White Vans

**Homestar** · 23rd January 2020, 12:55 PM

Thought I'd ask the brains trust here although I'm sure I'll get as many different answers as people who respond but here goes. I have been asked by a friend to assist them in buying a white van - needs to be a long wheelbase, hi top so he can stand up in it to load and unload. Age not so much of an issue but it needs to be as lower KM as possible. Budget is around $25K but can stretch that for the right vehicle.

My thoughts (As I've had them as work vehicles) was a Transit Van but open to other ideas from those with experience with them.

I have had 2 other people warn me off Ivecos though - both have had multiple big dollar issue with fairly low KM examples that had been fairly well maintained - could be bad luck that the only 2 people I've spoken to about their vehicles both had bad stories to tell but it does put them down the list a bit.

There could be an option to buy a new LDV - they are around $37K drive away so cheap for a new vehicle - but on the flip side - they are cheap... Anyone got any experience with those at all? Internet has a mix of good and bad - they would be looking at the manual version - the auto seems to have a bad rap, but engine seems to be ok from what I can work out. This would be low down on the list though as it's a bit out of his price range but if the benefits of a new vehicle, warranty, etc has benefits that outweigh the extra dollars, then it could be looked at.

So, all thoughts good and bad appreciated - I'm doing my own research on top of this but with a knowledge base this big, there's bound to be some members here driving or owning a white van of some kind.

Thanks in advance.

**grey_ghost** · 23rd January 2020, 01:02 PM

I don’t know model mumbers but I thought that the Merc vans have a good reputation? Probably pricey though.

**Homestar** · 23rd January 2020, 01:07 PM

Sprinters - yes, very pricey but seem to have a solid reputation - low KM examples seem to be pricey but they could be on the list. Would like to hear from someone who has or drives one regularly. Given there are some of these with over 500,000KM on them on Car Sales, some at least seem to go for bloody ages!

**Chops** · 23rd January 2020, 01:08 PM

A lot of the couriers I’ve had to deal with seem happy with their Transits, but also the Benz seems to be fairly well regarded too.

**gromit** · 23rd January 2020, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Chops

A lot of the couriers I’ve had to deal with seem happy with their Transits, but also the Benz seems to be fairly well regarded too.

Problem with the Benz will be dealing with the dealer, possibly OK if you go independant.
Dealer had free coffee, free fruit & cakes, all the techs were in suits (in fact I hadn't seen so many suits in one place since I last visited Peter Jackson's)

Father-in-law's Sprinter based motorhome, engine warning light comes on. Glowplug issues, 6 glowplugs plus fitting $1,700 plus GST.

He also had some issues Benz struggled to fix but he's not with us any longer now to ask what they were.

Colin

**scarry** · 23rd January 2020, 02:32 PM

Toyota although the bigger model with high roof may not be large enough,or too large.

As I have said before,had many that do 300 000 k’s with not one repair,and they are all loaded almost on GVM,all day every day.

Know heaps of tradies with other brands and none of them have not had a repair of some kind,many have to have the front end rebuilt frequently or tyres Dont last.Some have had major engine issues.

Buts it’s the old story,service and look after it properly and it will probably be fine.

Transits,a mate had one quite a few years ago that had all sorts of electrical issues the dealer couldn’t sort it,it was eventually scrapped.

**Homestar** · 23rd January 2020, 03:22 PM

Not sure if Toyota do a large enough van - I’ve had them too and yes, seem to be bullet proof.

DiscoMick · 23rd January 2020, 03:31 PM

I know a couple of tradies with VW vans, but I can't ask them for feedback right now. Have you considered them?

**DoubleChevron** · 23rd January 2020, 03:34 PM

I can't say I've heard of any issues with the Trafic van.

You have been blocked

long wheel base low milage for around $25k

**DazzaTD5** · 23rd January 2020, 04:04 PM

I'd research the VW / Merc vans (same van, different badges) as they had quite a lot of problems with the DEF system (diesel exhaust fluid (ad-blue etc)).

And lets face it, if you want a van that will do 300K plus and its big enough, you cant go past a Toyota

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