Van or 4x4

[Tim M]

OK the time has come again for me to change my vehicle. I need something that has a bit more towing ability than my current Focus estate. Not only that but I need something with a bit more load space as the jobs Im doing now involve carrying a fair bit of gear in the car. Im currently pondering over either a Landrover freelander (2l diesel 5 door) or a Vauxhall Vivaro van (1.9l diesel).
The arguements are as follows:
Freelander : its a car so is going to be more comfortable for long distance runs (which i do regularly) and is going to be well suited to the slipway.
Vivaro: loads of load space, good for towing, economical, cheaper insurance than the freelander (im an insurance companies worst nightmare: 20, 3 points, accident last year so no no-claims). I think the van will also be cheaper to maintain.

So that is my current thinking. Practiclly I think the van will be better, although being a van Im slightly worried about it being uncomfortable and hard to park. The only other issue is purchase price: I can get a much newer van than freelander for the money.

Any input greatfully received

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Practiclly I think the van will be better, although being a van Im slightly worried about it being uncomfortable and hard to park.

Any input greatfully received

Toughen up a bit and learn to drive properly?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

John

[Rogue Wave]

that's a funny boat name you've got there JK is it named after a baby hare or something!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Tim M

im an insurance companies worst nightmare: 20, 3 points, accident last year so no no-claims

Actually you are an insurance companies favourite customer - "a high risk" therefore a "high premium".

[taurus]

Go for the van, just as comfy and less likely to suffer the fate of many land rovers (had a 3 year old freelander that engine blew up, new engine, luckily within 2 months of warranty going out of date. Build an easily removable bed base, chuck an ordinary double bed matress in, camping gas cooker, hey presto, cheap weekends away.

[roofer]

I use renault traffic vans for work, same as vivaro and they are more comfy to drive than my shogun and discovery. Make sure you buy the 100hp 6 speed gearbox van though, the smaller engines are gutless.

[Neil Harvey]

Are you thinking of the TD4 freelander, or the old 2l D?
Makes a big difference from what I've read in places. I don't think the basic diesels were that gutsy, but the TD4 I drove seemed quite good.

Also, will the freelander be big enough? Quite a small boot with the seats up, and not much difference from the Focus I wouldn't think with the seats down, although you do gain on height.

How about something different like a Toyota Hilux Surf? The 3l TDs are great, good for towing, loads of space, long enough to sleep in, and they can be insured with Direct Line as an example. No idea how much insurance for you would be though. I loved mine - wish I had not sold it really, but thats the benefit of hindsight.

[vince]

Nice van Taurus! Great for chuckin stuff in the back, and pulls the boat like its not there. I had a Renault, but you do need the 6 gears. Also had a td4, pulls well, but once all the family in, no room. (sorry it was getting dark)

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

Are you thinking of the TD4 freelander, or the old 2l D?
Makes a big difference from what I've read in places. I don't think the basic diesels were that gutsy, but the TD4 I drove seemed quite good.

Also, will the freelander be big enough? Quite a small boot with the seats up, and not much difference from the Focus I wouldn't think with the seats down, although you do gain on height.

How about something different like a Toyota Hilux Surf? The 3l TDs are great, good for towing, loads of space, long enough to sleep in, and they can be insured with Direct Line as an example. No idea how much insurance for you would be though. I loved mine - wish I had not sold it really, but thats the benefit of hindsight.

Actually the older 2L diesel is a cracking engine - good for over 200,000 miles. It has far more low down grunt than the TD4 but not quite as good at very high speeds - old engine was 105bhp - TD4 110 - not much difference!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by taurus

Go for the van, just as comfy and less likely to suffer the fate of many land rovers (had a 3 year old freelander that engine blew up, new engine, luckily within 2 months of warranty going out of date. Build an easily removable bed base, chuck an ordinary double bed matress in, camping gas cooker, hey presto, cheap weekends away.

A Freelander is not a proper Landrover and the diesels are fine. For what it is the Freelander is excellent when compared to Honda CRVs etc but not in the same league as a proper offroader!!!

[Pete7]

Tim, why not hire a freelander for a weekend and see how you get on with it. Time it for a weekend towing job.

Pete

[Nos4r2]

You'll probably find a freelander a PITA to park too unless it's got a reversing camera or a parking mirror. Normal car bonnets are below the level of a 4x4 rear window. Vans are hard to insure for private use but if you do what I did when I bought a cheapo midi van to move with you'll get a good deal.

Leave your details with at least 10 companies after closing time via the net and let them ring you the next day. Play them against one another.

I got mine from £300/year for TPO down to £110 for TPFT...

[Tim M]

I was pleasently suprised on the insurance front; £1500 for the van (thats' just £50 more than my car and covers commercial use)

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I was pleasently suprised on the insurance front; £1500 for the van (thats' just £50 more than my car and covers commercial use)

Christ.

Ring round. I know I'm older than you but that £110 for tpft was a commercial policy (carrying own goods only) that allowed private use. It came from Highway Insurance.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Christ.

Ring round. I know I'm older than you but that £110 for tpft was a commercial policy (carrying own goods only) that allowed private use. It came from Highway Insurance.

Nos, last year I paid over £2200 for comprehensive insurance on the Disco. Similar position to Tim - 3 points, a disputed accident meaning 0 no claims, and a large car. TPFT only brought it down to £2050. (Having my older sister on the policy as Named Driver brought it down from £2400 to £2200 )

Young drivers in big cars - especially with an accident on the history, and the insurance companies are laughing all the way to the bank!

[Nos4r2]

I know it's always going to be high-my girlfriend was paying nearly £1000 for fully comp on her 1800 4 door Golf at age 23 (2 years ago) with no NCD- but seriously, talk to highway. I've shopped around for years and they always get the lowest quote. They'll insure pretty much anything too-they insured me on some of my more insane toys without batting an eyelid. See below for an example... 2.1 litre q-plated Volvo trike.

[codprawn]

For Discos try the NFU - they were £600 cheaper for me!!!

[Tony]

What about pushing the boat out and getting a JEEP Grand Cherokee srt8? it would be more than able to do the job. Also every time you drive it, it would surely make you smile!!!

http://www.jeep.co.uk/jeep/versions.aspx?ID=465,18,162

[Simon B]

Tim,

Have tried a van lately? drove transit 4 years ago and that was more comfortable than most cars. Gearbox had slightly different feel to it. I'd go for the van, you can always fit it out with crew seats and window if required.

Checkout farmers union my families 3 vehicles are all insured with them including my 22 year old daughter on a Mazda 1.7i for about £550 ish I think.

[Jimbo]

Farmers union won't let you use them unless you're over 25, or your family already does business with them.