Evening all,

I'm looking for opinions on small vans, Kangoo's, Berlingo's, etc.

I'm thinking of getting a cheap used one for daily use at home (UK) and, as my Euro bike tour has left me a bit skint, I'm contemplating using it as a cheap camper to get up to Nordkapp next year.

Any thought's on which is best..? I know there's a "rough road" version of the Berlingo with more clearance and a limited-slip diff but it seems rare and expensive second hand. I'm looking for thoughts on reliabilty and economy, and any reasons why it might not be a good idea....

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

my experience of looking for a cheap van is no such thing exists!!

what about a good estate car. tend to be pretty cheap, big enough to sleep in (I think a berlingo would be a struggle for most people to sleep in!!) and a better chance of getting something 4wd/AWD

Cheers Moggy,

Having looked around a bit I know what you mean about prices...

However, at the end of the market I'm looking at (sub £1000) cars and vans are about the same, it's service history and lack of corrosion that you're paying for.

I wouldn't rule out an estate if the right one came along but I like the fuel economy (50+mpg) you can get from the little vans and they may be a little sturdier, having been built for commercial use.

I forgot to say I'll be taking a tent so sleeping in the back would only happen when the weather gets lively.

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

Have a look here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...6-4#post418410

here in Denmark there has also been a camper version of the Galaxy/Sharan with a foldable sleeping roof and a foldable diminutive kitchen in the back.

It can still be found as a runner and I have seen 3 at a junkyard, so a UK van could be converted.

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Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

It's a strange anomoly in the HUBB that there is no specific, clearly defined forum for anything with 4 wheels other than 4WD vehicles - this particular forum gets closest with it's titling "Brand specific 4WD / 4 wheel, 2WD and Trucks TECH discussions and info for NON-Land Rover or Toyota"

Apart from that, for Nordkapp, a 2 WD would do nicely me thinks.

I've often considered getting a van - not done it so far - and one with 3 seats in the front is the only criteria I have had in mind so far. At the cheap end of the market they should not be much different in pricing from the even smaller Berlingo and the like.

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Dave

Hi Dave,

Maybe we should start a poll to see if a new forum is needed for cheap, 2wd 4-wheelers...? Adventure bangers perhaps...?

I've had vans in the past, from 6 months in Australia with a old Ford Falcon to Highland camping with a Vauxhall Rascal. Good fun and really practical with it.

You're right about pricing at the cheap end, you can pick up a Transit for the same money as a Kangoo - no Mercs though... Thing is my last bike tour has left me broke so it has to be cheap to insure and super-economical too, hence the focus on the little vans.

That said, I like the idea of the Ford Galaxy in pbekkerh's post -(thanks for that phekkerh). I hadn't considered MPV's, thought they were all gas-guzzlers but it seems not. More space than a small van and comfier too. Might be a goer if I can find one for the right money...

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

Maybe we should start a poll to see if a new forum is needed for cheap, 2wd 4-wheelers...? Adventure bangers perhaps...?

This sounds like a good idea to me, dont know how to set up a pole so sorry but I wont be the pole starter:confused1:

A diesel estate should see you able to get 50mpg plus. my old BMW530 averaged 43mpg at 85mph (on the cruise control) on the autobahn.

The days of commercial vehicles being better built than cars are long gone I'm afraid. Most vans are built from car parts and have a similar life expectancy. The difference is, the van will have been ragged to death in a hard commercial environment while the diesel estate has probably been used as a second car family runabout.

I have to say for a couple of years or so now I have been considering getting a small diesel estate or hatchback car or similar for my travels. two up far easier than a bike. carries more stuff. In an emergency you can sleep in it and has more range than just about any bike. been specifically looking at Citroen C3 and fiat Panda. both do 65mpg or more on a run and have over 400 miles range, plus can easily carry a spare 10 litres of fuel to add another 130 miles. It also means we can take better tents/sleeping bags and beds

It also means on a longer trip those time when the weather is bad it is easier to continue travelling and punctures are so easy to deal with

for reliability reasons I wouldn't go with either of those.
The Peugeot 400 series offers good build quality, economy and go quite cheaply.
The BMW Audi or VW options are also very good but more pricey.
Another option is a Volvo. Their lack of trendiness means second hand ones can be picked up for a very good price. build quality is of course exceptional and there is a 4wd option (although rare) like this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-VOLVO...item41785619dd

Guys,
It's taken me a short while, but I have now managed to find an earlier thread on this very subject, and it's a sticky one also:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...hat-does-61908
I am not aware of any changes within the HUBB as a result of the discussion and suggestions in there - I can only recommend that you read through it and add your own ideas to that thread.

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Dave

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd update this thread.

It's taken some time but I'm now the proud owner of a Peugeot 406 estate..!

After a lot of research I concluded that small vans are expensive when compared to cars. Even the 'car' version of the van is cheaper..!

So it was a case of keeping an eye on the ads until something came along that ticked all, or most, of the boxes.

My new purchase was made in 1999, has a 2.0 litre turbo diesel and has covered 184000 miles. Which is quite a lot, BUT it has a full years MOT (roadworthiness), new discs on the back, new pads all round, new rear section of the exhuast and best of all, I bought it from a mechanic who serviced it regularly, including a recent cam belt and waterpump. The only issues so far are the air bag light flashing intermittently (I was told about this) a knackered wiper blade and a slight, rhythmic vibration which may be from the tyres, some of which will need replacing fairly soon anyway.

It's early days but so far I'm pretty happy. It starts, stops and handles well enough and is comfortable and quiet inside, apart from some rattly panels..! It cruised up the motorway to Scotland, where I am now, with no drama covering 500ish miles on 1/2 a tank which is fine by me.

Not sure if it'll go to Nordkap but only because I'm not sure when I will, given my perilous finances: I'll be exploring the camping possibilties a bit closer to home in the meantime however. Watch this space.

Thanks for the link to the other thread Dave, not read it through yet but from a quick skim it seems there may be some interest in another 4 wheel forum. I'll post my thoughts when I've read it properly.

Thanks to all for your contributions...

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

very good cars, good pedigree and very economical, should serve you well.

dont forget the 1.9 will happily run on a veg oil /diesel mix , better to do in summer than winter , veg oil can be found for around 85 -90p per litre at the moment !

Hmm, I thought the 1.9 was the previous XUD engine..? Will the HDI run ok on veg oil..? Looking outside, I'd agree on waiting for warmer weather..

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.