Should it be a Van or Car?

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DaveH

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Hi, my first post :D

I am currently looking at what kind of vehicle to get as I passed my test last December, at the rip old age of 25. Really wish I had learnt years ago now.

Anyway I am currently trying to decide whether to get a van or a car. I work as a Self-employed labourer/carpenter/dogsbody. I like the idea of a van to store my tools and carry materials. However the advantage of a car is its more useful for social use, driving with friends etc.

Any help with this would be useful Thanks.
 
Chap who lived upstairs from me when I lived in the flat was a jobbing chippie who tended to store his tools in his van, 'till they were stolen out of the back.

Cheers Mike
 
Hi and welcome

the way I look at it is to ask your self a few questions

1) what the main use going to be ......work or play?

2) how many of your friends have cars?

and 3) if you had a car how often would you thing "I wish I had gone down the van route

I'm only a hobby DIYer and newish woodworker ....... I work full time in a uni but I still would like a van to pick up timber/supplies and cart my tools back and forth from my family as I do jobs for them
 
Dave

Welcome to the forum.

If you want to best of both worlds why not get an estate, unless its a big van you're looking for?
 
Well Dave I have an Estate car a rather large Volvo one but still can't carry some of the large sheets of materials or wood I often use. I am looking into buying a Transit van as this would suit my needs admirably. Three seats in the front and plenty of space in the rear for tools and timber. I already have a van vault kindly donated to me from Mel so it's a start. Besides a diesel van has got to be cheaper to run than my 225BHP gas gobbler! :)
 
Having just been through much the same thing myself (see 'can you fit a sheet of plywood in that' thread here on this forum, don't rule out the van-with-more-seats (aka MPV) option.

I just agreed the deal on my one today and should be picking it up on Wednesday.
 
Thanks for the advice. Still unsure :roll: . I am looking at something like a Renault Kangoo for the van or something like the Peugeot 306 for the car. I cannot get anything to big as the insurance will be astronomical and plus I have a budget of about £2000 to buy the vehicle which will be my first after passing in december last year.

In either case I am really looking forward to being able to carry more tools instead of what I can get in my rucksack and ride on my bicycle to work with. Also being able to get to college for my woodworking course quickly instead of having to wait for the stupid buses :lol:
 
Hi Dave welcome,

No contest, get the van,if you're sure this is your chosen profession, earn enough money and then buy a car.

Good luck

Dom
 
Get a van, I have an Astravan
I prefered the lower roof van as Im always using the roof rack,
IIRC the kangoo is pretty tall for a small van, could be a right pain when your told to get a few lengths of 4 x 2 or soemthing
 
Ha, I've just done exactly what you are thinking about DaveH. I already had an estate car but found that as a car it was rubbish. So I've just bought a little 1.5D Kangoo. The interior is not as plush as the car, but it will be more practical. Also it will be more secure for leaving tools in at the job site. I always put mine in the garage when I get home, but that's not possible when you go on a job. All your stuff s on show in an estate, if you park in a town centre - it will be gone. This has happened 3 times to me now. Unless you get separate insurance the tools are not covered on your policy either. DAMHIKT. :evil:

I have not collected the van yet, I should have it by weekend.
BTW youre not my Dad are you :shock: He's Dave H(arrison) :wink:

Lee.
 
I had (have until weekend)a 306 Hdi too. DON'T get a peugeot. I've had it 3 years, it's cost £19k in parts and servicing! A total nightmare. Before that I had the newer 307, I had that 6 weeks and told them to take it back. It was the most unreliable car I have ever been in. I decide to get the slightly used 306 figuring that any problems with an older model would have been ironed out. What a mistake.

Lee.
 
I think now I am getting a van, waiting for the funds from the loan to clear and then of I go searching.

Who are the best and cheapest for van insurance?

Also who does insurance for the tools in the back of the van as well?


Thanks in advance.
 
A friend of mine passed his test at the age of 19 and his first vehicle was an old K-reg diesel Escort van. He rang round various insurance providers, looking for 3rd party fire and theft cover (private use only), and found the best deal by far, for him, was by Norwich Union.

A nice bonus was that when he switched to a W-reg Transit (after maybe 17 months with the Escort and no claims), the premium barely increased :D

I would say, though, just because N.U. worked out cheapest for him that's not to say that they would necessarily be best for you.

Can't speak for insurance for the contents/tools, but I'm sure someone else will be along soon with relevant experience. I wonder if you might find the best deal would be from one insurer who'll cover both aspects.

Hope that is of some use

Cheers

Neil
 
I had this dilemma last year. I didn't want to lose the family car (a Vauxhall Zafira) but needed a van for work.

Solution - I bought a trailer off ebay.

It comfortably takes 8x4 boards, 3m lengths of timber, I can deliver a full kitchen or bedroom in it, and if I'm on a fitting job I load up all my tools and my old Elu flip-over saw and I've got a mobile workshop.

When I don't need it I just leave it on my driveway and whizz around in the car.

It is the best £1000 I've ever spent. I don't think I'll ever have a van again.

Cheers
Brad
 
HI Brad

Can you post a pic of your trailer as I have get a car and a trailer like you have would be all I need :)

Regards Colin
 

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