VW Transporter - yay/nay?

[mx wcfc]

I have a Mazda Bongo which is smaller and much cheaper than the Transporter, fits in a car parking space and often used as a daily vehicle. Old, thirsty and with their particular foibles though.

The newer Japanese campers are the Nissan Elgrand and the Toyota Granvia.

I'm looking for something a bit bigger, but the price of the VWs is ridiculous, you could get a bespoke conversion of an old Sprinter for less.

There's a Bongo specialist down the road from me and we went to look at them just before lockdown. The conversions this guy does are very good but we only need the pop up roof so I don't bump my head on the ceiling and they all had sleeping space up there. A lot of the detail was wasted on me (electric blinds, anyone?). I came away wanting a "proper" "van". They are a very decent option though for people who need a single vehicle that can do as a daily driver and a camper. They have a lot of fans.

 

[kalidarkone]

My X5 got stolen a couple of weeks ago and while I'm waiting for a new V5 and the insurance to stop dicking about, I've been driving a mate's 2008 Transporter. Tbh I had the X5 for 5 years and never really liked it that much. It's pretty obnoxious. It was brilliant hammering down motorways in Europe for days on end but I can't see much of that on the horizon.

The Transporter though; everything goes in it, it's comfortable, fast, better mpg than the X5, looks less cunty, extends the camping season to all year. The one I'm driving is LWB (and no reversing camera/beeper) so a bit of a twat to park but I've seen a few SWB versions parked around and the footprint doesn't seem much more than an SUV (Q7/X5/XC90 etc).

They are eyewateringly expensive though. Are there any rivals? Transit?

I had a go in a souped up T6, (lowered, 230hp, soundproofed interior), last week and though a bit over the top, it was brilliant to drive and I could still get 5 people, dog, tents, paddle boards and assorted shite in the back.

The one I'm driving is battered, smells a bit mildewy and has done 187,000 miles but is still going strong.

A van as a family car?

Any other vans?

Have you got/had a Transporter? How was/is it to live with?

I've gotta T4 transporter, no windows, its great really reliable. But......if I was going to get another van ( I'd like a taller one like a transit/ sprinter) which would be half the price of a vw.

 

[kalidarkone]

Also its just like a big car the seats in the back (3) turns into a bed and when i go camping i use an awning as the t4 is too small to cook in- infact its only good as a bedroom.
However you could get the same set up for a lot cheaper.

 

[ddraig]

Been looking for ages (saw a decent one yesterday but in different lockdown area)

Ideally a swb/mwb high top transit for both of us to be able to drive and park.
I'd go for a sprinter if it was up to me.
Those Transporters are nice but pricey and too low

 

[A380]

My parents had a VW conversion camper for years. They went from Iceland to Morocco to the North cape to Turkey.

I used it for a few holidays and also a couple of stints when between cars. Worked very well and whilst it was an extortionate price - well it wasn’t for them because of reasons- when they sold it, old and knackered, they still got a ridiculously large amount for it. I liked it as it would fit into car parks because of the folding roof and wasn’t too big for car park spaces. If I could have afforded one I think it would make an ok everyday vehicle. Though some specialist insurance actively exclude commuting to work.

Trouble is folding roofs aren’t going to cut it in future as the DVLA want motor caravans to have permanent high roofs so they stand out to the emergency services or similar bollocks this ruling out multi story car parks and also some outdoor ones with those height restrictions that definitely aren’t put there by the local authority to stop travellers...

I do like the Vivaro, although I wonder if I’m the only person who does. Gearbox is pretty old school Vauxhall good and it’s small for a ‘full sized’ van.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I know a few people with the Transit Custom. They are supposed to be great to drive and even look quite nice (for a van). Also a fair bit cheaper then a VW.

 

[Sweet FA]

I know a few people with the Transit Custom. They are supposed to be great to drive and even look quite nice (for a van). Also a fair bit cheaper then a VW.

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Yeh I've been poring over Transit sites. You do get a lot more van for your money buying a Ford. There's a couple I've seen in a similar spec to the VW I want but for about £5-£10k cheaper. I've gone right off the idea of a VW tbh.

 

[Nivag]

I know a few people with the Transit Custom. They are supposed to be great to drive and even look quite nice (for a van). Also a fair bit cheaper then a VW.

