Am I Iooking in the wrong place ?

[smallzoo]

I found a brilliant post by a member called jonesy when I googled buying a van which basically said don't buy an older one !

We simply want our first day van ..it will be my wife and I and usually 3 dogs ( 2 medium , 1 small )

No intention of sleeping it unless we have to ( I know that sounds odd ) .

We want something like this where the rear is simply a seat , sliding doors to admire the view and a mini pod kitchen ( stove/fridge) or something basic to make a coffee and store some food. The dogs will lie down behind the front seats ( secured of course )

My wife doesn't really want to drive a van like a vivaro, transit etc so its down to either say a transporter ( which I know are expensive as they are VW ) or maybe an MPV like an alhambra ( remove the middle seats )

The issues is that we either spend £5k and get a T4 or a lot more and get a T5 or T6

Any advice of what to do and maybe even what to buy ?

Peter

Cheshire UK

 

[Sasquatch]

So you're after more of a day-van rather than a camper.

A cheap £5k T4 is liable to cost an arm and a leg to get straightened out. Nothing wrong with a T4 if that's your bag, but you'll need to invest in a decent one or it'll drain your financial lifeblood.

 

[smallzoo]

Thanks..that's what I've heard...I have loads of people in various groups trying to sell me one !

Any suggestions then what I should looking for ?.. honestly I don't mind any suggestions

 

[Sasquatch]

Depends largely on your budget.

 

[smallzoo]

We are undecided...do we go cheap at first ie <£5k and run it for a year or so and sell it on or go for a £10k+ motor and run it longer

...bet you those sums make you laugh as they are both pennies...

 

[Sasquatch]

No laughing from me, thats not how we roll in the Transporter world.

Bear in mind that depreciation of decent Transporters of all generations is low, so money invested in a good van at rhe front end may ultimately work out less expensive than buying a shed when you come to sell and get some cash back.

Beware of shysters that will try to convince you their rusty leggy old tat is worth loads because its a Transporter. Is ain't. Its the good stuff that enjoys buyant values, not the sheds.

 

[smallzoo]

So realistically should I not touch anything below a T5

 

[Sasquatch]

Nothing wrong with a T4, but you want to avoid the sheds.

 

[smallzoo]

I love my cars but I'm no mechanic .. I must have been very lucky as at 65 I've had a lot and I mean a LOT of cars and only ever bought 2 bad ones..but never a van or campervan.. and at our age I dont want to be hit with stupid bills .. I did look at the justkampers website but none of the owners message you back.

this one for example
VW T4 1.9 TD year 2000 | Volkswagen T4 For Sale | Just Kampers

says bodywork in good condition but its only got 2 months MOT left and the last mot said sills corroded !

I think i'm really going to struggle to find an honest one

 

[Sasquatch]

The biggest challenge with a T4 will always be rot simply due to their age. If you can find a genuinely clean one you're halfway there.

That one in the the ad has algae in the door shuts, instant evidence of a vehicle thats not been showered with love and care. Regardless of age a van owned by enthusiast, as opposed to someone just wanting a hack, will have none of that nonsense.

 

[DXX]

So realistically should I not touch anything below a T5

Not unless you have thousands to spend, are a mechanic/welder/body repair specialist who enjoys fixing vehicles as much as using them.

 

[Salty Spuds]

A friend of mine is currently in the middle of a T4 body transplant. Unless you're exceptionally lucky, any T4 will now be showing its age. That said, my French compadre has a 30yr old t4 multivan with 350000km on it, engine is bomb proof, but the body is weak.

 

[JumpShip]

Anyone who truly has faith in the vehicle they are selling would put a fresh mot on it not blow it out just before hand .