still trying to buy a transit.... but

[robi]

... but the pickings are slim here in Hungary.

everything I can afford is in the 1998 - 1999 - 2000 model year range and all seem to have 250 K km on them.

just what is the life epextancy of these beasts....

all are 2.5 l diesel engines... ok, there is 1 that is 2.0,.... not sure about eh other stats... horse power, etc....

should I be buying thing swith this many miles-km on them ? Or would I really be bette roff looking in Germand and the UK and hoping the import duties are not too high?

Robi

[alanwh]

How much are they in Hungary ?

The most important thing is the condition of the chassis and body
I would not be concerned at all about how many KM but more on what my eyes tell me.
It will depend more on which vans have been well serviced, how many parts replaced, how it has been driven and looked after than anything else
Some engines and transmissions with 200Km can be scrap, others are still like new after 400KM.
It should start well with little smoke, *just slight smoke on acceleration * (acceleration should be steady but not slug like), the gears should all engage correctly without crunching, the rear axel should be quiet. (any of the above can still be fixed though)
*NB new injectors are recomended every 200KM or so

If you don't know how to look for a worn engine then I would get a compression test done if you can.
A good test is to take out the dipstick and examine the oil, It should be light to dark brown and run freely not like black treacle rub the oil between your thumb and finger it should feel smooth not gritty
Mechanically everything is cheap and easy to get in the UK second hand, but this may not be the same in Hungary

All up to MK 5 Disels (unless it's a really old model) are 2.5 Overhead Valve Direct injection Diesel engines the 2.0 would be petrol (unless it's a mK 6 )

Hope I have everything there
But other lads wil probably add their thoughts too

Any more quiestions

[MattBlackMinibus]

I got my first Transit last year, with 248,000 miles on it.
I got underneath to check the chassis and floor, then drove it to check for funny noises.
All seemed good so I bought it.

It now has 262,000 miles, and has cost me 40 pounds to maintain.
The prop-shaft bearing went, and an exhaust rubber broke.

People have commented on how strong it looks, and how quiet it sounds.

Is mileage a concern, no ... Condition is.

[robi]

well, the price for these things here is in the 4 to 5 thousand EURO range... no idea what that is in sterling.


parts are not cheap here, even used ones.... I have no way of getting any testing done until I buy it.

It is very frustrating here but every time I have bought a vehicle I waksed to take it for a test drive.. the ansser was always, *what for, you canot tell much in an hour in traffic or on the highway*

But I can tell how well it acelerates, if it is sluggish, what the smoke look like, etc but they just do not let me do it.

However, where there is a will, there is a way... so, in this time of economic crisis, I may be able to tell htem to let me test drive, or I will take my business elsewhere.

How a given car has been treated, serviced and driven here is all a guess. Ppl in general abuse their cars here. Lots of flooring the gas when the lights turn green and driving right up to the line when the light turns red and hitting the breaks hard... over taking in rush hour traffic requires one to accelerate far faster than I care to but is done here reqularly.

I will try to look for a van in the country side since they tend to take better care of them and have far less traffic there....

robi

[Backbone of Britain]

well, the price for these things here is in the 4 to 5 thousand EURO range... no idea what that is in sterling.


parts are not cheap here, even used ones.... I have no way of getting any testing done until I buy it.

It is very frustrating here but every time I have bought a vehicle I waksed to take it for a test drive.. the ansser was always, *what for, you canot tell much in an hour in traffic or on the highway*

But I can tell how well it acelerates, if it is sluggish, what the smoke look like, etc but they just do not let me do it.

However, where there is a will, there is a way... so, in this time of economic crisis, I may be able to tell htem to let me test drive, or I will take my business elsewhere.

How a given car has been treated, serviced and driven here is all a guess. Ppl in general abuse their cars here. Lots of flooring the gas when the lights turn green and driving right up to the line when the light turns red and hitting the breaks hard... over taking in rush hour traffic requires one to accelerate far faster than I care to but is done here reqularly.

