ihope some one can help. im looking into buying a transit , ldv pilot or ducato wih the view of turning it into a basic camper van. Whats the best for economy parts and insurance...e.t.c.
thanks ......Dave
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Forget the LDV Pilot - noisy, uncomfortable, a relic from the mid 1970's.
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Can't speak for the Pilot exactly, but I had an R reg Convoy back in 2003 and it was a shed, no other word to describe it. The floor leaked, the bulkhead behind the dash leaked, it was noisy and generally badly made. I'd go for the Transit if I was buying these days.
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Try driving them first but transit is much better, more expensive though and not in the same league as a sprinter. ...Cheers...Keo.
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LDV or Transit? easy peasy - VW T5 transporter.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I only have £1500 to spend so my coice is limited.....the ldv transit and ducato seem lke the only options....cheers
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The 1994-on Ducato (and its French cousins) is far and away the most modern, the least likely to rust and best to drive for £1,500.
Of course it might also be more difficult to work on. Engines in your budget are likely to be Peugeot-derived, probably a non-turbo 1.9 XUD, and no worse for that.
I'd buy on condition at this budget more than anything else though.
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In that case I would opt for the transit unless you can live with an LDV they really are a bit old and tired try one you'll see what i mean . The ducato option I personally would not touch but that's just me
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dave
This may be of some help. I have a '97 VW Transporter which I have owned since it was one year old. ...it was an ex demo. It has been totally reliable, with oil changes every 6k. The 2.4 5 cyl diesel returns 32/35mpg with fast A road spirited driving on a previous 70 mile daily commute which I knew like the back of my hand! Lots of low down torque but my LWB 'High Roof' version restricts 'comfortable' cruising speed to 75mph, which is lucky!
After a period of ill health I sold my business, minus van which I intended to convert to a camper, but have decided against and am off to California tomorrow, staying with friends for a month to aid my recuperation. On my return I plan to sell the Transporter ...circa £2k. If you are interested contact me on my settings, or ring me on 07841 107892.
Sincere apologies if I appear to have hijacked your thread!
p.s. My choice of the above would be a Transit, but I have no experience of them as I have run VW Transporters for 20+ years.
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If you look around plenty of campers are Ducato based - due to value for money & a good diesel option, when fresh from the factory.
But looking at your budget, you'll save some £$£$, on the conversion, if you look at ex Police personnel carriers - you'll have the windows already in place, plus a reasonably well maintained vehicle, as well as a one owner & newer choice, rather than looking at the worn out options, that'll present themselves to you normally, at this price range.
Don't discount Convoy (Pilot would be too small) & look out for some early examples with V8 petrols - if you can afford the fuel. You will also be close to affording Sprinter, from
Police sources.
www.woma.co.uk have regular Police sales - but don't forget VAT on vans!!
VB
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Most LDV use Transit engine/gearboxes and a lot of other Ford parts.
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LDVs are an unknown quantity outside the UK, whereas the Tranist is the biggest selling van in Europe and most new campers seem to be based on the Ducato, Transit or Sprinter.
That suggests to me that you should choose one of these so you can easily find a garage while on a foreign touring holiday (very likely with a camper!) if you have a breakdown - and so you won't be waiting as long for parts to arrive from the UK.
FWIW, the Transit has a reputation for withstanding the abuses of being driven by different drivers every day better than other vans - as the OP intends to buy an older vehicle, wouldn't this be an advantage?
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Try driving them first but transit is much better, more expensive though and not in the same league as a sprinter. ...Cheers...Keo.
Sprinter POO
MD
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At work we used to have a Leyland Sherpa followed by a LDV Convoy - both were in my opinion awful, noisy, uncomfortable and unreliable. We had them 'cause they were cheap. No one looked forward to driving them. Go for the transit. I've driven several versions over the years and believe me they are vastly superior.
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Having driven the LDV and the Transit - it's Transit every time. Well used 80k mile Transits I've hired drive better than a couple of 30k mile LDVs I've driven recently.
JS
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I learned to drive on a two star petrol,(shows how long ago) Sherpa and have had a soft spot for them since.
We have recently got rid of our two Convoys at Royal Mail and got two of the new shape Transits and i miss them already.
Coming from an agricultural background i can appreciate their ruggedness, they would bounce off of banks and whatever a wayward postman would aim them at whereas a Transit leaves bits behind.
Plenty of market traders find a use for them.
If you are on a low budget then go for a good one, ex Royal Mail is good as they will have been serviced regulary.
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