Which Caravelle is best for £20,000?
I have been looking to buy one of these second hand and would like some help. I appreciate the fact that these vehicles hold their value incredibly well and therefore I will have to pay a hefty price to get one, but presumably I will get a good price when the time comes to sell it.
The equipment that comes with the Caravelle Executive suits our needs well, leather seats, moveable seats on tracks etc, and large opening barn door at rear etc.
My questions:
Which is the best engine? I fancy the 2.5-litre engine which I believe is chain driven but is the 2.0 TDI a good option?
I have always driven manual transmission cars (and would prefer a manual van but there are not many available. Is the DSG auto a good alternative?
I don't want to spend more than £20,000, should I go for an older vehicle with low mileage or a newer ones with high mileage and a full service history?
The equipment that comes with the Caravelle Executive suits our needs well, leather seats, moveable seats on tracks etc, and large opening barn door at rear etc.
My questions:
Which is the best engine? I fancy the 2.5-litre engine which I believe is chain driven but is the 2.0 TDI a good option?
I have always driven manual transmission cars (and would prefer a manual van but there are not many available. Is the DSG auto a good alternative?
I don't want to spend more than £20,000, should I go for an older vehicle with low mileage or a newer ones with high mileage and a full service history?
Asked on 7 September 2021 by George Kay
Answered by
Dan Powell
The Caravelle is a very desirable van-based MPV. Many of the best examples are snapped up by camper van builders (both DIY and professional) which means finding a good one can be something of a challenge.
You should always buy the newest van you can afford. Avoid older, low-mileage vans that have been used for lots of short journeys. These low miles will not help the engine or DPF, owing to the fact a diesel engine needs around 15-miles to reach optimum operating temperature and cycle the DPF.
The 2.5 TDI is gear-driven so there are no belts or chains to replace, which would make it my preference. The 2.0 diesel is also a good engine but I would avoid the 2.0 BiTDI - we have received a number of serious complaints about this version of the 2.0 TDI. You can read about them here: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/volkswagen/carav.../
The seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox is fine, but it'll need a fluid and filter change every 40,000 miles. Avoid the old six-speed DSG auto.
You should always buy the newest van you can afford. Avoid older, low-mileage vans that have been used for lots of short journeys. These low miles will not help the engine or DPF, owing to the fact a diesel engine needs around 15-miles to reach optimum operating temperature and cycle the DPF.
The 2.5 TDI is gear-driven so there are no belts or chains to replace, which would make it my preference. The 2.0 diesel is also a good engine but I would avoid the 2.0 BiTDI - we have received a number of serious complaints about this version of the 2.0 TDI. You can read about them here: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/volkswagen/carav.../
The seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox is fine, but it'll need a fluid and filter change every 40,000 miles. Avoid the old six-speed DSG auto.
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