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I was driving a long wheelbase one for work at the start of the year and it's very nice and comfortable for long days behind the wheel.

 

[plurker]

I've got an older Transporter, a T25 camper, that I've had for 17 years. Pretty reliable, but has cost me a fair bit over that time in upkeep (it's 33 years old so bits are breaking). It's a hightop, and we built a full camping interior in there so it's not really practical as a daily driver. A smaller van, tintop, would be completely fine as a daily though, kind of wish I had one, and sell the car we have.

I'd not buy a VW now if I were looking for a newer van, as above you get a lot more for your money elsewhere; for a small van I'd go with a Vito or a Japanese brand, for larger maybe a Peugeot (there's a beauty on my road) or Sprinter. VW do keep their value tho, so although you pay more, resale values tend to be high also.

I really want one of those US Chevy dayvan jobs, but not sure a 5.7ltr engine is ideal for around town

(Edit cause I voted the wrong way FFS - yay to small van as a replacement for the X5)

 

[Sweet FA]

I've borrowed a Golf R Estate for the weekend. I put it in Race Mode this morning. Jfc. I think I might retain my license longer in a van .

 

[kalidarkone]

My parents had a VW conversion camper for years. They went from Iceland to Morocco to the North cape to Turkey.

I used it for a few holidays and also a couple of stints when between cars. Worked very well and whilst it was an extortionate price - well it wasn’t for them because of reasons- when they sold it, old and knackered, they still got a ridiculously large amount for it. I liked it as it would fit into car parks because of the folding roof and wasn’t too big for car park spaces. If I could have afforded one I think it would make an ok everyday vehicle. Though some specialist insurance actively exclude commuting to work.

Trouble is folding roofs aren’t going to cut it in future as the DVLA want motor caravans to have permanent high roofs so they stand out to the emergency services or similar bollocks this ruling out multi story car parks and also some outdoor ones with those height restrictions that definitely aren’t put there by the local authority to stop travellers...

I do like the Vivaro, although I wonder if I’m the only person who does. Gearbox is pretty old school Vauxhall good and it’s small for a ‘full sized’ van.

Its a bit too small, as is my t4.

 

[Mogden]

Just cos this seems a smart place to drop it, anyone know if this is a full custom job or if you can buy them like this? I'm curious rather than looking to buy one. I need to learn to drive first!

I pass it fairly regularly in Derby and managed to nab this pic from Google Maps. It looks awesome but I suspect it's a beast to drive.

 

[Sweet FA]

Just cos this seems a smart place to drop it, anyone know if this is a full custom job or if you can buy them like this? I'm curious rather than looking to buy one. I need to learn to drive first!

I pass it fairly regularly in Derby and managed to nab this pic from Google Maps. It looks awesome but I suspect it's a beast to drive.

What a deathtrap

Somebody has nailed that together; not a production vehicle.


Other ideas: Welcome to Build a Campervan | Resource on van conversions

 

[kalidarkone]

Mogden ......till you pass your driving test

 

[waxoyl]

Been driving vw campers transporters for 30 years,my present one owned since 98. its a 1979 bay. no tax or mot.

 

[plurker]

Been driving vw campers transporters for 30 years, my present one owned since 98. its a 1979 bay. no tax or mot.

And now your username makes perfect sense
I've dumped several tins into my T25 over the restoration

 

[bellaozzydog]

Housemate has a transporter 300,000 on the clock in October

I love driving it, it’s like a big comfy sofa compared to my Land Rover.

It’s a bit triggers broom, he regularly has it in the garage bolting stuff on and off when shit breaks/fails

he regularly does the length of the country in it though no bother

the money on the newer ones is mad though, they are amazing to drive though

For my needs I’d want a high top transporter panel van simply insulated no furniture in the back. Just a vessel to move long boards, bikes and kayaks around and occasionally put up a camp cot in it

they’re are about on eBay from 12-20k

but I can do all that in the rover and I’m in the process of putting a new engine in it for a couple of grand so I’m stuck with it. Modern driving will have to wait

 

[teccuk]

We use a 9-seat Nissan NV300 as the family car and yes its fine. But we don't live in the middle of a city, I never drove into cities anyway. You have to get good at parking and reversing.

We wanted a camper, but realised the kids were too big, so might as well get a 9seater for family+ outings and space for tents and dog.

Much cheaper than the VW!