Help me decide! Choice of 3 Transits all SWB Semi hi

[dann-b-e]

Hi guys, love this site! Gotta confess im only here because i cant afford a decent VW Transporter T4 yet but... For now its the good ol transit!

Ok my budget is currently £1000-1500 max.

I am looking for a transit to keep my ebay gear in & to occasionally move things about but not heavy use. I am also intending to use it as a bit of a shelter on days out with my 5 year old daughter whom i will be taking out on days out so it will be a safe haven when we need to chill out and eat or just rest. Obviously i will need to lay carpet fit light and tidy it up & I need a Semi so i can stand. Im avoiding a LWB because of fuel costs and parking etc.

So, here are my optons..

1. I have offered 1500 but he refused and now he has relisted it. I have bidded 1K so farhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=018

2. I like the side windows but i think price may go pretty highhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=001

3.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=013 Paintwork looks dodgy and not sure of milage but this could be good if its genuine. opinions.....

4. I have made an offer of £800. He has accepted although i am aware that milage is rather high although it seems all work is done and van is good to go. Opinions...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=006

[chadmat]

1. Seems a bit dear at 2000
2. Seems ok
3. I like this one, needs tidying but has a rev counter and mileage looks genuine, all the numbers are level.
4. Not bad for the money.

1&3 do have all the toys,
Mileage isn't really an issue, as long as it's been serviced.
Hope this helps.

[Luke]

tricky they all look ok mabe the silver one is bad close up but mabe not

personally i'd go with your £800 and look at it check out this welding and if your not happy walk away - its an off ebay offer isnt it? if your happy with the van but its not as good as you thought offer him less- nowt to loose

and there all better than a VW Transporter

[gemini]

1. best one, stands well, mileage high for the money

2. dont seem to bad, if you like side windows

3. not proper transit speedo so mileage could be wrong, looks a mess, how they managed to miss the mirror arms as they have sprayed everything else

4. looks like its done more mileage than number 1

[dann-b-e]

cheers guys - i think the silver one is truly out of the deal. Regarding no 4 the seller has said the following "hi, power steering works well. side door is good, and locks. tyres are ok, they passed mot the other day, mot inspector said middle third is good, edges are worn, but he didn't write it up as an advisory. - what is middle third?
He also said "its a transit 80, and is mot'd in the car class. i am the third owner. first was a carpenty company, second was a testing department of a local council. i don't know how many miles the cam belt has done, i changed summer of 05, and was going to do it this summer as a mater of routine maintainance, not becaause it looks worn or crispy" well he seems honesy enough so i will call him tomorrow to view. guess better get on the national expess javascript:emoticon(':oops:')
Embarassed[/u]

[MarkM]

mot inspector said middle third is good, edges are worn, but he didn't write it up as an advisory. - what is middle third?
He also said "its a transit 80, and is mot'd in the car class.

Divide a tyre into 3 and the two outer edges are the thirds that have wear

Mine is a 120 and gets tested at a normal MOT station, as a light commercial which is PLG. That isn't to say that your local tester will be willingly to do the test, many will say no just because they don't want big white slabs taking up the parking spaces.
It is simply bigging up the details, but only the very large Transits have to have a different test...and of course recovery vehicles but that is a whole different can of worms so to say a Transit can be tested as a car is just padding on the listing

[chadmat]

3. Looks like Mondy clocks!

[gemini]

3. Looks like Mondy clocks!

they are

[chadmat]

I should've known really.
I have two sets sat in me garage!!!!

[dann-b-e]

so guys im off in the morning to sunny newport to meet the welshman & to see this lovelyish van!
Pray i will make it back to oxford alive! (Or at least with an intact cambelt!)
Cheers for all your help. Will post some pix when i get back.
Laters.

[dann-b-e]

well it wasnt quite what i expected - bodywork was quite tatty & the owner didnt even talk me round the van just stood there - also no stereo just a big gaping gap and worn seats. I kindly said that it wasnt as clean as i was expecting he then bluntly said 'right' and just took off!
Will have to keep on looking i guess. Also the semi hi roof isnt really as high as i thought... This is getting more complicated..

[gemini]

i didnt think that would be any good. this one looks tidy



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-TRANSIT-CLEA ... 0105732418

[dann-b-e]

hi thanks - i really would prefer higher roof & if its gonna be a strong color maybe green!

Im gonna bid on this one - well im gonna go see it today & then decide if i will bid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=012

[gemini]

when you are looking for a secondhand van you have to forget the colour and find a good one or you could end up buying yourself a load of work

[dann-b-e]

Thanks i know mechanical condition is important but my sister would never forgive me for changing from a yellow mk4 escort to a Orange Transit