Hello,
Im on the look out for a cheap van/car for my bike!
I gave up driving a few months ago because its just too expensive to drive, so even thou im going against what i said a few months ago i want a cheap van/car just for the weekends for using the bike.
dont really want to spend more than 2k on a motor, so my question is can i get a half decent motor for this or am i wasting my time looking.
thanks
How many bikes do you want to carry?
For one or two bikes, Fiat Doblo. Mine's one of the most useful things that I own.
Rent what you need, when you need it?
I had an Espace - it was great. A Fiat Multipla - more useful as a car, not so great but ok (no bike dismantling). Currently on a Transit van - just perfect.
Honda shuttle good bike car, all the rear seats either come out or fold flat but thirsty on petrol
I just got a Berlingo. fantastic car/van. I can get 4 bikes and People inside. 1600 quid for a 2002 model.
bruders338 - Memberdont really want to spend more than 2k on a motor, so my question is can i get a half decent motor for this or am i wasting my time looking.
Course you can. Obviously you can also get a total heap for that much if you're not careful but you could get a decent car for half that, no bother. Psst, want to buy a Ford Focus 1.8TDDI estate? 
Depending on how much you want to lug around, and for how far, loads of choice but hard to argue with Mondeos IMO.
You can get a lot of car for £2k these days and with modern technology it will do you good service. As per other posters I'd look seriously at renting, if you book in advance you can get some very good deals.
1.2 corsa/fiesta/saxo/106, any cheap to run car and stick bike rack on back, schimples
I bought a Volvo V70 for £1100, 3 bikes and people plus camping gear all inside, 30mpg on a run.
Does anyone have a transit connect as a bike van?
Ford Transit, LWB, Med High with Bed and bench seat (Camper Van matress) can throw in jack, table and couple of camp chairs and an electrical hook up line, insulated.... £750
Takes 5 Bikes and loads of gear
I bought a 1986 Audi 100 which runs on LPG for the bikes. Plus as its also over 20 years old I can insure it as a classic car for only £50 a year with unlimited mileage.
Before that I had a Saab 900 which was also insured as a classic, cost £200 and went like stink. Even with the sloping roof, the boot in the Saab is HUGE and can easily fit 2 bikes with the wheels on.
Regret getting rid of the Saab as it was such a good drive but the lure of LPG at 67p a litre tempted me too much.
Whilst the Audi is pretty rare there are equivalents out there.
I did have a transit connect swb was bit short to fit full bike in but I just took the front wheel off and clamped the forks down with a qr clamp from crc £30 for 2 got two bike in nice but had to sell because they are so thirsty on fuel! And insurance is very expensive for vans
my mitsi delica these are good weekend away bike vans
im also thinking of selling it soon as i realy dont need anything this big anymore.
I picked up a x reg Skoda Octavia slxi estate for £900 with 12months mot&tax. Handles brilliantly, fast as,3 bikes, 3 people plus kit. Not too bad on fuel about 45mpg. It's perfect for the job. Leather interior is wipe clean too!
Does anyone have a transit connect as a bike van?
Yep? I got a Connect HiRoof - not strictly a "bike van" as I bought it for work. But still. I think its great. Any questions let me know.
Also - to the OP - before this I bought older Japanese hatchbacks - Primera, Avensis,... that are far from fashionable, dirt cheap (I'd spend around £1k-£2k on them with 50-60K one owner) and boringly reliable (in petrol variants) and easily fit 2 or 3 bikes in. That would be my main choice if I had to carry family etc occasionally.
Bruders - I am selling a 2005 berlingo in the classifieds for a bit over your budget at £2900ono (negotiable!) but it's brilliant nick and great for bikes, huge inside and tough/reliable and really cheap to run and insure. 91k of smooth motorway miles, but full documented service history and runs great, only owned by me and well looked after. As it is a 2.0 HDi it will run forever - it's a great engine.
Even if you don't buy mine, buy a Berlingo - avoid the petrol (fast but costs a lot more) or 1.9 (tough but very slow) and go for the 2.0 or 1.6 HDi
If it was my money I'd go for that 2005 berlingo ^^^
mr brightside, how do you find the deli to live with day-to-day? I love those things, I think probably I should stick with a more standard people carrier but I'd love one on stilts 
I saw one with a pop-top camper conversion a while back, mmmmmm.
northwind, ive had the delica about 4 years and its been good to me great for summer camping and also fun when the snow is on the ground as you can put it in 4x4 mode i dont use it every day as ive also got a motorbike for cheap comuting,as you say they do like nice when there jacked up i dont realy want to sell it but cant justify keeping it so would probably let it go if £800 cash was waved at me.
Hmm. Not to derail the thread, but wherabouts are you?
I've got a 51 plate Vito Dualiner type, 5 seater (2 front and 3 removable rear) ideal for weekends away, £2450
Taunton , somerset
It's possible that could be a worse location but not by very much. Thanks anyway!
£1k will get a mega-decent exec-saloon or SUV (not using it much, so fuel won't be an issue) c/w towbar, put a Pendle 4-bike rack on - sorted.
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