So…while I wait for my refund on the Merc I am left back at square 1 with no car and my current car is falling apart.

Am now thinking I should go for a cheaper car and a van.

Van I am thinking Relay/Boxxer/Ducato or maybe a VW/Sprinter and getting a nice LWB or longer and going a camper conversion that can also still be useful for lugging farm stuff and house build stuff (doing a self build).

Car I am not sure. Maybe a lifestyle estate (C class, A4, octavia etc) or maybe a warmish hatch (eg A3 170 tdi or TFSI quattro).

Combined budget of around £11-12k not including the conversion costs.

Daily commute is 60-70 miles. I would like something sporty but the day to day car needs to be suitable for a dog, occasional work stuff, MTB inside (wheels off fine) etc etc. Did look at a TT’s as they are cheap but it seems a bit too “mid life crisis”.

I’ll not suggest vehicles so much as we all have our own preferences.

What I will say is we went through this last year and ended with a SWB medium roof Transit and a 2 seater convertible and it’s been effing brilliant 🙂

Daily mileage is a lot lower than yours.

hmm, last night was looking at T5’s again but just so expensive for rubbish ones.

What age transit and come on, what convertible did you get? 😀

Also looked at Audi A3’s. MPG and performance doesnt seem great and lack of any things like LCD nav screen.

Out of curiosity I did look at the older E-class in V6 diesel form. MPG obviously not as good as the newer one and tax of £300 vs £150 but half the price. Would be at least £500 a year more to run but lower depreciation

For a van, take a look at the Hyundai I800. We did a road trip from Cumbria to North Wales [4 of us] + bikes + gear. No issues and very comfy. They have the 5 year warranty the cars have too.

LWB for sure.

Daily commute is 60-70 miles. I would like something sporty but the day to day car needs to be suitable for a dog, occasional work stuff, MTB inside (wheels off fine) etc etc. .

5 Series Touring???

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705245778149?body-type=Estate&model=5%20SERIES&postcode=g432at&sort=price-desc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=5000&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&page=1

yeah 530d Tourer is on the list.

I did mean to look at the Hyundais. I keep seeing them as taxis. I really quite like the new peugeot van and the new toyota van – I think they have got the styling more modern and wile still not VW T5 they look decent enough but probably a bit too new still.

This thing:

and this thing:

edit: which I have now realised are the same van but with different badges!

What age transit and come on, what convertible did you get?

2011 with 12/13k on the clock which was almost too low but it’s been faultless. I’m sure it start rusting soon being a transit. The way we use it SWB was absolutely the right choice. As was the roof height!

Car, 2013 MX5 2L with the folding hard top.