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I really need a new (to me) vehicle.
Has to be able to accommodate 2 bikes and camping kit, be cheap, economical and reliable.
I do a lot of miles so would ideally prefer something with less than 40k on the clock when I get it.
I intend to run it 'till it dies.
We have been looking at Berlingos, but seem a bit pricey secondhand.
Had almost decided on a Kia Ceed, but then started noticing Doblos.
Can get a very nice 2008 1.3 diesel with low mileage for less than five grand. They get get good reviews, seem economical and reliable and have the advantage (over something Ceed/Focus sized) of huge capacity and the possibility of sleeping in the back if required.
My other, much cheaper alternative is an old school Citroen C15 van, but they're all getting on a bit now.
Anyone using a Doblo (mpv or van, not fussed), or a C15 for that matter?
What do you reckon?
Aviod the 1.3 doblo as it will have the multijet engine, our one had to have 2 new turbos a new ECI and many other repairs until the turbo went for the third time and the engine blew up.
Better with the non turbo 1.9
i have a mk1 54 reg 1.9 jtd (turbo) sx van. it's bloody great as a bike van. see below for my previous rantings from about 6 months ago. nothings changed.
i bought a 1.9 jtd sx doblo van about a month back as it was the best combo of space, fuel economy, engine power and cost. i took the bulkhead out of mine and with the seats right forward someone up to 6ft can lie flat in the back if you ever wanted to kip in it. i have slept in mine with all the kit, the bike and a pressure washer with room to spare. it is high enough to have a bit of room to get changed in too.the 1.9 jtd has plenty of power and as a positive compared to my diesel car will happily sit at 2000rpm without feeling like it needs to be changed down a gear. average mpg is 56.5. my brother has the multijet version 105bh which is euro4 emissions and hence £125 a year tax mk2 06 onwards. mine is the unijet 100bhp version euro3 emissions mk1 £200 a year tax. from all accounts avoid the 1.9d non turbo like the plague. unijet and multijet are both common rail engine can be remapped etc if you wanted.
obviously it looks retarded and the seating position is an acquired taste but you can't have everything can you? a vauxhall combo is worth a look as the seats are the same as the corsa hatch so the seat back tilts forward if you needed to kip in the back at races/roadtrips whatever, long wheelbase ford transit connect worth a look but are dearer by some way, older engine design and you have to pay extra for electrics lx trim. sx model doblo comes with electric windows and central locking as standard. sorry for the stream of conscience style. any questions just shout.
I have a combo van. They're excellent. This is mine, complete with full five seats.
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But consider an old Fiat Fiorino or a Skoda cube van for true 'bangernomics'. They're both fantastic.
We've got a 1.9 multijet on a 57 plate, does about 45-50 mpg, it's been reliable and it's mahoosive! Typicle going away load is 2 canoes, 2 bikes, 4 dogs, tents and kit and 2 of us.
I've got a panda with the 1.3 multijet, in a panda it's great, wouldn't want it in a dobbie though, you'd have to whip it to make it move...
I had a c15 on a w plate. Bought it for £3k with about 30k miles on it, sold it 3 years later for about £1.5k with 80k odd miles on it. Had to put a new radiator on it, but can't remember having to do much else to it.
One of the best vehicles I had. Very nostalgic about it, as it was a good stage in my life: met Mrs Mugsy, lots of weekends away winter climbing, climbing, mtbing, adventure racing etc in it etc etc.