So my commodore is in the nursing home with dementia... and I've been googling vans as a replacement. I'm keen to find something second hand with a few criteria...
Hold lots of boards and sails
Tow at least 1.6T, prefer 2T
Auto so my wife can use it too
No sleeper, I'm not aloud out after dark
Decent service pricing
Diesel or Petrol
I've used Car websites and found a few that match my hard criteria.
VW Transit nice and compact
Toyota HiAce has a nice lot of room with forward seats and no nose
Merc Ambo looks quite roomy! Call the wind doctor, it's an emergency. Woo Woo
iLoad doesn't have the towing capacity
Ford Transit has a few fans
Vertical tail lift is good for a bit of shade...
Long noses are better for safety (maybe)...
Compact vans fit in stack up car parks...
Long high vans fit more stuff...
Any advice, what have you got and what do you like about it?
Any good load out ideas? Efficient space use is always good!
Have 2015 Nissan 350 which is 2 liter petrol automatic. It has a certified 3 seater bench seat with seatbelts and folds and rotates forward for max space. I need the seating for kid and friends. With roof racks for boards if nreded it has plenty of internal space.
That style pushes more air and reflects on higher cost than hatchbacks.
The Toyota's were so much more price wise and yes lower resale but more affordable.
Googling gets you some fun places...
Who ya gonna call... wind bustas
$5k @ bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-oldsmobile-ninety-eight-cotner-bevington-ambulance/
Budget?
I don't think your saltwater excuse is very good for not buying a new car.
+1 for the new Hi-Ace .. depreciation is the biggest cost and this will be ahead of the rest .. unless you buy something cheap, hence old and unsafe.
^+1 what he said. Diesel is in no way a better option any more. Fuel cost,service cost n initial purchase price kills any fuel economy gains.
Just sayin
VW T5 has 2T tow capacity. Mine has easily towed that across the country twice!
get the 2.5L 5cylinder diesel. gear driven cams so no belts or chains to replace.
Hello, Berowne,
Some Interesting van vs. engine points were raised here that might help you: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/New-Toyota-Hiace-van-to-be-released-mid-year?page=1
This ball weight thing varies from state to state, in WA its only 10% so that is obviously safe if you have a brain.
Other states want 15% so hey ........
The ball weight limit could very easily be increased with air bag suspensiion added to rear.
Or, as per big caravans a load levelling hitch (torsion bars) so the ball weight is perfect.
Its all possible.... if you really need to.
As long as the trailer weight does not exceed the vehicle weight of course, its really not fun when the tail wags the dog......
Mark, i dont think the addition of airbags changes anything legally (eg ball weight) here in Qld. Just makes it a comfier n level ride. A Blue plate certified modded suspension may be the only way.
Diesel is now a no no. In order to hit emissions targets they are squeezed to within an inch of their lives. Most 2.5-3L (esp turbo diesel motors) are only good to 150-200K's. The days of a diesel work horse lasting to 400K and running on cheap fuel are a memory. Id vote for the Merc sprinter ex Ambo. Lots available so prices are competitive , almost all are well maintained being ex government , lots of space inside with easy access, very customisable, good suspension, high load capacity, often with awesome aircon, German reliability, and you get to feel important driving one. If the family agree you can squeeze a fully rigged up rig inside (smaller sails not 9&12Meters) so pull up at the beach and just tension up and go!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Toyota-Hiace-1999/SSE-AD-6004928/?Cr=0
3.0 litre Turbo Diesel engine
Rotating seats, so can be easily changed from windsurfing mode to people mover within seconds
Exists as a 4wd (as well as a 2wd)
Plenty of towing power and beefed up pedders conversion allows you to tow most things.
Lots of electric things including
-lots of sun/moon roofs, windows, retracting mirrors, built in compressor fridge between driver and passenger seats, electric curtains.
-front and rear aircon
-dark tinted windows
-fully lined interior that dampens road noise
-long body that even hold sups (up to about 9ft) without them encroaching into driver/passenger area
-many upgraded features that don't exist in regular Hiaces.
-Highly recommend!