New T7 or T6.1

Not one mention of the dreaded 'wet belt' Ford engine?
I'd opt for the T6.1 every day. Didn't like the 6.1 front end when it came out. It grew on me and just to swallow my words, I even face-lifted my old T5.1 with a 6.1 front end.
I just can't see that happening with the new Transporter.
It's just a Transit whichever way you look at it and I think the residual values will plummet just as fast as Transits do in comparison to Transporters.
 
So I drove one today, in my opinion its a better drive, 6 speed 110bhp, the sales chap insisted it was bigger in the back, it does look wider the wheel arches are tiny. Nice seats, dash etc, I even quite liked the looks when parked next to my t6.1m and a very large discount. My cash was out!

But.............another chap looking at it at the same time, coming out of a custom and had a 'wet belt' fail! He was happy to buy as a 3-5 year lease (big discount) with a five-year warranty so in his view no risk, in his words "I'll hand the keys and a broken van back and walk away".....its not the same for me with my hard-earned cash on it and probably spent another £10k on additions!
 
Don't want to run myself down too much but I was hoping this bouffant bad boy would make me look a bit taller, the buckle you can see is actually part of the safety mechanism, I was a beta tester.
 
Mwillis said:
So I drove one today, in my opinion its a better drive, 6 speed 110bhp, the sales chap insisted it was bigger in the back, it does look wider the wheel arches are tiny. Nice seats, dash etc, I even quite liked the looks when parked next to my t6.1m and a very large discount. My cash was out!

But.............another chap looking at it at the same time, coming out of a custom and had a 'wet belt' fail! He was happy to buy as a 3-5 year lease (big discount) with a five-year warranty so in his view no risk, in his words "I'll hand the keys and a broken van back and walk away".....its not the same for me with my hard-earned cash on it and probably spent another £10k on additions!
Click to expand...
With the VW it's 5 years warranty and 5 years free servicing (and MOTs), so it's not a dire gamble.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
Stay Frosty said:
You're right to question their logic but I still have this hankering and a restraining order at our local Vindis Id Buzz showroom for the Buzz, I want one, in that or the orange/white two tone.
In my distorted reality the Buzz is the pretty great grandchild of the Splitty and as such doesn't have to actually deliver adventure... just indicate that it might be possible.
There was that German couple (chap in the dark blue T shirt) at Busfest in 2022 that had driven all the way from Southern Germany so it is doable. :thumbsup:
View attachment 296110
View attachment 296111
Click to expand...
I looked very seriously at the Buzz myself. I've no electric qualms.

The major thing that put me off was being a third smaller in the rear than a 6.1. For a day van perhaps not such an issue, but not so ideal for a camper.

I did toy with the idea of hanging on and seeing what the Transitsporter electric or hybrid might be like but there is always an excuse to wait another 6 months if you look hard enough. So, I bit the bullet and went the 6.1 way, keeping the mechanical spec as simple as possible with an eye on longevity of ownership.
 
Was loaned a new T7 for 3 days while my T6 was repaired. Not keen. Compared to the T4, 5, 5.1, 6 and 6.1 I found the T7 very "light weight". All the earlier Ts I have enjoyed driving and have that solid VW feel. The T7 was just a van, it could have been anything Ford, Nissan, Vauxhall, Hiace etc. To my mind VW have dumbed down the T7 - it just disappears into the crowd.
 
Wildcamper said:
Was loaned a new T7 for 3 days while my T6 was repaired. Not keen. Compared to the T4, 5, 5.1, 6 and 6.1 I found the T7 very "light weight". All the earlier Ts I have enjoyed driving and have that solid VW feel. The T7 was just a van, it could have been anything Ford, Nissan, Vauxhall, Hiace etc. To my mind VW have dumbed down the T7 - it just disappears into the crowd.
Click to expand...
That doesn't surprise me. My SiL has one of the last of old Transits. It drives very well, but feels flimsy in comparison to my 6.1.

Some of that will be because VW are clever and like to give an impression of quality without actually spending the money, such as tuning the noise the doors make when closing to give an illusion of solidity,

But theres little doubt the exterior panels are heavier gauge steel on the VW, the interior plastics ar a heavier mouldings and are fitted with more and better fasteners, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Hold onto your T6.1s!
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
Jay586
Jay586
Jacobsroodt
The Ford | T7 Conundrum
11 12 13
Replies
250
Views
36K
ChrisBell
ChrisBell
Arrow
So I sat in a new Ford Custom (T7 Transporter) and here's my thoughts.
3 4 5
Replies
85
Views
34K
T6.1Ste
T6.1Ste
S
Buy a New Panel Van from a dealer on PCP or HP and convert to a camper?
Replies
10
Views
1K
doncarlyon
doncarlyon
B
T6.1 owner-what next-ID Buzz?
Replies
19
Views
1K
DXX
D
Back
Top