I am looking for a DIESEL van under $10000.
My list for investigation is
Toyota Hiace Commuter
Mercedes M140
Mercedes Vito
VW Transporter
Ford Transit
Would love everyones input especially problems, costs to repair and pitfalls to watch out for.
Just checked this UK site out last week, loads of interesting reviews including some that may just shock you if you're thinking that VW and Merc vans are well made and very reliable:http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/
Some great reviews from Hiace owners, also search recent posts on Seabreeze re vans, here's one that may interest you:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/recommendations-for-cheapdecent-van/?SearchTerms=vans
Wicked campers seem to love those old mitsubish L300 vans, buggered if I know why, but they do seem to keep going
Don't know why your list doesn't include the Delica, reliable, practical...ugly as a hat full of a*$#holes. But it's always there, just how I left it. Sometimes dented, sometimes scratched, once someone even tried to break into it. Don't know why but you probably could fit an atm machine inside the back.
Anyhoo, she always starts and hasn't let me down, might be worth a look.
Go the lwb.
My suggestion would be the VW. They are well made (I have the caddy maxi 1.9 TDI) and even though mine is only 2 years old my only issue with it has been - why the hell didn't I get one sooner. No issues so far with raliablity - not surprising I guess considering it's age. Good service spacing - every 15,000 km.
Over the years I have had different versions of many of the vans on you list, or considered them as an option. Give the Merc M140 a big miss, I have never met anyone that has been happy with one of these.
I had a vito up until recently and it went well, was reliable, just a bit expensive to repair. A good van for under 10k. I now have a VW, but hard to comment against your criteria as it is brand new, so obviously very nice, very comfy.
I have had a couple of Hiaces over the years, All have been good and reliable. I don't find them as comfortable as VW, or Vito to drive due to the seating position. And the step through on the euro vans is really handy for carrying longer items. Also the newest shape sufferes from a lack of leg room on the passenger side, with a non adjustable passenger seat. For safety I also prefer a van with the motor in front. For this you could have a look for a hiace SBV, just not sure on price or availability.
The Delica does seem popular, but when I looked into them, for the number of times I might used the 4wd option it just wasn't worth the extra in servicing and running costs that usually goes with 4wd.
Old Salty,
After extensive (ie 15 seconds on google), I have narrowed it down to 2 choices for you.
1)
2)
Please, you can thank me later...
Delicas are good, especially in the price range you are looking at. However they do have their issues. The diesel 2.8 TD, while not exactly notorious do have issues sometimes. I had to have the head replaced on mine. It warped and as a result was losing water. I had the head replaced along with new radiator, harmonic balancer and a few other things. It's been running brilliantly ever since.
I've just driven 600 kms today with no issues. There was no problems for my mechanic to source parts, a common concern with Delicas. There are so many in Australia there is a supply chain for them. The Delica is a great van but they can have issues.
Does anyone have an opinion on an old Toyota Tarago as a board carrier? They might be more comfortable to drive than many vans, but would they be big enough for Formula plus slalom gear etc? I'm on the lookout for a van too.
Old Salty, maybe you could track down the real thing minus the gang & Scoob:
Good LWB van, think you'll have to shoehorn a diesel into it though!
Top info and pic thanks nosinkanow. I'd probably remove the rear seats and Just use it for sailing gear. Looks like a 550 mast might fit too. The NSW formula events are scattered from Hawks Nest to Jarvis Bay so a fair bit of freeway driving is required. Much more comfortable in a Tarago over an old van. However Taragoes (and vans) aren't cheap even for a high milage weapon.