We are looking to sell our 4x4 soon, and hopefully getting a van. We quite like the Renault Trafic, but after a horrible couple of months with a Mercedes Vito (too expensive and a bugger if it's automatic) want to tred carefully before purchasing another commercial vehicle. Has anyone on here got a Trafic, or the Vauxhall version? or even a Transit? What are they like on petrol (or diesel) and also the insurance and running costs?

I will be running round 4 large breeds this year, so it has to be big enough!!!

As a work horse you cant go wrong with a tranny :D
Our old van hit 180k before we got rid and got a newer version, 02 plate, basic, but medium wheel base and high roof for work. But lovely to drive and comfortable. The N reg van pulled 2ton on a 3/4 ton trailor quite regularily. and you could smell the clutch on numerous occasions over the 5 years we had it while reversing a loaded to capacity trailor up a slope, but never had to replace it.
This is our 3rd transit over 10 years all bought second hand, all high milage and none needed much repair. (Apart from when I ran into the back of a taxi and it needed £1k of repairs, but never had any problems once repaired!!!)
Cant help on insurance as boss has 40 odd years no claims and its a work van!!!!
Lea :)

Soz cant help much - I downsized from a Freelander to a Yaris last year - bit of a comedown but with the travelling to work each day something had to give - it works fine for shipping 2 dobes at a time though - really is a big small car.  Have you thought of a Zafira?  My auntie has one and it is HUGE!!!!!

I loved my Zafira , I put 90,000 miles on it in 3 years. Never one bit of bother.  I was tempted to buy another one to be honest.

I agree with Lea, transits are the best van you can buy - if you want that size :)  I've had 3 too, all bought second hand at around 6 to 8 years old and all have been great dogmobiles. The last one I had was a long wheel base, semi high top, it was lovely to drive but a bit more difficult to park than the others. If you get a 2.5 diesel they're very economical, my first was a 2litre petrol and I wouldn't recommend it. They're made to just run and run, mechanically I've never had any problems. Because of the age that I keep mine to they've all needed some bodywork repairs, the most expensive being replacing rusty back doors and bonnets.

For the last year I've been driving a people carrier (Fiat Ulysse) as I'm determined not to have any more borzois so I thought the van was too big. I can fit 5 people and the 4 dogs in the car - but nothing else, no luggage or bumpf so now I'm considering going back to a transit :rolleyes: :D

We've just changed the zafira - which was nothing but trouble - for a Ford Tourneo Connect, it's a long wheel base kind of small transit van but still big enough to hold enough crating for all our dogs (10 medium sized dogs).  It also has the advantage of rear passenger seating in the long wheel base.

We have the diesl and so far it's cut the petrol consumption down by almost half on the zafira.

Kate

having been a regular consulter of commercial motor magazine, fraid transits get terrible reports but the winner every year by far is the VW Transporter van, all models!

I have a Vauxhall Vivaro - sister to the Trafic and we LOVE it. Nice easy drive, very economical - its almost as if diesel is free after the fortune I was spending in my 4 X 4!!!

I pay I think £250 a year insurance on the Vivaro and can easily fit 4 Malamutes, a couple of not Malamutes and 2 racing rigs in it :)

really Sam? :D

Ford Transit - voted International Van of Year 2007.

Van of the year 2006 - minbus - ford transit, light van - ford transit connect
security - ford transit

What Van, van of the year 2005 - readers choice - ford transit

van of the year 2003, panel van - ford transit

van of the year 2002 - ford transit connect

van of the year 2001 - large panel van - ford transit

Michelin readers award 2001 - ford transit

Millenium award 2000 by the institute of transport Management

Hi,
we have had a few of the vauxhall vivaro's(sportives are the best) and the renault trafic's. Warranties are almost the same with both 3 years/100,000 miles,but they must be serviced by the dealers.We had trouble with 1 vivaro and vauxhall were very good. (Wish i could have said the same when we bought a car off them) I could'nt believe when hubby turned up with the 1st one.'' I cant drive THAT !! '', But i now love them and can even park them as well as any man !! If anyone is interested we have for sale double newfie size caging for the vivaro,trafic,primastar . I will put full details on bring and buy.

Miranda