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so, I can get a pickup (VW Amarok) for less each month in company car tax -being a commercial vehicle- than almost anything else so cost wise (to me) they are a bargain. I’m not too worried about reliability as that’ll be covered by warranty and business and mpg I pay the same amount.
so, with a bit of bike carrying, I accept the bikes are outside, but I currently always use a roof rack so that’s no different. I live in the country so not a lot of town work, I tow, but actually already have another tow car and do a bit of limited off road, fields, tracks etc not mega stuff through rivers and over mountains.
I’m really struggling to pay the additional money for something like a 3 series estate. I quite like the ‘****’ factor as well, it makes me laugh.
what am I missing, why shouldn’t I?
There’ll be lots of haterz along soon, but I loved and miss my ford ranger. Go for it.
You'll have to buy a roof for your half van.
I’m alright with that bit, a roof with bike racks on it actually!
HMRC are on to non-trades people getting Combis and Pickups, what is your job? Do some good research into potential BIK if they decide it’s mainly for personal uee
Just had the same quandary.
Pick up my dciv (5 seats) transit custom on friday. Had a ranger as a courtesy car for 6 weeks and loved it, it was a straight choice between that and the van. Same length (within 20mm) but for me just no where near as practical. 2k extra for a proper top for the back and I remember having to physically climb in to get stuff that had slid to the front of the load bed when we had the ranger. Had the wildtrak version and it was genuinely brilliant, but by God it was thirsty, sub 30 mpg at 70mph on the m5. If I was coming from a car it would be first choice but as I'm already a van driver the van won.
In your situation id go for it!
Happy Ranger owner here. VW is also nice tough. The kids like it, good view out, lots of space inside. Bikes and muddy kit goes in easily.
If you have a van and put bikes in they will still need to be tied up or they will be sliding all over the place..
Probably better deals VFM on a truckers the residuals are higher than they re on vans.
Navara does everything well....
Only a sample of one but the FiL's is pretty awful. Uncomfortable in the back due to limited space and basic suspension. For something that's huge outside it's quite tight inside and the boot is ok but not massive. Problem is you cannot combine the space. In our estate/people carrier you can push the seats back to make it very roomy for passengers or flip the seats up for a van-like space and easily get a bike or 3 in upright with the wheels on. I suppose if it's cheap then why not but it would be way down my list for a practical car.
Probably better deals VFM on a truckers the residuals are higher than they re on vans.
After weeks of research and the chop value I got on my current van that statement isn't all that true. Vans have never been so popular with a wider market than ever.
Happy with the hmrc position, that’s not an issue.
can see the issue with stuff sliding forwards in the back, that could be a ball ache. On the flip side I can load it with shit and timber without destroying the inside!
What you want is a hilux surf.
Pick up? Tick!
Also a massive estate? Tick!
Got some locks for the bikes?
VW was fine for bouncing around on in a mine if you were in the front....
Navara does everything well….
Apart from the choppy ride quality, less than precise handling, pretty much fixed driving position...
Theres no way of locking bikes securely to roof bars either, simply can’t see the difference.
Amarok isn’t bouncy, has good spec, good driving position and plenty of room inside .maybe the fact that the load bay will get wet even under whatever cover I get and will stay that way until it gets warm and dry out... that’s all I can see against it
God awful things. Amazes me how many rad endoooro guys have them. Terrible security for your bike, fuel economy, crap on motorways, and you look like some banjo playing nutter.
Having said that a van is not a van if you can't stand up in it....
Theres no way of locking bikes securely to roof bars either, simply can’t see the difference.
Your buying a van with none of the practicalities and more down sides. Take a test drive in something like the new Transit Custom Tourneo or whatever it is and see how it compares.
Unless you actually need a pickup for doing pickupy things... I wouldn't.
I have one. It carrys stuff that smells bad and weighs a lot. It goes offroad... if I didn't I would have a more sensible and more efficient vehicle. That is comfy. And doesn't make the kids car sick when it goes around a corner/sees a bump on the road/catches a side wind....
I've got mine (Navara) for towing and launching / retrieving a water ski boat also retrieving a heavy mobile jetty out of the lake. Beyond that it's a pain in the arse. Havlng said that customer who has had them all says amoraks are the nicest to drive and own. Some Massive drawbacks owning a pickup generally but you appear to be aware of those
Re back seats. They're just bench seats so adults have complained after more than hour in the back on long journeys.
As i say I genuinely have real world experience of both. We also have an amorak Ive used and been a passenger in quite a bit.
The anorak is certainly better on fuel than the ranger I had but that was the 3.2 version, if you even began to have some fun in that the mpg would plummet, went to Cornwall in it and after 4 hours the kids did say the seats weren't all that.
As above though all variants of the transit are really nice these days and cheaper. The fitted bulk head gives you a similar layout. I genuinely couldn't believe that the ranger is 20mm longer than a lwb custom though.
you look like some banjo playing nutter.
