Ross - me here. I just got my van in November from
www.vansdirect.co.uk and spoke to Paul Batterby - he's very good about explaining whether you are vat registered and if so or if not, which package to go for.
I had an old estate car until two months ago and have bought a new Fiat Doblo 1.3SX with a 730kg payload and a mvw of 2000kg - this might be important. ((Because if the mvw is over 2000kg (like the Transit connect/scudo and the Doblo 1.9)) you have certain speed restrictions on dual carriageways and national speed limit roads)
I've had the vehicle two months - it's the SX model with side doors (very important to me) and metal bulkhead as standard and it cost just under £600 down and 4 years monthly rentals of £179 (all inc vat) - at the end of four years I have to dispose of the vehicle for at least 2K to break even. As my mileage is low I should have no probs in that. (or I can trade in)
All the above is tax deductable.
It has a trip computer and even with my stop/start local driving I get 44mpg and on a gentle run, over 50mpg.
Because it's a 1.3 (1250 turbo actually) it is a low emissions road fund license (first year included in the price). It's quite nippy for what it is too.
It has a three year warranty/100,000 miles. (No MOT's for three years)
I am saving so much in fuel (I only do about 600 miles a month, mind) that that pays half my rental compared to my old Honda car - take into account no garage bills/MOT's/road tax - and being tax deductable then it almost pays for itself in comparison.
However - having so much more room - even with 400l on board (and with my payload you could go to about 550l and have 180Kg left over for you and other gear) I find I am working more quickly and not having to move stuff about.
Ross - I've never gone new in my life - I just wish I had done this sooner - it's not about depreciation for me (If it had been a private car, like you I would hate the idea) but about it being a business tool that does the job.
FWIW it got "van of the year" for 2006 too.
BTW - If I needed 3 seats and higher payload I would have gone scudo - even if it is mvw of 2300kg.