[AuRavelling79]

I'm a bit cheesed that my five year old doblo 1.3 jtd (which is brilliant) needs replacing due to me having completely outgrown it. It's only on 30,000 miles.

It's fine as a one man set up and I'm running it as a two man by pulling a trailer - but I really need a bigger van of at least 1000kg payload and as I want to keep this one "forever" (ten years plus) I want to go bigger with 1200kg but not getting into longer vans.

What do you think?

[Moderator David@stives]

T32 has a 1.4 tone payload

I have the combi version, it has been  a good van. but after 5 years i can see some expensive problems just around the corner.

[Alex Gardiner]

I think that any van kept for 10 years would end up costing you a bit in repairs - although probably cheaper than replacing every 4 years.

Having spent some time fitting systems to various vans and with my own experience, the most important things for long term use are the ability to resist corrosion and reliability. WFP = lots of damp in the van. Broken down van = money not earned. Because of this I would only consider getting a galvanised van and one of known reliability. This narrows the field down currently (as far as I know) to the Transporter or the Vito as they are both galvanised (although the T5 is completely galvanised unlike the Vito which is just the bodyshell).

I have had a Transporter now for just over 3 years from new and it really has been faultless. However I am planning on changing next year and am looking at the Vito because it has rear-wheel drive along with a partially lockable rear diff. The Transporter has been caught out in a few awkward situations with all the weight in the back and not over the driven wheels. One of our workers had to be towed off a steep angled drive after losing all traction on one front wheel.

If I were to choose one van for 10 years though I would stay with the Transporter as the quality of it is quite a bit better than the Vito - but for short term use the Vito will be fine (I am thinking based on a friends ownership experience).

Is the T5 worth the extra? In my opinion yes.

[bad trippy]

I'm a bit cheesed that my five year old doblo 1.3 jtd (which is brilliant) needs replacing due to me having completely outgrown it. It's only on 30,000 miles.

It's fine as a one man set up and I'm running it as a two man by pulling a trailer - but I really need a bigger van of at least 1000kg payload and as I want to keep this one "forever" (ten years plus) I want to go bigger with 1200kg but not getting into longer vans.

What do you think?

Go test drive a scudo 07 onwards, it will blow you away Malc, The engine is sweet as a nut, its a great van for the money, with two side loading doors, and the space is greater than the mk1 and mk2 models.
I test drove one in Kingswood before christmas, and i fell in love with it.
As you know Malc, ive just nailed a dispatch, same van but the pay load is 988, as opposed to tyhe 1,200 odd of the scudo.
Nice motor mate, my advice is to test drive both the scudo and vw, but remember the vw has only 1 side door and is more pricey on parts, although will hold its price better

[Moderator David@stives]

my T5 has got 2 sliding doors

[Scrimble]

what about a new doblo maxi? they have 2 sliding doors and 1000kg payload?

[AuRavelling79]

what about a new doblo maxi? they have 2 sliding doors and 1000kg payload?

It's "just about enough" but I want 3 seats and room for expansion so 1200kg really - and I deffo want three seats this time as when the family car finally gets changed I want to let Mrs Gold get something she wants (smaller).

[gary evans]

Hi Gold

I have aToyota Hiace 03 had it from new.

Used & abused by employee, service every 12 months odd new tyre.

Its had one problem & that was the sliding door arm snapped, but, considering heavy handed employee thats really good.

I also have an 07 that i brought 12 months old from Toyata it was there demo van. Its the 120 bhp, lovely to drive & plusher than the older one, but i would expect 10 years from each of these.

Good Luck

Gary

[spongebob]

VW all the way. Had transits for nearly 20 years and although reliable the vw just drives like a car. The quality is there. I have a T5 LWB combi, 6 seats with the twin and single in the rear removable. Twin slide doors and rear tailgate which helps in the rain, 174bhp T32. fully loaded it handles perfect. I drive flat out everywhere and it still gives me 30mpg. I don't use it for the cleaning as I have a berlingo but if I was buying another I would probably go for the 130bhp with auto gearbox just for laziness. Mines done 60k and feels newer than my mates brand new transit.
If you can afford a combi then store the seats as it will hold its resale price better than a straight van.
Andy

[Dave Willis]

I've got a Hiace and wouldn't hesitate to get another. They don't drive like a car though, they are low geared, slow off the mark and a bit dated but reliability would appear unbeatable.
If I was Gold I'd go for the VW. Trouble is it's such a nice van it seems a shame to chuck a soggy tank in the back!
All a gamble at the end of the day, neither van will be worth much at ten years old, probably the price of an Extreme 48 might separate them at that age. My last two vans have been pretty battered from smacking the pole hose into them too fast and dragging hose against the tailgate etc. Not to mention the odd parking scrapes.

[rscleaningservices]

your best off lease hire can change for a new one 3-4 or 5 year lease claim back in ya tax & if ya vat registered you can claim that back to Ive got fiat scudo 59 plate hate it got one more year left & gonna go for the VW !!!!!!!!!

[sparkleglass]

got 51 plate vw transpoter, had it for 5 years great van pulls well mate (2.5 tdi) well worth the extra money .would get another one 

[rscleaningservices]

nice one sparkle good to hear Ive heard alot of good reviews on the VW cant wait to get one proper work horses !!!
Im looking to get a six speed  1.9tdi or 2.0 as I do alot of mileage and you know the bloody price of fuel is a joke ...Thats why I went for the 1.6 scudo big mistake as its only got 5 gears and with the motorway it seems to need the six gear & does loads of fuel so hopefully the fuel on the VW is much better !!!!!!

[AS Window Cleaning]

Just cant trust the mpg computer on them, every VW ive had has exaggerated fuel economy by about 10% 

Fancy getting me a 4motion next time around, apparently do them in the caddy and in the transporter........thats if i can afford it. 

My caddy only has 5 gears, 6 would be nice as above 65mph it does start to drop mpg, esp with the bigger wheels on

[rscleaningservices]

hopefully as the new ones are much better in fuel !!!!!!!

[bentsbrook27]

had 3 scudos and last year bit the bullet and bought new transporter with vat and extra side door £21000 a new scudo would have been about £13500 at first paying that much annoyed me but when i got back in the scudo while trying to sell it was a shock, so if you can afford it go for vw

[dotty]

know where theres a doblo going cheap im going to be changing to wfp do you think this will do as a starter what are they like on fuel and pulling

[Jimmy Jon]

had 3 scudos and last year bit the bullet and bought new transporter with vat and extra side door £21000 a new scudo would have been about £13500 at first paying that much annoyed me but when i got back in the scudo while trying to sell it was a shock, so if you can afford it go for vw

Got any pictures? 

[rscleaningservices]

I will defo go for the VW cheers Brentsbrook I find the scudo uncomfortable & its only a 1.6 with 5 gears load of rubbish !!!

[bad trippy]

I will defo go for the VW cheers Brentsbrook I find the scudo uncomfortable & its only a 1.6 with 5 gears load of rubbish !!!

should have got the 2 litre with 6 gears, 120 bhp