Transit connect vs similar vans.

I have great respect for all the maintenance guys out there that can manage with a connect size van - my Nissan Vanette (identical to LDV cub) is barely big enough for my needs and I will almost certainly 'upsize' next year as despite racking and panelling it, being disciplined with what equipment i carry etc, I still struggle for room on a day to day basis - the van is my only vehicle too!

What area are you in out of interest Michael?

(by the way, avoid any Connect with an oil leak as have seen several where the oil pump casting goes porous (VERY expensive to repair), also steering pumps used to go noisy and leak and clutches used to be weak points (sudden failure) on the early ones - I know as I used to service several such Connect fleet vans in my days as a motor mechanic - the drivers reckoned to Connects were not as good as the Peugeot Partner 2.0 litre HDi's they replaced (one of which, when last seen had over 440 000 miles on the original gearbox and engine (had 2 clutches as they just plain wore out).

Hey Adam, i'm cornwall based, seems to be pretty slim pickings down here in the van market at the moment. Ye, i've had a fair few cars in the past and i guess the similar applies when buying a van, you get a sixth sense for a rotter!

Adam Pilgrim said:

I have great respect for all the maintenance guys out there that can manage with a connect size van - my Nissan Vanette (identical to LDV cub) is barely big enough for my needs and I will almost certainly 'upsize' next year as despite racking and panelling it, being disciplined with what equipment i carry etc, I still struggle for room on a day to day basis - the van is my only vehicle too!

What area are you in out of interest Michael?

(by the way, avoid any Connect with an oil leak as have seen several where the oil pump casting goes porous (VERY expensive to repair), also steering pumps used to go noisy and leak and clutches used to be weak points (sudden failure) on the early ones - I know as I used to service several such Connect fleet vans in my days as a motor mechanic - the drivers reckoned to Connects were not as good as the Peugeot Partner 2.0 litre HDi's they replaced (one of which, when last seen had over 440 000 miles on the original gearbox and engine (had 2 clutches as they just plain wore out).

Replies

Geoff Norfolk June 8, 2011 at 1:26pm

I've had my transit connect for a couple of years now and been bery pleased with it. Its the slightly lower power version....... 75hp I think............. but still pulls a trailer load of heavy logs with no problem. Strimmer just fits in nicely.

Think you might have trouble getting hold of a secondhand one with caged rear windows........ never seen one on the road. You soon get used to just using the side mirrors though.
Axel@Aspenfuels June 9, 2011 at 9:10am

VW caddy TDI, maybe slightly more expensive but is the least van looking van and is also really nice to drive
Michael Bates June 9, 2011 at 10:24am

Thanks, would you get a caddy for around 3 -3.5 k though?Geoff is yours the swb or lwb?.
Michael Bates June 10, 2011 at 11:06am

Thanks, think i'll trawl through some of the local dealerships for some inspiration this weekend.
Geoff Norfolk June 10, 2011 at 2:14pm

Michael Bates said:
Thanks, would you get a caddy for around 3 -3.5 k though?Geoff is yours the swb or lwb?.

Its the LWB version............ worked out the strimmer wouldn't fit in the SWB version.
Michael Bates June 15, 2011 at 1:14pm

Well, I must have driven close to 100 miles around all the dealers I could think of down my way and there wasn't a scrap appart from an 05 plate swb connect with a rusty back bumper and a pretty nice oil leak going for £3200. So it's off to exeter van auctions next month i feel. Although i'm still after the connect LWB, what sort of mpg are you guys getting from a normal swb transit? (not the connect).
Adam Pilgrim June 15, 2011 at 5:23pm

I have great respect for all the maintenance guys out there that can manage with a connect size van - my Nissan Vanette (identical to LDV cub) is barely big enough for my needs and I will almost certainly 'upsize' next year as despite racking and panelling it, being disciplined with what equipment i carry etc, I still struggle for room on a day to day basis - the van is my only vehicle too!

What area are you in out of interest Michael?

(by the way, avoid any Connect with an oil leak as have seen several where the oil pump casting goes porous (VERY expensive to repair), also steering pumps used to go noisy and leak and clutches used to be weak points (sudden failure) on the early ones - I know as I used to service several such Connect fleet vans in my days as a motor mechanic - the drivers reckoned to Connects were not as good as the Peugeot Partner 2.0 litre HDi's they replaced (one of which, when last seen had over 440 000 miles on the original gearbox and engine (had 2 clutches as they just plain wore out).
Michael Bates June 15, 2011 at 8:43pm

Hey Adam, i'm cornwall based, seems to be pretty slim pickings down here in the van market at the moment. Ye, i've had a fair few cars in the past and i guess the similar applies when buying a van, you get a sixth sense for a rotter!

Adam Pilgrim said:

I have great respect for all the maintenance guys out there that can manage with a connect size van - my Nissan Vanette (identical to LDV cub) is barely big enough for my needs and I will almost certainly 'upsize' next year as despite racking and panelling it, being disciplined with what equipment i carry etc, I still struggle for room on a day to day basis - the van is my only vehicle too!

What area are you in out of interest Michael?

(by the way, avoid any Connect with an oil leak as have seen several where the oil pump casting goes porous (VERY expensive to repair), also steering pumps used to go noisy and leak and clutches used to be weak points (sudden failure) on the early ones - I know as I used to service several such Connect fleet vans in my days as a motor mechanic - the drivers reckoned to Connects were not as good as the Peugeot Partner 2.0 litre HDi's they replaced (one of which, when last seen had over 440 000 miles on the original gearbox and engine (had 2 clutches as they just plain wore out).