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I went for a used van. I pay about £130 a month for it on finance, across a 3 year deal, knowing that in about 6 months time, it'll be fully paid off, and mine to own (and sell if I wish).
I bought a van that was less than 3 years old when I bought it, and low mileage, so still has lots of life in it.
Plus I've been able to upgrade locks etc, without falling foul of any hire agreements. Plus if I were to dink it, it's not going to cost me!
Highly recommend the second hand route.
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I got mine 2nd hand about 4 years ago for the stunning cost of £1,200.
It's a W Reg, and I purposely went for older due to it coming into a different band of paying for emissions through road tax. But....I knew what I was looking at. It's a Toyota Hiace and they're as reliable as they come (in fact the motor in it will outlast the bodywork by several decades). It's not the best looking beast (it tends to get knocked in car parks and with gear going in and out), it's not got bells and whistles, but it works and that's all I ask of it at the end of the day.
The added bonus (and I knew this when I got it) is that my local mechanic trained on these beasts so can do absolute magic with it on the rare occasion it does go wrong. It's had a bit done to it, but as he says.....anything that would have needed to be replaced now has been so there shouldn't be any major shocks to come.
Would I like something newer? Maybe. Am I likely to get it? Nope - not until this one dies.
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I Have got too the point where I am outgrowing my Zafira and need a van for 2019.
As much as I want a Viano (classed as a private car) my sensible side is very much warming to the idea of a Nissan electric van. i only ever go out a few times a week and never travel any distance, so it will do me fine. I want to combine it with solar panels in my garden and a battery susyetm to store the energy/feed into my mains system, effectively giving me a road tax free car that more often than not gets charged for nothing. Plus there is very limited servicing and moving parts, so on paper it looks like an amazing deal considering the used ones are about £12,000, with little miles on the clock.
I think if I was to go for a traditional van it would most probably be a Vito, if that helps, but I would look for something that has cheapish tax and a good MPG? I do about 50-60 mpg I recon in my Zafira as I have learnt to drive it properly, but something with at least 5 seats would be a good idea as a second child vehicle, so i am looking at the bus version of the Nissan I think, the seats are on rails, but I may have to take out the back seats. Probably easier to sell them thatcher than have them lying about for 5-10 years??
We have a Merc 6 seater R class (3 litre V6) so thats for the family and long drives. Certainly not a DJ or dog vehicle.
A camper would also feature in my search as they are super useful for a small family and hold their value well. I think you need separate insurance for that specifically for Campers though. plus they don't look great outside of posh venues (unless they are a brand new £60,000 Parco Polo) LOL.
Last edited by yourdj; 25-10-2018 at 06:15 PM.
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Originally Posted by
yourdj
my sensible side is very much warming to the idea of a Nissan electric van.
I looked into those recently but daren't take the risk. The quoted mileage is actually during the day with an empty payload. Bear in mind we normally travel at night and with (heaven forbid in a commercial vehicle)...equipment on-board, the figures didn't add up for me. It worked out that you could (at a stretch) get about 80 miles between charges.
Now if you're working VERY local, that's not an issue. What happens if you're diverted on the way home though? Or on freezing nights where batteries are less efficient? Or if you're stuck in traffic but still need to use the lights (as is law)?
I feel electricity powered commercial vehicles have got to come a LONG way before they can be used properly
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Originally Posted by
Imagine
I looked into those recently but daren't take the risk. The quoted mileage is actually during the day with an empty payload. Bear in mind we normally travel at night and with (heaven forbid in a commercial vehicle)...equipment on-board, the figures didn't add up for me. It worked out that you could (at a stretch) get about 80 miles between charges.
Now if you're working VERY local, that's not an issue. What happens if you're diverted on the way home though? Or on freezing nights where batteries are less efficient? Or if you're stuck in traffic but still need to use the lights (as is law)?
I feel electricity powered commercial vehicles have got to come a LONG way before they can be used properly
Yep 80 is what i have heard, but they have a good rapid charge system for about 45 mins to 80% or something like that, i can just plug it into a mains plug at a venue if I have a longer than usual drive I guess? Plus don't forget they have regen that reposers the batteries instead of breaking, you just remove your foot off the accelerator and it does it then.
Anyhow 95% of my events are a 20 min journey away, so I think it might be an option I really need to look into the battery and when/how/how much when they are changed. Plus a few test drives to see if I like the experience. I think for £17,000 I can get that and the solar stuff and it should break even in a few years when i deduct servicing, tax, fuel & my electric bills. If i had a long journey with less kit, then I can use the Merc as its fine for the odd event, BAGS of room being a LWB.
I shall let you know how i get on. i am trying to recoup money from an expensive building project at the moment, so it will most probably be post March 2019 when I start earning more money and have all the events in for the year.
Last edited by yourdj; 25-10-2018 at 06:21 PM.
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Originally Posted by
yourdj
A camper would also feature in my search as they are super useful for a small family and hold their value well.
plus they don't look great outside of posh venues (unless they are a brand new £60,000 Parco Polo) LOL.
The traditional vintage VW campers seem to be doing well - in fact many people hire them as wedding transport to the venue. You could get a dual use out of it - drop off the equipment at the venue, and then do a run to the church and back
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Dinosaur
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Last edited by yourdj; 26-10-2018 at 08:34 AM.
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