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As title, got chance of 2nd hand Trafic lwb combo , could be useful for business AND pleasure, whats to watch ......any body own one or drive one at work ?
Had a Vauhall Vivaro SWB for the past 5 years and its been very reliable, had new track rod ends but thats about it.(Apparently they are known for this) Did 300mile round trip to wales last weekend biking and got 38mpg. Really like it
ive had 2 so far...both have had the same eletrical faults...minor and have a stupid plastic gear linkage that wears and needs replacing after 40-50k miles...but they drive really well and are a lot cheaper to repair compared to vw/merc etc.ive always made sure its been serviced on the button and not had any major probs. the tyre pressure leaks on the alloy wheeled version that ive got but its a minor issue...but all in all theyre great vans.my latest one is the newer engine which seems a lot stronger
Post 2007 Facelift is the one to go for. The previous had some clutch issues.
Injectors can be problematic if they fail - resulting in an expensive removal/replacement.
However, they drive really well, are very comfy and I get 40-44mpg in my LWB (115bhp model) so I'm happy.
I had a loan of a Combi/CrewCab for a while. The factory bulkhead/seat unit means you get a nice quiet cab area and all the crap can be hidden in the back. However, I prefer the flexibility I get by converting a panel van with windows and a Q/R row of seats.
yep electrical faults for me too. many folk told me to avoid French for this very reason, i also had a Clio too that was poorly built. I'd seek out a Transit or Sprinter
I've had a few cars over the years. Sirocco, Suzuki, a Citroen, a Peugeot, a Toyota and several Renaults (19, 21, Scenic, Laguna). the only one that was in any way faulty, including electricals, was my 2006 Honda Civic 🙂
Transits and Sprinters have their issues too....
Lost of problems with the six speed gear boxes in the pre facelift ones. But depends on mileage one reached 145000 before the box failed.
I've got a 54 Trafic, done 85k had a new clutch and gearbox, now got an ABS warning light on 😐
Drives well though, wish i had the LWB.
Mine was great, (Trafic 9-seat minibus, '06 model). Still going strong and very reliable at 212,000km when it got totalled by a snow-plough 🙁
I ve got a facelift model and it still has issues. New gearbox and injectors under warranty. But nice to drive and the cooling box in the glove box is handy. Every van and car has issues.
Go for '05 onwards, these had stronger gearboxes & haven't suffered the fuel pump breakup problems of earlier models. 1.9's can suffer siezed injectors should they need replacing, 2.5's seem to suffer very few engine problems. Have seen a few injector problems on 2.0's, no siezed ones yet, but they do need programming to the ecm. All models can suffer with clutch pedals that stick 1/2 way down, this is usually a leaking clutch slave cylinder - located in the bellhousing & requires gearbox removal to replace. Electrical faults seem to be fewer on later models but a regular problem area for broken wiring is the engine harness just above the gearbox - often caused by someone leaving the harness support bracket off when refitting the gearbox. There did seem to be a batch of duff front suspension lower ball joints a few years ago but I haven't replaced one for a long time now. As someone else mentioned, track rod ends can sometimes be shortlived. Stay away from the semi automatic versions- they're horrible & very expesive shoud you need to replace the MTA actuator assembly.
Problem with the traffic/vivaro/primastar is that they built with CAR components and NOT commercial components, you need the bigger vans for this, its one reason I got a fiat ducato over any other vans, its huge and boxy but the running gear and engine will go on forever....body panels and interior is another matter though!!!
I have friends who have had to replace gearboxes, cutches, alternators, loads of electric problems etc.. in the vivaro/trafic
If you are going to use it more as a car you should be fine, but second hand means they have had commercial use, so find out what its done...
At 70k the aternator will go, and look to replace a gearbox at 100-150K
Thanks very much for all the input , been for a proper look today, seems verrrry tidy ,55000 on clock,57 plate,2.5 engine,factory fitted bulkhead/seats,glazed rear doors, lwb , seems basic model ie, no electric widows or other gizmos, absoloutely NO dings in body work (inside or out) ply lined loadspace , appears last owner only used it for transporting dogs! Seems just the ticket. Wife drove it and she lurrrves it so it's all good I reckon, thanks again for your help fellas.
I used the 115bhp Traffic LWB for two years did 60k miles in it, had no problems was a 2008 model 6 speed air con electric windows cd player,etc drove well and gave pretty good mpg around 40mpg , used for 99% work and 1% biking 😀 would have another.