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[stevecapri]

Hi all, just thought I'd say hello, I dont actually own a van, but its something I've wanted for a few years now, after a lot of thinking lately, I've decided to sell my pride and joy, the ford capri that I've owned and worked on for the last six years, it barely gets used, so it's going up for sale to fund a day van, just looking for advice on what to go for, my budget would be about 12000, fancy something with 5 or 6 seats, a bed, not really after a full on camper, more like a day van, my brother just bought a 2008 transporter, which I like the look of, but as I'm new to this, any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Bav]

Welcome to the forum Steve.

Have you got any pics of your Capri (to keep the natives interested while awaiting pics of your van)?

 

[stevecapri]

This is the capri in question, I know I'm really going to regret it, but she very rarely gets used

 

[Bav]

That takes me right back to my childhood. My dad was too conformist for a Capri (he was a Cortina man), but the bloke across the road had one and he had that Bodie and Doyle vibe about him.

 

[stevecapri]

Thanks Bav, My dad was always a cortina man, in fact he hated capris, I've owned 37 of them since I started driving, as well as a couple of cortinas, sierras etc, I took mine out for half a day yesterday, and I'll admit, while I'm in it, i love it, but the other half doesn't like it, where as, when I eventually get a van, I can take the family out, take the bikes, the dog, it would just get a lot more use, and be more fun

 

[Bav]

37? Wow!

I don't have such an interesting (or long) ownership history, but the Transporter is probably the best vehicle I've ever had. I wish I could have afforded one when the kids were young, but it's "just" a camper for the 2 of us.

 

[stevecapri]

Well, the capri is sold, ill be meeting the buyer up on Scotland in a couple of weeks, so ill have 12k to spend on a van, been looking at transporters every day, does anyone here have any info on which engine is most reliable? I've seen 1.9, 2.0 and 2.5, is any more reliable than the others, and are they roughly the same road tax cost? Is there anything to look out for when buying an older van, t5 in particular, sorry for all the questions, im new to vans and not sure what to look out for
Thanks in advance
Steve

 

[JumpShip]

How do Steve and welcome mate .
1.9 are good , a tad agricultural and are maybe more prone to HG failure.
2.5 are great IF they've been maintained religiously.
2.0 in the t5.1 are a pretty safe bet , 6 speed box on the 140bhp is stronger than the 5 speed on the lower bhp models but avoid the bi tdi 180 .

 

[stevecapri]

Hi, Thanks for the reply, ill look more towards the 2.0, can't wait to get the money from the car sale, keep putting vans in my watch list on ebay, then seeing them sell,

 

[Sasquatch]

Thanks Bav, My dad was always a cortina man...

My Dad was a Jensen Interceptor man, although he constantly moaned about it having American power.

 

[MorkC68]

That looks one great Capri! Takes me back, I had a 1987 2.0 Laser with the RS 7-spoke alloys and K & N air filter! Happy Days

 

[stevecapri]

Thanks, I'll be gutted to see her go, but really looking forward to getting my van

 

[JumpShip]

The 2.0 came on the t5.1 (2010 onwards)
Before that it's 1.9 or 2.5.

 

[manfrotto]

As Jumpship says - avoid the ones with the Biturbo. They were prone to having the EGR cooler disintegrating internally with aluminium bits destroyng the engine. A lot of owners blanked off the EGR to avoid the issue.

 

[stevecapri]

Very good to know, thanks for that

 

[Pauly]

I would say you are looking at a T5.1 which is 2010-2015, they are all 2.0 engines with varying outputs, personally i would be looking for a 140PS engine which is the most powerful of the single turbo engines and defo avoid the 180PS biturbo engine as they can be problematic if not serviced properly and prone to catastrophic failure.

12k should get you a nice van just remember not to get too excited and rush to buy anything !

 

[manfrotto]

I am not familiar with the T5's in the UK, but believe there are a couple of different models - Startline and Highline with different specifications. Someone on the forum can probably explain the differences.
Also decide if you want:
LWB or SWB ( obviously more room in the LWB but not as easy for parking etc)
Manual or DSG gearbox - probably a personal choice - I think they are as equally reliable
Tailgate or barn doors - personal preference
single sliding door or dual sliding door - I find the dual sliders much better for access especially as a camper van conversion, but others might disagree.
Front wheel drive or 4WD - way harder to find a 4WD and potentially more issues/maintenance, but if you need the traction on wet grass, mud etc....

 

[R8N XX]

Welcome in. What a nice Capri. Solar Gold I believe. I have a Mk5 cortina that was in ashes to ashes. Had it 10years. Not really used it for the last 6 of them. Considering selling it tbh. But not so sure I can.

 

[stevecapri]

Wow, that's a beauty! And famous too, i can see why your conflicted about selling it,