Econovan petrol

Looking at vans at the moment, I have never had a Econovan, any advice, good or bad.its 2004 petrol

you'll likely get a sore / hunch back driving it for prolonged periods

For the price of an 04 Econovan you should be able to pick up a common rail diesel Euro van. Much better proposition from a safety, comfort and load perspective and they have loads of grunt and cost heaps less to run.

The whole cab forward van idea has been well and truly superseded and considering that you can buy a good mercedes or similar in NZ for the same money there should be no contest.

I bought my van three years ago for $10k it was low KM??

The reason Mitsubishi started badging the Bongo as a Delica in Japan is that its significantly safer frontal impact than the old L300 design that kept being sold here, Australia and in developing nations.

Not to say the Bongo/Econovan is a particularly safe design, just a big step up over the L300

License cost makes little difference for the typical van driver when compared to fuel. 3 years ago when you bought yours the market was a bit different but the astute buyer today can pick up a lot of common rail van for the sort of money a petrol 04 Econovan goes for. We are not talking huge km's or scruffy either, something around the 150'000km mark which is nothing on vehicles that some companies don't retire from active service until a million or more.

Take your pick of the Vito, Ducato or Transporter they are all available in the price range. Sure they may be a year or two older and/or have a few more km's but they are still a vastly superior vehicle.

In terms of fuel savings you are looking at around $1200 a year less to run a much more powerful and responsive common rail diesel. Something that can actually get out and pass like a car, can tow a serious load and won't get bogged down when full of people and gear.Thats based on the typical NZ average of 15'000km a year, its not uncommon for a van driver to do twice that or more.

And thats just the financial side, the ability to walk away from an accident that would kill or paralyse you at even city speeds is priceless.

As long as it??

If you can find a proper safe and efficient common rail Japanese van for the money then go for gold. Just a pity they don't exist!