Looking for my first vehicle

[Ratman]

That berlingo is a 600L model, i’d be looking for the 800L model for more load capacity and the obvious staying legal where weight is concerned. Had a few partners/berlingos, best one i had was a 97 P reg, 1.8 straight diesel, went anywhere practically, and if it failed going forward it defo made it going backwards! Had a set of bridgestone snow tyres on it, our climate doesnt wreck tyres like it can in other countries, so ran em all year round on it. Bought it with 112k on clock and sold it with 174k on clock for £200 less than i paid for it, hardly spent a bean on it apart from the tyres, exhaust and brakes, odd wheel bearing on front and a pair of springs and strut top mounts. Excellent on fuel too, practically no difference whether driving it sensibly or hard.

[Donnie]

5 minutes ago, Ratman said:

That berlingo is a 600L model, i’d be looking for the 800L model for more load capacity and the obvious staying legal where weight is concerned. Had a few partners/berlingos, best one i had was a 97 P reg, 1.8 straight diesel, went anywhere practically, and if it failed going forward it defo made it going backwards! Had a set of bridgestone snow tyres on it, our climate doesnt wreck tyres like it can in other countries, so ran em all year round on it. Bought it with 112k on clock and sold it with 174k on clock for £200 less than i paid for it, hardly spent a bean on it apart from the tyres, exhaust and brakes, odd wheel bearing on front and a pair of springs and strut top mounts. Excellent on fuel too, practically no difference whether driving it sensibly or hard.

I'm guessing the 800L has a longer body on it, or is just to do with the weight load?  By the looks of it I'm gonna start out in a Berlingo I think. 

[Ratman]

I'm guessing the 800L has a longer body on it, or is just to do with the weight load?  By the looks of it I'm gonna start out in a Berlingo I think. 

The older models were related to weight carrying, no difference in body size, these days you’ll notice L1, L2 etc, that means difference in physical body size but of course when body increase so does carrying capacity. Whats your budget?

[Ratman]

I run a 1.3 90bhp Fiat Doblo now, ex council, bought it cos it was mega straight, only had 34k on clock and is a 10 reg, other reasons for buying were also that its on a timing chain not a belt, was fully ply lined, cabin area is practically as new, and is very basic regards mechanical repairs.
I looked at loads of 1.6hdi models but they were all high mileage and strong money, and that 1.6 engine is very problematic regards turbo and dpf issues if not maintained to the hilt.
I just dropped lucky finding mine when i did, right place right time and right money. It carries weight really well too, you load it up and it never really sits down at rear.

[Donnie]

22 minutes ago, Ratman said:

The older models were related to weight carrying, no difference in body size, these days you’ll notice L1, L2 etc, that means difference in physical body size but of course when body increase so does carrying capacity. Whats your budget?

2-3K to get me started I would prefer to pay

[doobin]

30 minutes ago, Ratman said:

I run a 1.3 90bhp Fiat Doblo now, ex council, bought it cos it was mega straight, only had 34k on clock and is a 10 reg, other reasons for buying were also that its on a timing chain not a belt, was fully ply lined, cabin area is practically as new, and is very basic regards mechanical repairs.
I looked at loads of 1.6hdi models but they were all high mileage and strong money, and that 1.6 engine is very problematic regards turbo and dpf issues if not maintained to the hilt.
I just dropped lucky finding mine when i did, right place right time and right money. It carries weight really well too, you load it up and it never really sits down at rear.

Not a bad engine, I have a Corsa van with one in. Got a lot of go for a 1.3 diesel and very economical.

[Ratman]

Not a bad engine, I have a Corsa van with one in. Got a lot of go for a 1.3 diesel and very economical.

Yeah love it! Very car like, comfortable, easy driving. Had to do injector seats other month as it started chuffing on me. Got all 4 injectors out in a couple of hours, wire wheeled all bodies of em back to nice and clean, same with cylinder head, wire brush in drill then into holes, put some fresh copper seating washers on, new dust seals for in top of head, some magic paste from work to smear on injector bodies to stop em seizing in, job done! Does 50+ mpg according to dash on a run. I’m only 2 miles from work so its barely getting warm most days, but always get a run at weekends trailing about, oil prob gets dropped every 2k miles, had a new egr when i got it so should be good for a few years for me.

[Jack.P]

I heard the early  rav 4 were good capable off roaders .a good example can be probably be had for 2k .had a yaris of similar age that would go on forever .

[difflock]

8 hours ago, Jack.P said:

I heard the early  rav 4 were good capable off roaders .a good example can be probably be had for 2k .had a yaris of similar age that would go on forever .

They apparently have a few "quirks" like the non replacable propshshaft support bearing, that means ordering a complete new propshaft from Toyota at 3 or 4 k.

But the Toyota owners forum will shed more light.

[Baldbloke]

Will be getting into tree felling within the new year. I'm looking for my first vehicle in the forestry industry. I'm tied between a small van like a Berlingo or a pick up truck like a L200 as I will be going down a lot of forest roads which I know are in most cases horrendous.    If anyones got any photos of there set ups that'd be great also. Cheers. 

 

 

What about a compromise like a secondhand VW Tiguan? Not too shabby on the 4WD and a diesel will do 45/50 mpg with a bit of performance. They started making them in 2008 so something reasonable should be available. Mine occasionally drags logs in as well.Remember that whether you’re young, or not, a commercial vehicle will sting you for insurance compared to a car.