Which American-style van or MPV for carrying equipment?

My son will soon be 21 and I would like to buy him a vehicle for his birthday. It would be used for work and pleasure purposes. He would like an American-style truck for the street cred, the comfort and the lugging capacity, but I cannot afford the price of a truck and he cannot afford the running costs. He has seen the Astra van that he quite likes but I am unsure as to its suitability, both size-wise and comfort-wise. I can stretch to about £5000 and he will need reasonable running costs as his income will not be great. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Asked on 21 April 2012 by DH, Westcliff on Sea

Answered by Honest John
Vans have statistically more crashes due to the higher average mileage they do and are therefore subject to much higher insurance premiums. Instead consider something like a Berlingo Multispace that is classed as a car yet has the carrying capacity of a van, or you could compromise with a Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.1 diesel which has the carrying capacity of an MPV, but looks like a 1940s hot rod.
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