Yeah but think of all the fun you could have!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AFjrWPLAx4c
We’ve just changed from a Ford ranger to a transit van on the farm. The ranger was the previous version and no rear seats and used for farm work only. It was in all honesty a simple and reliable 4x4 carry vehicle. It wasn’t very nice on the road long distance (I managed to go to Newcastle on Tyne from York up the A1 and felt like I needed a sauna and massage) but it was what it was and 25mpg was its average. I know we’re talking different variants of 4x4 but they’re all pretty much agricultural vehicles underneath just some are better than others.
If you want one, why not.
HMRC have been saying the same message for ohhhhh 10 years...now? and it’s rare they chase anyone.
We do see a lot of 4x4’s at the beach surfing, they’re just “lifestyle” vehicles and rubbish at carrying anything longer than a meter and a half... then boards always rammed in sticking up over the cab..
Well I got it last weekend. Amarok with all the toys I could find second hand. It’s got a fibreglass clamshell cover which if I want to fit a bike under, I do need to take the front wheel off but it’ll transport loads of kit and 4 people very well. I’ve only had the Towbar fitted today so not sure how well it pulls 2 ton trailer out of a wet field but based on the tracks I’ve already put it down, I suspect very well.
It also amazes me how people react better to me squeezing through a gap in it than they ever did in my stupid blue 1 series!
Ive yet to do a king drive (400 mike day) but see no reason it’ll be anything other than comfy. unless hmrc change the rules I can see me keeping this for at least 3 years which would be a record for my company cars. I’m buying a lumberjack shirt this weekend....
So the environmental impact isn't an issue then?
So the environmental impact isn’t an issue then?
No worse than cheap flights to America...
Unfortunately, simply being better than someone else doesn't make it ok. You cannot absolve yourself simply by finding someone worse. It's not a personal issue.
It sounds like you want a pick up. If you are prepared for any additional tax implications, poor environmental credentials and the potential damage it will do to other road uses due to crash incompatibility then go for it.
I think you should have in mind that you will be acquiring a dynamically poor family car or a less practical van depending on your primary reason for buying.
That sounds like hate but I’m trying to give you an opinion and it just came out like that. The only way to find out for sure is to live with one for a while.
edit
Nevermind, I missed you final post scrolling on my phone. I was right though you wanted a pick up!
Whatever Molgrips, hypocrite. 😉
Unfortunately, simply being better than someone else doesn’t make it ok. You cannot absolve yourself simply by finding someone worse. It’s not a personal issue.
So you’ve decided not to fly to the states then because of the environmental impact of doing so?
Good Luck 🙂
No worse than cheap flights to America…
😂
So it's longer than T4 long wheelbase, never mind the standard wheelbase, and you can't get a bike in the back without taking it apart!
So you’ve decided not to fly to the states then because of the environmental impact of doing so?
Why does what I do make a difference regarding g the OP's truck?
You've had your pants pulled down Molgrips, just bow out gracefully.
OP you have looked at hybrids as a company vehicle ?
BMW 330e / 530e are very cheap on tax.
Why not a truck ? I’ve seen them trying to emergency stop on motorways, they are scary
All I did was raise a question. Is the environmental impact an issue? You lot tried to divert the question to talking about my potential flights.
I'll answer the question for you. Yes, the environmental impact is an issue. As is the impact of long distance flights.
Just wondering if the OP cares.
I think it’s too late to save it now.....
Yep, pretty much. However it’s only a bit longer than say a 5 series and you won’t get that much in the back of a 5 series and still get 5 in the front. It’s not as roomy as a van in total capacity but I don’t want a van (drove one full of boards, sails, wetsuits etc for years). The ride is a little fidgety compared to a car, but better than any van I’ve driven and the economy is just as good. I certainly don’t think that a pedestrian / other vehicle would be better off being hit by a T5 and yet I’ve never seen a comment like that on any other van thread...
Molly, I really can’t take you seriously, I don’t believe that you’re deliberately trolling but my goodness the lack of self awareness (or is it do as I say, not as I do?) is just great!
Oh and yes, I’d have been very interested in 330e / 530e but neither come as estates, can’t even get stuff for the weekend in one of those (2 adults, 2 kids)
is is the environmental impact an issue? No, I wish there were none but of course there always is and it’s better than the T5 2.0bitdi with DSG I tested as well that would have had rave reviews on here!
i suspect that there isn’t a single person on this forum who lives in the most environmentally friendly way possible and Molly, for certain you don’t so I’m not sure why you’re worried about others?
Just trying to bring up the environmental issue that everyone's ignored.
The other issue now raised here is that environmental issues can somehow be made to go away by questioning the credentials of the person raising them. It doesn't work like that. The CO2 is still your responsibility, in the same way that it's not ok to drop litter just because you see someone else doing it.
I didn't mention it to try and make myself out to be better than the OP, if that's what you're thinking.
I'm absolutely loving my transit dciv, 170 brake diesel swigging, child's face damaging, baby robin killer. I holidayed here this year on a diesel canal boat, so I reckon I did my bit by not flying.
In all honesty though as I had the top spec model I do prefer it to the ford ranger I had and it handles far better.
so I reckon I did my bit by not flying.
Sorry but that's not how it works either!
How about if I was just being sarcastic and dont really care?
Yes, that works!
It's a valid logical position that cannot be argued with.
