Just looking for wisdom from others who’ve been there, done it and got the t-shirt.
We’re looking to buy a new to us van.
We need a longitudinal bed in a shorter van owing to my other half’s height and needing to use as a second vehicle if weather bad.
This is an upgrade from a 2004 Bongo because the Labrador doesn’t fit…. And yes we want 4 belted seats!
This is a van for the next 5-10 years when retirement will be nearer and requirements different, and we’ll have had time to save some more pennies.
Vans we’ve been looking at are mostly 2007-2010. Not least as the layout we need seems available in a slightly shorter vehicle.
We’ve seen a few at reasonable price but not really acted on them and regretted it when the next is almost double despite age and condition not appearing to be that different for same model. Devon Camargue (Renault base vehicle), LaStrada Trento/ Pronto (Ford) and similar type have all been looked at.
Latest is a Murvi Morello on a 2005 fiat ducato base, so a little older.
1. Is this too old?
2. Is there anything specific we need to look out for in a 2005 fiat ducato?
3. Are there areas where rust occurs (remember we have a Bongo so we’re used to this conversation)?
4. Any weird mechanical issues? Parkers van guide suggests 2002 face-lift to 2006 Ducatos generally a good base vehicle.
5. Best way to get a pre-purchase check? Google companies local to buyer? Or use national company?
Lastly if we walk away from this one any top tips on getting prices significantly reduced on others which meet the bill but seem to have had price tags escalated up up up. Is it sufficient to say we found this other one that was only….
We are definitely prepared to walk away if it’s not right and have done with cars in the past. But haggling is not a strength for either of us.
We’re looking to buy a new to us van.
We need a longitudinal bed in a shorter van owing to my other half’s height and needing to use as a second vehicle if weather bad.
This is an upgrade from a 2004 Bongo because the Labrador doesn’t fit…. And yes we want 4 belted seats!
This is a van for the next 5-10 years when retirement will be nearer and requirements different, and we’ll have had time to save some more pennies.
Vans we’ve been looking at are mostly 2007-2010. Not least as the layout we need seems available in a slightly shorter vehicle.
We’ve seen a few at reasonable price but not really acted on them and regretted it when the next is almost double despite age and condition not appearing to be that different for same model. Devon Camargue (Renault base vehicle), LaStrada Trento/ Pronto (Ford) and similar type have all been looked at.
Latest is a Murvi Morello on a 2005 fiat ducato base, so a little older.
1. Is this too old?
2. Is there anything specific we need to look out for in a 2005 fiat ducato?
3. Are there areas where rust occurs (remember we have a Bongo so we’re used to this conversation)?
4. Any weird mechanical issues? Parkers van guide suggests 2002 face-lift to 2006 Ducatos generally a good base vehicle.
5. Best way to get a pre-purchase check? Google companies local to buyer? Or use national company?
Lastly if we walk away from this one any top tips on getting prices significantly reduced on others which meet the bill but seem to have had price tags escalated up up up. Is it sufficient to say we found this other one that was only….
We are definitely prepared to walk away if it’s not right and have done with cars in the past. But haggling is not a strength for either of us.
