Are vans better offroad than cars ?

[Count Steer]

Ever thought of something like a Berlingo/Partner/Doblo/Kangoo that's been modified for wheelchair access? They go for cheap and have lots of strapping down points etc. I'm guessing it's a bit low-rent for you, and cerainly doesn't scream 'cool', but it might do what you want.

Does the modification leave them with only 2 seats?

[mangocrazy]

That suits my 'bottom feeder' style of car acquisition just fine. Buy 'em cheap and run them into the ground. What is this trade-in of which ye speak?

[mangocrazy]

Ever thought of something like a Berlingo/Partner/Doblo/Kangoo that's been modified for wheelchair access? They go for cheap and have lots of strapping down points etc. I'm guessing it's a bit low-rent for you, and cerainly doesn't scream 'cool', but it might do what you want.

Does the modification leave them with only 2 seats?

Don't believe so. Even with the standard 4/5 seats, there's still a goodly area out back. I'll have a Google.

[Count Steer]

That suits my 'bottom feeder' style of car acquisition just fine. Buy 'em cheap and run them into the ground. What is this trade-in of which ye speak?

Not me, Weeksy. I know he's not much into car flipping but it might be a factor on top of the general factor on particulates etc etc.

[mangocrazy]

This is the first in the list when I typed 'berlingo wheelchair' into ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155100137668

Looks like it becomes a 3-seater but with cavernous load space.

[weeksy]

You like visits to the garage then?

i was kidding with that but it was absolutely LOVELY i mean really nice.

But we actually went to view and test drive this one
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185490081338 ... Sw6oFi0mDP




Note, it was only a test drive... but yup, colour me impressed. The Kuga has moved up the list to the top in terms of choices.

It's not going to be THAT Kuga as it's £14,000 and as much as i had a laugh with the lads in there, they're not dropping £3000 on it lol.

But it's likely it's a Kuga...

Now, which Kuga.

Auto, petrol, diesel, manual..... Hmmmmm

Petrol, auto (I don't suppose a modern auto box would have any issues with a light trailer?).

Q? What did you find attractive about the Kuga vs the CRV?

Petrol auto is very uncommon

Like, they're very similar in many ways, shape, position, comfortable etc. The Kuga at budget though is a lot newer and lower miles than the CRV. Both are likely reliable and easy to own.

[Count Steer]

This is the first in the list when I typed 'berlingo wheelchair' into ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155100137668

Looks like it becomes a 3-seater but with cavernous load space.

Ah, righto, maybe it's the smaller stuff I was thinking about. Bit surprised they're available as bargains though, being a bit specialist and, I'd have guessed, the demand growing. Maybe the increase in use of mobility scooters rather than wheelchairs is actually reducing demand?

[v8-powered]

Can't go wrong with a Kuga - decent enough quality, cheap to run and repair.
My missus had one years back (2014 to 2017, diesel Zetec spec) - never had an issue with it in 30k miles, replaced it with a decent spec VW Tiguan and the Kuga was a nicer place to be.

Forgot to add too - majority of my wife's driving in the Kuga was short town journeys and never once had any DPF, EGR etc issues. Don't be put off by a diesel.....

What's going to happen to resale values of diesels? My local dealer's best deals are all on diesels and they've started saying stuff like 'can't tempt you with a diesel?' as a bit of patter. I'd have thought the only way is downhill from here. Might seem like a bargain now but in a couple of years I can see them getting v about trade-ins.

I'm 100% with you there, hence our last 2 new cars have both been petrol.
Personally I'd not buy a new diesel car now, just saying to the boss don't be put off buying an older used diesel...

[mangocrazy]

This is the first in the list when I typed 'berlingo wheelchair' into ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155100137668

Looks like it becomes a 3-seater but with cavernous load space.

Ah, righto, maybe it's the smaller stuff I was thinking about. Bit surprised they're available as bargains though, being a bit specialist and, I'd have guessed, the demand growing. Maybe the increase in use of mobility scooters rather than wheelchairs is actually reducing demand?

I think the only people they sell to are other wheelchair users (or their handlers) or people like us who want to bung a moto or an MTB (or 3) in the back. Anyone swapping one of those vehicles will probably go for a newer version. There are also substantial grants available to convert MPVs to disabled-capable, so that feeds in to the lower price. I'd be thinking of getting one if/when my trusty old T4 cries enough (not for many years, hopefully).

[Taipan]

The AWD Kuga has the same drive train as a Freelander/Volvo, or at least the one I had did. This drive train includes a haldex rear axle unit which isn't listed as a service item, but they should be serviced. I cant remember if its Land Rover or Volvo which are the only ones that service it?

[KungFooBob]

Audi's famously use Haldex systems.

They're FWD until it detected some slip and diverts 'some' power to the rear.

[Dodgy69]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115465958399 ... media=COPY

[KungFooBob]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115465958399 ... media=COPY

It's been an insurance write off, which is fine if it's been repaired right, but will be worth considerably less that a non-write off come resale/part-ex time.

[Mussels]

Audi's famously use Haldex systems.

They're FWD until it detected some slip and diverts 'some' power to the rear.

I've never looked at that in detail, it's interesting just how little 'some' can be.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-fea ... ruth/31854

[Dodgy69]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115465958399 ... media=COPY

It's been an insurance write off, which is fine if it's been repaired right, but will be worth considerably less that a non-write off come resale/part-ex time.

Oops, never read that bit.

[weeksy]

I'm losing the plot now with these things... i honestly have no idea which is the right thing to buy and i'm going to end up buying bloody anything !!!

LAst night when idly browsing i even found this.


Ticks the boxes... but then insurance is £700+ a year which is more than double that of a car.

Then i looked at Vivaros again, Transit Customs, then back to CRVs and Kugas lol.

Plan is to go view the red Kuga later.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... on=at_cars

Which apart from a lack of towbar ticks pretty much all the boxes.

The CRV we didn't have time to view yesterday is still in the mix
https://www.corrsperformancecars.co.uk/ ... re-4418290

But i'm getting very picky in the context of "oh it'll cost more in road tax and is less economical" despite the fact it's £1500 less than the Kuga... lol.

[v8-powered]

Towbar for a Kuga is dirt cheap and easy to fit - don't let that put you off.
Consider that the average CRV with a towbar has probably spent most of it's life being driven by a member of the blue rinse brigade towing 1500kg of caravan behind it - I'd rather buy a car without knowing it's probably had an easier life on the clutch, brakes, gearbox etc....

[Count Steer]

I thought it was down to Kuga vs CRV?

If that Kuga is as good as it looks I'd say the decision is made (unless the CRV blows it away)

PS What's happened to the QQ?

[weeksy]

I thought it was down to Kuga vs CRV?

If that Kuga is as good as it looks I'd say the decision is made (unless the CRV blows it away)

PS What's happened to the QQ?

@crust owns it now. I've got the wifes Focus for using as she's on holiday

It is down to the CRV/Kuga.... right up until it's not, because i think "oooooh what about...."

[Count Steer]

I thought it was down to Kuga vs CRV?

If that Kuga is as good as it looks I'd say the decision is made (unless the CRV blows it away)

PS What's happened to the QQ?

@crust owns it now. I've got the wifes Focus for using as she's on holiday

LOL. He'll probably get many years of trouble-free driving from it.