Just content yourself the OP will be investing in locks and waterproof bags while his mates complain about having their knees round their ears 😉
Sorry but that’s not how it works either!
I'm certain that I recall you making just this argument a number of years ago, pre the Passat problems and possibly around the time you were on a one man campaign for waiting your 'turn' to overtake. You claimed to offset your trips to the states to visit your wifes family by driving a Prius the rest of the time.
What prize do i win for stalking knowledge?
Sorry, what is? CO2 emissions?
@ Mikewsmith, nope, it's more secure than any other car with the bikes on the roof which they would be if I had mates in the back<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> as they are in a locked 'container', and at least you can get in the back of the car with me driving (long legs) which you can't in an average estate!
Plus I've bought a banjo!</span>
Not mine but it's the same idea.
Terrible mpg. If you have the double cab but not the extended wheelbase the bed is not great for loading stuff. Mind you the tailgate makes it a pain to load stuff. All your stuff gets wet and stolen unless you buy a cover in which case a van is better.
if you are towing you should have the auto and see if you can get a fifth wheel installed. Doesn’t look like the ranger comes with the anti sway tech and to me looks a bit like it won’t do anything all that well except eat your cash.
Yep it was compared to a van, that pop top will pop off nice and easy, only hassle for the thief will be if you keep the bolt for the front wheel 😉
Been in the back seat of one of them, not a fan, front too.
Enjoy it though, those who love em can't ever see the issues though.
Last couple of vans I had were the new Transit and Peugeot, both nice and comfy, good to drive too. Game changer in that market.
Drove one of the new shape Auto Rangers the other day. Was a Ford demo car. the auto box was fine. Really liked driving it. felt much more civilised than the Isuzu id driven a few times before. would happily own one. Though if i also had a transit custom as a choice. That's what I'd pick. As long as you can spec aircon and cruise.
No worse than cheap flights to America…
Ooof 🙂
Enjoy it though, those who love em can’t ever see the issues though.
I think it's just that they (we) prioritise other attributes of them.
Fair enough, agreed I wouldn’t leave the bikes / anything very valuable in it anyway as any car is only as ‘secure’ as gentle tap with a hammer on a window or a jemmy bar in a door. My first van, a LWB transit was renowned for being able to be opened with any screwdriver and oddly, never had an issue despite having almost everything I owned of worth in it parked up in pretty crap areas for about 3 years!
I’m certain that I recall you making just this argument a number of years ago
I was younger, foolish and wrong to make it personal. Hard when others start though.
Enjoy it, let the haters hate.
Good to hear your a windsurfer 👍
Sorry re-read it is a vw amarok not a ford ranger.
I am currently in the land of pickups and for towing they like a 4.8l engine or bigger... if you are moving anything significant a 2l is going to struggle after a while.
If I was choosing between a van and a pickup, I'd be interested in how each would fare in a big old collision.
once you get out the city, people cane their motors and you're potentially squaring off with country gents in all manner of 4x4's so it's basically an arms race.
id be gravitating towards the pickup...
But im on too much anaesthetic at the mo to get behind the wheel of a pickup and the people round my way would have the back end full of empty crisp packets and beer cans in short order:)
Nice wheels TB. Did you have any issue with your employer signing it off seeing that it is just really a personal tax fiddle?
Just trying to bring up the environmental issue that everyone’s ignored.
I didn’t mention it to try and make myself out to be better than the OP, if that’s what you’re thinking.
Not what I was thinking, but every time it comes up on here there's always someone like you making the point, so you'd better be whiter than white, you weren't.
I hate my pickup, but a car can't launch or retrieve our waterski boat or our jetty, a sport I happen to love. The trade off is I haven't been abroad since owning or even walking in Scotland (both of which I used to do regularly). In fact, since owning I always think twice about any journeys or hols, just can't warrant any distance journey in fuel cost, believe me it is a massive issue for me on a regular basis. Personal choice and not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me, but don't criticise unless you are a bonafide tree hugger. And yes, they are generally crap for MTB's also, a van or estate car would be better.
If I was choosing between a van and a pickup, I’d be interested in how each would fare in a big old collision.
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/vw/amarok/11028 4* 86% Adult Passenger 64% Child
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/ford/transit-custom/10925 5* 84% Adult 90% Child
If that is important then probably best check out what it's about and how they fare - (latest models published)
It’s a 3.0l diesel, will tow 3.5t and regularly will be used for 2t - not many cars will achieve that.
ref country arms race yes, that’s very true and I live out in the sticks so is a factor although whatever you drive, you’ll lose to the manically driven trucks from the local quarries!
@bikebouy, im mainly a yacht sailer these days, not enough time with kids to remain good enough at windsurfing to play at Gwithian etc. but as the kids get older, I suspect they are going to play around beaches a bit more so I’m biding my time....
@andygreener, no, I’m the one who signs everything off plus it’s used for actual site deliveries during the day
Love my Navara and couldn't live without a pick up (or ute as they are referred to in these parts).
Its clunky and uncomfortable in the back after a few hours but the flexibility they offer in carrying capacity is worth it.
Thinking of going Ranger next year for more comfort though!