My sister in Auckland is looking at getting a company van/people mover to cart all the workers around in. She said they have a 15k budget max, and must seat 8 solid built (islanders) if possible. Also needs a towbar, to ship their gear around. She just wanted to know what the main options are.
Cheers Ben
nightboss,
Apr 3, 9:05pm
2012 Sunkist Prune. Best people mover ever.
thunderbolt,
Apr 3, 9:19pm
How much gear are they planning to tow! 8 props plus driver!
happylad3,
Apr 4, 5:07am
Probly only a 6x4 box trailer. So not a hell of a lot. Just a few big cardboard boxes. Say 50kg pp.
mugenb20b,
Apr 4, 5:12am
Well, it is if you put 8 big people in it.
howie69,
Apr 4, 6:05am
How about a Transitvan. These carry up to 12 people and are solidly built. If you search here on TM you will find a few within your budget range.
thejazzpianoma,
Apr 4, 6:25am
I was going to leave this thread alone since they were after Kaz but I agree. This is a job for a Euro Van with a common rail diesel. My preference would be the Fiat/Mercedes/VW over the Transit but in that price range you have to take what you can get to a degree.
OP, a Transit or similar is going to be half the cost to run of the big petrol Japanese offerings for starters. Its also generally going to tow better andhave more room. Interestingly they are often easier/cheaper to service as well.
Good luck.
happylad3,
Apr 4, 8:15am
Yes thanks jazz. I was gunna suggest a transit or a ducato. I like the big high roof on them. I was just asking for kaz because he seems to sell a hell of a lot of people movers.
Any opinions welcome!
kazbanz,
Apr 4, 8:45am
Happylad--to be honest dude RIGHT NOW I'm kinda stumped. The jap stuff is pretty darned expensive for what you get -ie the Hiace and the Caravan just dont seem to be good bang for buck. In the Jap range the only thing I can suggest is an estima. but its not commercial enough I feel
happylad3,
Apr 4, 9:03am
Yea that's what I thought. Just didn't j is if there were any models that I'd overlooked. Cheers. I don't think she'll have any issues buying a euro. As she owns a BMW atm
bignzer1,
Apr 4, 9:40am
Check out what the Taxi Companies are using as when I was driving nearly all the Vans were Toyota Hiaces because of there reliability factory, cheap service and longevity. We had two in the fleet that had done over a million kms on original motors.
trdbzr,
Apr 4, 11:50am
Nissan Elgrand, Toyota Estima and Toyota Regius springs to mind.
happylad3,
Apr 4, 12:39pm
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll pass on the thread and see what she says. But I don't think she wants a big bus, or a cramped wee minivan. Cheers
paull,
Apr 4, 1:04pm
will look like a giant jaffa with all those islander boys in it,,
scuba,
Apr 4, 1:14pm
8 island boys there's 1000kgs without the driver
happylad3,
Apr 4, 1:21pm
Exactly! So thats why I was thinking transit etc. heap of power from common rail diesel. And seat heaps. So room for them to breathe.
thejazzpianoma,
Apr 4, 1:43pm
Yes I think you are on exactly the right track there. Just make sure if its a Transit that its the new shape one and not the last of the 90's shape as they are horrible old rusty things. That should not be an issue though in the 15K bracket.
About your only problem is going to get one thats set up as a shuttle bus they are snapped up really quick when they come available.
Also. another trick is to keep an eye on the Peugeot and Citroen vans, these are often re-badged Ducato's and can be an overlooked, cheaper and just as good option. We do have a few here and they come up now and then.
Pretty much the Transit is my least favorite of all the Euro vans (nothing against Ford I just find the Transit isn't quite there yet) but it will do the job if need be.
It may also be worth while keeping a close eye on Turners, they do have this sort of thing coming and going.
Just one other "outside the box option" its not really a commercial but just occasionally you see a Renault Grande Espace 8 seater come up. There are a few diesel ones around and they are good and roomy and should have enough power to do the job.
You do see the odd Mercedes Sprinter set up as a shuttle too and they are excellent vehicles, as good or better than the Ducato. Worth watching all the European vans as really most are very good.
emmerson1,
Apr 4, 6:55pm
Check outthe Chevy Suburbans on TM. I think they're great, a bench seat one will hold nine people and454 cubes will haul any number of big boys (and the trailer - even a 350 would do)! If you have to be sensible, then I think that the Nissan ElGrand's do seem to have a bigger engine.
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