Buyer's advice needed

[Slaphead]

Due to suffering from constant backache I've decided to sell my car and buy a van, from past experience of driving them I've found the raised seating position helps me a lot. The van will only be used for personal needs and commuting to work, with the occassional 400 mile trip to Scotland, so fuel consumption is important to me. I only need a SWB, my budget will be £9k, (inc. VAT if buying from a trader), so which engine size and power will suit my needs, also, what will the road tax cost?

All advice appreciated.

Slaphead

[Altransit]

If you're basically using it as a car, and carrying no weight as such, then a 260 SWB 85 or 100ps should do the job adequately (my opinion ) and one with the tallest diff (lowest ratio) would be best for good consumption on the motorway

As for the back problem, the Transit IS the most comfortable van out there, (again my opinion ) and the Vito is the most uncomfortable by far

[winterheating]

in my opinion the higher powered ones will give you the best economy, 130/140ps.

[AndyG]

eBay listings

[fedup2]

yep the 130's will give you an easy 38mpg and plenty of poke if you need it although i would have thought the power choice is down to what you want.If your a Micra driver then the 85 will get you there and be much cheaper but if you want more grunt with less gear changes then the bigger powered ones would be the better choice.I would always go for the bigger ones,that way if you want to use it you can,but you dont have to.
Then theres the spec,do you like goodies? Cant beat aircon in the summer and a heated seat and windscreen in the winter but goodies will push up the costs ALOT.The higher specked vans have more adjustment on the seats and a blow up lumber adjustment if thats your thing.
Whatever you go for id strongly recomend you find something with at least a few miles or months of ford warranty these vans can eat money if there not right.
There are plenty of Swb vans about now if you look carefully that have never been in company hands,id be looking for the right one at the right price.If you dont need a dealer id keep well away,the vans are no better just more expensive.

What about something like this.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/58-FORD-TRANSIT-2 ... 27ba0ee4d9

[g-man]

get yourself a late model connect,either 90 or 110ps,drives like a car,you can get in all carparks with 2m height restrictions,better mpg and no backache

[Boo-radley]

140 glx everything at your fingertips

[blue estate]

get yourself a late model connect,either 90 or 110ps,drives like a car,you can get in all carparks with 2m height restrictions,better mpg and no backache

Just arse ache instead from hard seat

[g-man]

you must have a boney arse then

[Slaphead]

Plenty of good advice so far guys, many thanks for taking the time to reply. In response to fedup2's suggestions, yes, I do like some goodies; air con and heated front screen are items I'd definitely want. Gear changes aren't something I'd considered, though I don't actually do much town driving, maybe the odd trip into Basingstoke or Reading. Most of the time the van will be parked up in the drive or works car park. Payload isn't an issue either, a tent and couple of bikes won't push up the fuel consumption. I've had sports and performance cars in the past but my present car, a Rover 75 CDTi, gives good mpg and with the price of fuel these days that is the most importnt criteria.

I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Transit, the Connect is still too much like a car. A few years ago I travelled to the far north of Scotland in a Transit, with a couple of detours on the return journey, a round trip of 1700 miles, I arrived back in Hampshire with hardly a hint of backache, I don't think the Connect would be as comfortable.

Thanks guys

Slaphead

[g-man]

best of luck fella

[winterheating]

Plenty of good advice so far guys, many thanks for taking the time to reply. In response to fedup2's suggestions, yes, I do like some goodies; air con and heated front screen are items I'd definitely want. Gear changes aren't something I'd considered, though I don't actually do much town driving, maybe the odd trip into Basingstoke or Reading. Most of the time the van will be parked up in the drive or works car park. Payload isn't an issue either, a tent and couple of bikes won't push up the fuel consumption. I've had sports and performance cars in the past but my present car, a Rover 75 CDTi, gives good mpg and with the price of fuel these days that is the most importnt criteria.

I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Transit, the Connect is still too much like a car. A few years ago I travelled to the far north of Scotland in a Transit, with a couple of detours on the return journey, a round trip of 1700 miles, I arrived back in Hampshire with hardly a hint of backache, I don't think the Connect would be as comfortable.

Thanks guys

Slaphead

no your dead right the transit defo has one of the most comfortable driving positions there is.

[fedup2]

Plenty of good advice so far guys, many thanks for taking the time to reply. In response to fedup2's suggestions, yes, I do like some goodies; air con and heated front screen are items I'd definitely want. Gear changes aren't something I'd considered, though I don't actually do much town driving, maybe the odd trip into Basingstoke or Reading. Most of the time the van will be parked up in the drive or works car park. Payload isn't an issue either, a tent and couple of bikes won't push up the fuel consumption. I've had sports and performance cars in the past but my present car, a Rover 75 CDTi, gives good mpg and with the price of fuel these days that is the most importnt criteria.

I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Transit, the Connect is still too much like a car. A few years ago I travelled to the far north of Scotland in a Transit, with a couple of detours on the return journey, a round trip of 1700 miles, I arrived back in Hampshire with hardly a hint of backache, I don't think the Connect would be as comfortable.

Thanks guys

Slaphead

no your dead right the transit defo has one of the most comfortable driving positions there is.

And a fair view point on hot days although my trucks better