Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars to
ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again! I've
decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can cart about bags
of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good for
this though. I'd like something practical with loads of storage space and
easy to load/unload, but still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for
Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips gratefully
appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

Ben C wrote:
Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars
to ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again!
I've decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can
cart about bags of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what
vans/cars would be good for this though. I'd like something
practical with loads of storage space and easy to load/unload, but
still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips
gratefully appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

Another budding "white van man" in the making I fear.

BillR wrote:
Ben C wrote:
Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars
to ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again!
I've decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can
cart about bags of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what
vans/cars would be good for this though. I'd like something
practical with loads of storage space and easy to load/unload, but
still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips
gratefully appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

Another budding "white van man" in the making I fear.

I absolutely point blank refuse to have white vans at work, don't even like
white cars really but that's just me being awkward.
What do you want to put in it?
Do you need something Transit sized to get an 8x4 flat in the back or would
the likes of an Astravan be nearer the mark? We've got a Peugeot Partner and
I reckon it's a cracking good wagon for it's size and the more upright
driving position is very comfortable.
Maybe an estate car could do both jobs, just make sure you use seat covers
when it's in work mode though otherwise it soon starts looking tatty.

--
James...
http://www.jameshart.co.uk/

"Ben C" wrote in message
...
Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars to
ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again! I've
decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can cart about
bags
of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good for
this though. I'd like something practical with loads of storage space and
easy to load/unload, but still respectable enough for taking to my mum's
for
Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips gratefully
appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben


Have you considered using a *normal* car (i.e. one you would choose for
normal use) but towing a trailer to carry your building materials? The car
won't then get damaged by bricks and bags of cement etc. - and you can leave
the trailer behind when you go to your Mum's for lunch!

Roger

On Fri, 7 Nov 2003 21:50:43 -0000, "Ben C" wrote:

Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars to
ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again! I've
decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can cart about bags
of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good for
this though. I'd like something practical with loads of storage space and
easy to load/unload, but still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for
Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips gratefully
appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

How about a vauxhall combo?. Ive just got rid of one of these at work
after having driven it for maybe 4 years. It was a 1700cc deisel and
was on the road night and day/summer and winter and it was very
reliable,economical and best of all,it was good at the traffic light
grand prix!!plenty of whoomph even though it had loads of tools and
gear in the back. Checkout your local auctions for Transco ex fleet
vans.

It was replaced by a nissan vannette 2.3 diesel. Its a good van as far
as driver comfort and space is concerned but its a waste of 2 and a
half litres becuase its gutless!!,my old combo could cane it no
problem but the vanette is a take it easy kinda cruiser,not bad though
all in all.

joe

"Ben C" wrote:

Hello Ben

BC| I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using
BC| rental cars to ferry building materials around, and I can't
BC| face doing it again! I've decided I need to buy a very
BC| practical car/van so that I can cart about bags of cement,
BC| timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good
BC| for this though. I'd like something practical with loads of
BC| storage space and easy to load/unload, but still respectable
BC| enough for taking to my mum's for Sunday lunch!

Ex GPO 3.5 tonner hi-top LDV vans are sold at auction after they reach
100-110k for 2.5k to be flogged on at 3-3.5k later on. Good for at
least another 100k. Mine's a roller door and is great. Uses the
Transit 2.5litre non-turbo diesel engine and gearbox, does 25-30mpg,
cruises at 70+. Mine has a teddy bear tied to its grille.

Takes a 1 tonne dumpy bag if the forklift driver's not a complete
muppet, 12' gates/planks, phenominal amount of space. Dead easy to
drive, but can be a problem to park.

Only downsides to van ownership: Friends pestering you to shift stuff,
and breakins from scrotes wondering what interesting things you're
hiding if you leave it parked in rough areas.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK
uk.d-i-y FAQ: http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/

I always have a large estate car. Last time a Renault Savannah for 13 years
and now a Mondeo. Also always with a towbar to use with my trailer if
necessary.

Rob Graham

In article ,
Huge wrote:
A friend bought an elderly Volvo estate for this very purpose. He said it
was much better than a van.

Wonder what the difference was?

--
*If I worked as much as others, I would do as little as they *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

"Simon Avery" wrote in message
...
"Ben C" wrote:

Hello Ben

BC| I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using
BC| rental cars to ferry building materials around, and I can't
BC| face doing it again! I've decided I need to buy a very
BC| practical car/van so that I can cart about bags of cement,
BC| timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good
BC| for this though. I'd like something practical with loads of
BC| storage space and easy to load/unload, but still respectable
BC| enough for taking to my mum's for Sunday lunch!

Ex GPO 3.5 tonner hi-top LDV vans are sold at auction after they reach
100-110k for 2.5k to be flogged on at 3-3.5k later on. Good for at
least another 100k. Mine's a roller door and is great. Uses the
Transit 2.5litre non-turbo diesel engine and gearbox, does 25-30mpg,
cruises at 70+. Mine has a teddy bear tied to its grille.

Takes a 1 tonne dumpy bag if the forklift driver's not a complete
muppet, 12' gates/planks, phenominal amount of space. Dead easy to
drive, but can be a problem to park.

Only downsides to van ownership: Friends pestering you to shift stuff,
and breakins from scrotes wondering what interesting things you're
hiding if you leave it parked in rough areas.



And dont' forget the other downside - you'll be assumed to be a commercial
operation at the local tip....


--
Richard Sampson

email me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

"robgraham" wrote in message ...
I always have a large estate car. Last time a Renault Savannah for 13 years
and now a Mondeo. Also always with a towbar to use with my trailer if
necessary.

