Right,
where is the best place to get new (or nearly new) vans cheap? Looking at transit connect type size.
How much discount should you be aiming for from a dealer?
Prefer Ford Transit connect, but could slip down to Kango, berlingo, partner type vans.
Anyone got any *radicle ideas for carting dogs around in comfort, talking 5 lab sized and one BIG (or will be - its still a pup) Mallanois/Shepard cross.
* (allready thought of a Bushi L200 double cab with truckman top type thing)
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Could you not design some sort of rickshaw / dog sled hybrid and get them to pull you along?
You did say radical...
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More seriously, if you go onto Autotrader, along the top you can click a icon for commercial vehicles searches.
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Would do but the brakes are appaling
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Twin cab Hilux, with Ifor Williams top on the back. Then you don't have to share the shiny car with smelly wet dogs.
You'll just get 16 foxhounds (18 with a real squeeze) into the back of a single cab Hilux, wo the twin cab should be plenty big enough for your job.
£500 Transit, with extra row of seats & a row of wire fencing.
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Have you really got a foxhound pack mappy?
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Yes, I really have. Well, ish. They don't hunt foxes (mink, instead), and they aren't mine. But they are a pack of foxhounds, and I do hunt them. Off to pick a foxhound up from Wales tonight.
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www.vanman.co.uk has the Connect from £8,250 + VAT.
www.trade-sales.co.uk has an import with delivery miles, in silver, for £7,999 + VAT.
Kangoo vans start in the low £6k range + VAT, brand new. Would a Kangoo car with a load liner be slightly more practical and possibly even cheaper?
My advice would be to look at the slightly larger (but scarcely any more expensive) Fiat Scudo/Citroën Despatch/Peugeot Expert, probably in that order of price.
Cheapest of all would be the (yes, they still make them, in theory!) Citroën C15, which is based on the Visa! £4,565 + VAT from www.citroensdirect.com and while it's not exactly modern would be perfect for pottering.
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I agree with DavidHM's recommendation of the Fiat Scudo/Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert (same van, different badging, engines etc.) in relation to the size. These vans really are quite cavernous and I believe all come with standard twin side loading doors which is always a handy feature.
I drove a Scudo 1.9TD a few years ago on multi drop parcel deliveries and it was a pleasure.
I loved the fact that gearstick is mounted coming out of the middle of the dash meaning unobstructed cab floor space and easy access to the passenger door.
Peugeot do a 2.0 HDi 110 model of the Expert which I imagine is a nice drive.
PP
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The Connect is just now showing itself at auction.
29 in BCA nottingham, 27 July. Miles from 10, yes 10, up to 4,000.
This will probably be a 'closed' auction, so only approved trade buyers may attend.
Could be worth talking to your local Ford dealer & see if he'd buy one on commission for you & thinking to get your service/warranty work, in the future?
How far away are you??
Otherwise, cheap n cheerful & practical, Fiat Dublo?????
& did you see the dog friendly post, a week or 2 back??
VB
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My "Client" is in Stamford Lincs. A SAAB 9-5 Estate is currently in use but the Mallanois (when grown up) will tip the balance over into the SAAB being too small when all dogs are up for transport.
Dog friendly? NO the Mallanois will be a raving monster, and will be trained in competitive Patrol Dog and working trials (thats "bite bad man" in real speak)
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As the dogs will be working, then you need something with seperate cages already installed.Save a few £$£$£$, this way!
We've had lots of Ex Police Escorts/Astras/Berlingos, with the kit left in.Proper ventilation, storage bins for tracking gear & stuff. But there are also sometimes Transits - not Connects,with 6 kennels & extra passenger seating.
If this appeals, mail me directly & I'll look around for you.
VB
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Thank you for that sir, I shall be in touch. As my friend runs very large dog training groups all round the country there could be a lot of business coming your way!
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