were it not for the woeful MPG. I had read about the Viano/Vito being awful on wet grass or any slippery surface but we would have a second vehicle for snow days etc but yes if I could have an Elgrand with a decent diesel engine or even a 2l turbo petrol with 30mpg achievable I would probably go for that despite parts costs and insurance etc.

[simon_g]

It's about a grand extra per 10k miles to have a 20mpg petrol vs 35mpg diesel. Lower tax too, and ULEZ compliant if it's 2007 or later.

[Nic]

My viano is terrible on fuel, granted it needs a thermostat so is probably still on the warm up cycle but it averages 22mpg.

[Nathan]

Depends how many seats you want in it I guess, I’ll measure the interior length when I get a minute. I waited and looked for a while before getting this, it was originally for sale for £4700 (I think) then it dropped down to £3600 after 3-4 weeks and I eventually paid £3k for it.

It’s quite low spec, just auto, leather, air con and cruise and only two individual front seats (total of eight) which is what I wanted, sunroofs and electric sliding doors would be great but more to go wrong and I have the other cars to use daily.

I know you've done it before, but these sorts of things make much more sense at a few grand than spanking £30k+ on a new T6

[Nic]

Depends how many seats you want in it I guess, I’ll measure the interior length when I get a minute. I waited and looked for a while before getting this, it was originally for sale for £4700 (I think) then it dropped down to £3600 after 3-4 weeks and I eventually paid £3k for it.

It’s quite low spec, just auto, leather, air con and cruise and only two individual front seats (total of eight) which is what I wanted, sunroofs and electric sliding doors would be great but more to go wrong and I have the other cars to use daily.

I know you've done it before, but these sorts of things make much more sense at a few grand than spanking £30k+ on a new T6

With hindsight I agree, I may trade up to a slightly smarter once I’ve sold the other Vito.

[Gavin]

It's about a grand extra per 10k miles to have a 20mpg petrol vs 35mpg diesel. Lower tax too, and ULEZ compliant if it's 2007 or later.

I am probably guilty of falling into the same camp as the muppets who buy a new Golf/focus every 3 years because the tax is cheaper and it does an extra 2mpg! As things stand I don't do many miles at all. Even after lockdown I doubt I will do 10k a year.

I shall probably wait until I know what I am doing job wise before making the final decision.

My worry is I decide to go visit my folks 200 miles there, 200 miles back and end up taking the Volvo as it is comfy and does 60mpg or so on a run.

See also, my wife's parents 365 miles there, or various other relatives who live at least a 350 miles round trip away.

I think I may be getting to the point IJDLFC

[Gwaredd]

If you do buy a Viano/Vito just remember that they are hopeless in the snow, easily the worst thing I have driven in snowy conditions. I did think about fitting snow tyres but I'm not sure how much difference they'd make to a pretty much empty RWD van.

The V250 we hired for our trip to Andorra proved this, despite being 6 up (4 in the rear). The mearest hint of snow on the road meant in ground to a halt within a few hundred yards up a slight incline. We had to retreat, slither down and buy snowchains from a Cafe (obviously). Other than that, it was easily the best van derived people carrier I've ever driven. Expensive mind!