I will try to look for a van in the country side since they tend to take better care of them and have far less traffic there....

robi

Bloody hell thats about £3500-£4300. you can get a good late Mk6 for that over here

[robi]

Just to give you an idea of what I am able to buy here

http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/2979712_ford_transit_1999

or

http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/2996973_ford_transit_2000

but then there are cheaper ones like this

http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/2939467_ford_transit_1998

There was a 2003 with German plate and papers that cost about 3000 Euro and the import duties would have been just over 1000 euro more.... but it was sold before I could even call the owner. liek it sold in 5 minutes of being posted on the Net!

I will have to look into how much it would cost to bring one form the UK if they ar that much cheaper there.

what are some good sites to search for them?

thanks

robi

[Aardvark]

Hello Robi, Welcome to the Transit site where you will get good advice and encouragement. It sounds like the cost of Transits in Hungary is much the same as here in France. The idea of buying from UK where they are very cheap and plentiful could be a good idea for you. But remember, you will be buying a right hand drive and you might find this is a problem to register in Hungary. If there is no problem with that, then consider the difficulty when you want to overtake another vehicle and cannot see easily past it to see if the way is clear. If you are OK with this then go ahead and buy from UK. Look at Ebay (UK) and of course, this Transit site. Another option is look to France. A lot of British people are leaving France at the moment because the exchange rate has become unfavourable for them and they are finding it difficult. Many of them have been using Transits and now want to sell them (cheap). To find these bargains look on the internet for http://www.AngloInfo.
There are about 6 or 8 different regional forums and they all have free advertising once you have registered. You can look at the ads for cars, etc. or place your own "wanted" ad. There are bargains to be had. Good luck!

[robi]

Aardvark,

Thanks

I was also told to look at German sites as there seem to be a bunch of good deals on Transits there.

I have not looked into registering right hand drives here. but I have seen right hand drives with Hungarian plates, so it must be possible.

And of course I have ot ask the wife what she thinks about this....

robi

[mr T]

thats a lot of cash for an older type vehicle. . is it 1.5 euros for a quid

[Aardvark]

Exchange rate was €1.14 to the £ today. As you say, a lotta cash for an old un.

[whitevanman66]

at todays rate 5000 euros is £4524.48 the exchange rate (is shite!!) currently 1.1051

[robi]

well, it looks like I will not be able to buy one in the UK or -France or Germany and get all the paper work done in time to take the family to Spain. I have about 4 weeks to get everything done and it takes about 4 weeks. and I have not evenfound a car yet. I ahve to be here for work until late June so I wil have to buy the expensive, old buggers here... maybe next time roudn I will have the time to buy abroad.

Robi

[vanfox]

OK, think outside the box.....

Instead of Spain, holiday or travel to the UK, or whereever you can find two or three good, cheap Smileys with good MOTs.

I take it her indoors can drive? Make sure one of the vans has a good towbar then drive two of the vans back to Hungary, with the third on a trailer or A frame. It would be an interesting 'road trip' and can't be too far 'cos there's lots of Hungarian lorries cluttering up the UK. ( Maybe one of them could take all three home if it's running empty.)

Visit Spain on the way home if you must and flog the worst or all of the vans for spares and use the money to buy a decent van. Would you need to register a van if it was designated as scrap?

I'm sure there are members on here who would help you find the vans.

Now to find a darkened room.....

[frank308d]

Transits do appear here in France for sale by brits who bought them originally to move their stuff over. Once it becomes clear that, as a right hand drive, it is virtually worthless in the land of left hand drive, they come up for sale. Chances are that the mot will be expired and will have sat for a while so do all the checks you can. and bargain hard.
It's how I found mine !!!!
All the best in your search.
Frank.

[Aardvark]

Some interesting suggestions......There must be some way to capitalise on the huge difference in values between EU countries...........Anyone got any more ideas?