Van

SumoDog68 · 11-04-2009, 01:37 PM

Hi everyone and hopefully Easter break is a enjoyable one. I am about to start a small part time business that involves carting stock and tools around and have decided that swb low roof van would be ideal.
Can't really afford to buy a new one as my budget is between 15-20k. Does anyone have experience with any of smaller vans in that price range. My main priorities would be reliabilty ,fuel economy and ideally would prefer semi bonneted design but i guess you can't have everything so i might have to compromise on some of those.
Thanks for helping out.

Windsor220 · 11-04-2009, 01:40 PM

Brand new Mitsubishi Express vans are under 20k. Im sure other brands are the same.

SumoDog68 · 11-04-2009, 01:48 PM

Thanks mate, i have only looked at Hyundai ILoad and Ford Transit and those were much more expensive.

GS608 · 11-04-2009, 02:09 PM

Toyota Hiace are very reliable, can get them fairly cheap too, the hiace/express style vans are cheaper and smaller.. the transit/iload/vito style vans are the larger ones

XR Martin · 11-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Express' are death traps, dont even bother if you value your life.

For that price you could find a current shape Hiace

I probably wouldnt buy a used Euro van out of warranty.

Bushbasher · 11-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Have a look at a Mitsubishi Delica 4WD TD. Basically Pajero running gear and cheap to run with the benefit of AWD when the weather turns bad plus they'll go just about anywhere. They accelerate from a standing start as well as most petrol vans, are cheaper to run and being diesel they won't be affected by a load as much as a petrol engine. If the budget can stretch as far as putting a whiff of LPG on as well then it'll go like a scalded cat and be cheaper to run than a 4 pot petrol van or ute at the same time.

Bushbasher

**Elks** · 11-04-2009, 07:53 PM

Don't buy a van. Buy a cab chassis Falcon, Hilux, Isuzu truck what ever.

The all the cash you spend racking out the van for a mobile tool store wont be wasted come update time.

Spend 10K on a late cab Chassis. Spend the balance on an LPG kit and mags graphics etc for presentation (you are selling to tradies after all).

The the cash you would have spent racking out a van to sell your wares can be spent on a removable body that can swap over to you next vehilce.

We see lots of poeople who spent big $$ turning a Vito or transit into a mobile fridge only to lose that and more come trade in time. If you have a specialised vehicle make sure it's transferable.

Be careful on your vehilce selection becuase get what your next one will be?

By an AU 1 tonner on gas so you can update to a BA/BF/FG when business takes off.

waggaclint · 11-04-2009, 07:58 PM

Toyota Hiace would be the pic of them....But as myts says a ute with a conopy etc would be a good option just depends on how much room you need...

4 WORK & PLAY · 11-04-2009, 08:04 PM

Mate, Ive got a hiace van for sale, ex telstra so it has shelving and roof racks etc all ready. Low k's - 78000kms. Its clean as and you'd be hard pressed to find one in better nick, no dents, clean interior, low k's and already shelved etc. send me a pm if you are interested. I'm looking at $20,000 ONO

Cheers

Sean

**Elks** · 11-04-2009, 07:59 PM

Don't buy a van. Buy a cab chassis Falcon, Hilux, Isuzu truck what ever.

The all the cash you spend racking out the van for a mobile tool store wont be wasted come update time.

Spend 10K on a late cab Chassis. Spend the balance on an LPG kit and mags graphics etc for presentation (you are selling to tradies after all).

The the cash you would have spent racking out a van to sell your wares can be spent on a removable body that can swap over to you next vehilce.

We see lots of poeople who spent big $$ turning a Vito or transit into a mobile fridge only to lose that and more come trade in time. If you have a specialised vehicle make sure it's transferable.

Be careful on your vehilce selection because get what your next one will be?

By an AU 1 tonner on gas so you can update to a BA/BF/FG when business takes off.

XR6_190 · 11-04-2009, 08:41 PM

Do not touch a Mitsi' Express, or Kia Pregio, you would be better off in a second hand Transit, and that is saying something, but i would definitely pit safety against reliabilty, and a Transit is as unreliable as a express is unsafe.

Seriously though, a Hiace is as good a package as you could want. The only current Toyota worthy of spending money on.

FPV+fteT3 · 12-04-2009, 10:54 AM

Having used toyota and mitsubishi express vans in my business I now use falcon utes with canopies for a better ride comfort and resale buy your self a BA ute and a f/glass canopy and enjoy your day at work.

SumoDog68 · 12-04-2009, 01:30 PM

Some great ideas in particular one about cab chassis ute. I am not sure about space but definately a better drive. Will look into it.
Thanks everyone for their input !

Buzz Box · 13-04-2009, 12:58 PM

Either go to the auctions and get a ex-telstra etc van thats fully fitted out or like they've said depending on your application get a dual cab or ute etc with body.

gassed250 · 16-05-2009, 12:13 PM

I have a december 07 slwb Hiace with the 3.0l D4D these thing are a fantastin van i have already racked up 295000 km and have had no problems with it what so ever, and it gets driven hard every day

4VCLEVO · 16-05-2009, 04:46 PM

Talking about safety, the new shape HI ACE still only manages a 3 star crash rating, so it to is a death trap. The previous model HI ACE and MITSUBISHI EXPRESS only have 2 star ratings. If you are really wanting a van, buy a Mercedes or a VW, they both have 4 star crash ratings and are the 2 safest vans on the market. If a vans not that important, buy a falcon ute as others have said.
On another note I am an electrician and drive a fully loaded Hi ace every day and never get better than 15.5l/100km and they have no power to overtake when the person in front of you is doing 90km/h in a 100km zone.
My boss on the other hand has a BA RTV, he gets better fuel economy and has all the power in the world.

EDIT: Just found some NCAP crash tests on utube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnY_h...eature=related
Don't buy an express, it worse than I thought at only 1 star.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIFm...eature=related
The new hiace at 3 stars.

In all honesty, safety should be at the top of the list in buying a van. Your job is not worth dieing for.

gassed250 · 25-08-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4VCLEVO

Talking about safety, the new shape HI ACE still only manages a 3 star crash rating, so it to is a death trap. The previous model HI ACE and MITSUBISHI EXPRESS only have 2 star ratings. If you are really wanting a van, buy a Mercedes or a VW, they both have 4 star crash ratings and are the 2 safest vans on the market. If a vans not that important, buy a falcon ute as others have said.
On another note I am an electrician and drive a fully loaded Hi ace every day and never get better than 15.5l/100km and they have no power to overtake when the person in front of you is doing 90km/h in a 100km zone.
My boss on the other hand has a BA RTV, he gets better fuel economy and has all the power in the world.

EDIT: Just found some NCAP crash tests on utube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnY_h...eature=related
Don't buy an express, it worse than I thought at only 1 star.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIFm...eature=related
The new hiace at 3 stars.

In all honesty, safety should be at the top of the list in buying a van. Your job is not worth dieing for.

is that the older hiace you have

I have no problems overtaking with a loaded car trailer on the back at what ever speed, but i some times need to knock back a gear when going up steep hills

VW vans = replacement trans sooner or later (if its an auto better have a handy $12000)

XR Martin · 25-08-2009, 03:18 PM

Another option would be an older Transit with a Commodore V6 conversion. Yeah yeah its a Holden engine, but they are bullet proof and got plenty of low down torque.
Biggest problem with the Transits is the drivelines so putting something reliable in it would make them fantastic.