MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
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???
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:
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and this thing:
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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.