Rob Graham

I use a ford galaxy with a roof rack and a trailer, but with planning
I get 99% delivered free by the mearchants. I use the trailer a lot
for waste to local tip and have not had any problems. I would check on
insurance it maybe a lot more for a van than say an old estate, Id go
for an old volvo, cheap to buy ,good size and should not be too
expensive to insure. Rob

"rob w" wrote in message
om


I would check on
insurance it maybe a lot more for a van than say an old estate, Id go
for an old volvo, cheap to buy ,good size and should not be too
expensive to insure. Rob

I always buy estates, something in the 2 litre range. I have never had a
Volvo but hear tell they are the best. They were among the best for
build
quality decades before Leyland got their act together. Mind you they are
designed for conditions in Sweden.

They are beloved of antiques dealers as their capacity is the greatest.
But any old estate car is adequate. The only problem is addressed above;
thieves can get a good look in. So wire mesh is a must for regular users
with loads of tools. And a set of padlocks fitted too if you are leaving
tools lying around.

I've toyed with the idea of locking most of the doors with hasps and
staples internally just using the driver and rear doors. Never got
around to it though. I just carry all my gear up the stairs to my flat
night and day. I know where it is then, right in front of me when I get
up in the middle of the night to fall over it.



--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

"Michael Mcneil" wrote in message news:2f763032f5c6a0ac17a3f1e0671a8131.45219@mygat e.mailgate.org...
"rob w" wrote in message
om


I would check on
insurance it maybe a lot more for a van than say an old estate, Id go
for an old volvo, cheap to buy ,good size and should not be too
expensive to insure. Rob

I always buy estates, something in the 2 litre range. I have never had a
Volvo but hear tell they are the best. They were among the best for
build
quality decades before Leyland got their act together. Mind you they are
designed for conditions in Sweden.

They are beloved of antiques dealers as their capacity is the greatest.
But any old estate car is adequate. The only problem is addressed above;
thieves can get a good look in. So wire mesh is a must for regular users
with loads of tools. And a set of padlocks fitted too if you are leaving
tools lying around.

I've toyed with the idea of locking most of the doors with hasps and
staples internally just using the driver and rear doors. Never got
around to it though. I just carry all my gear up the stairs to my flat
night and day. I know where it is then, right in front of me when I get
up in the middle of the night to fall over it.


I'd have to agree with the estate car idea. Cheaper to insure (others
may have found different) and no problems taking stuff to the tip. If
your local authority is anything like mine, don't even try turning up
in a van at the tip whatever it's size.

A Mondeo Estate is pretty big and being Ford it's quite reliable
(albeit dull). I've a hatchback Mondeo and I can fit a cement mixer in
the back without too much trouble.

Ben C wrote:

Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars to
ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again! I've
decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can cart about bags
of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good for
this though. I'd like something practical with loads of storage space and
easy to load/unload, but still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for
Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips gratefully
appreciated.


I use a long wheelbase landrover, but its not the cheapest or most ideal
vehicle.

Actually any big estate car with a tow bar and trailer is what you need

if you also want it for social use: Otherwise you can't beat a small pickup truck.


The cots of an old one plus insurance versus car hire often shows you
can buy, use, and throw it away at a profit.


Cheers,
Ben

On Fri, 7 Nov 2003 21:50:43 -0000, "Ben C" wrote:

Hi

I've just gone through a major house refurbishment using rental cars to
ferry building materials around, and I can't face doing it again! I've
decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can cart about bags
of cement, timber, etc. I have no idea what vans/cars would be good for
this though. I'd like something practical with loads of storage space and
easy to load/unload, but still respectable enough for taking to my mum's for
Sunday lunch!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to drive? Any tips gratefully
appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

How about a vauxhall combo?. Ive just got rid of one of these at work
after having driven it for maybe 4 years. It was a 1700cc deisel and
was on the road night and day/summer and winter and it was very
reliable,economical and best of all,it was good at the traffic light
grand prix!!plenty of whoomph even though it had loads of tools and
gear in the back. Checkout your local auctions for Transco ex fleet
vans.

It was replaced by a nissan vannette 2.3 diesel. Its a good van as far
as driver comfort and space is concerned but its a waste of 2 and a
half litres becuase its gutless!!,my old combo could cane it no
problem but the vanette is a take it easy kinda cruiser,not bad though
all in all.

joe

In article ,
Huge wrote:
A friend bought an elderly Volvo estate for this very purpose. He
said it was much better than a van.

Wonder what the difference was?

Side windows.

Of course.

--
*Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

(Simon Avery) wrote in message ...

Mine has a teddy bear tied to its grille.

Teddy Bear Protection League where are you? I remember the dustbin
lorry that used to come to our house had one in the seventies...

Time moves on but teddy bears still get treated badly!

I suppose it makes parking safer? soft landing if you get my drift...

A Mondeo Estate is pretty big and being Ford it's quite reliable
(albeit dull).

I don't think the new-shape ones are dull (in comparison with estate cars in
general - which are not known for their sporting qualities).

Rob

Ben C wrote:
I've decided I need to buy a very practical car/van so that I can...

Depending on budget:
Cheap estate + trailer, or Renault Kangoo / Citroen Berlingo in car versions
(even Clarkson likes it), depreciation on them both is about 50% in the
first year.
Domestic insurance on a diesel van is outrageously expensive, just try a
quote.

--
Toby.

'One day son, all this will be finished'