Which? Minibus Peoplecarriers Need Not Apply

goldspanners

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

I went to buy an 05 Transit the other week, but a test drive revealed it to too van like (compared with Traffics/Vitos etc), it reminded me of the old Transits, noisy, bit cheap inside etc

ive got an 08 plate 110 lx for work, heated windscreen,electric windows/mirrors,cd player with aux input for ipod. plenty of storage space and a handy fold out table on dashboard and more cup and bottle holders than you could need,armrest and comfy seats,abs, traction control,plenty of things that make it a very nice vehicle to drive,with a great ride height. higher than the vivaro varients.
i used to have a primastar (same as vivaro) this was a great van to but i think the transit feels more solid than these,just as fast and with all the toys but the transit has a higher ride height,better seats and much more space in the front and the back.

Rolandtheroadie

I've looked at a mazda bongo before. Theres even someone that deals in them up in Fife.
My wife just didn't like the look of them, same with the lucia, previa and estima. They also dont tick the luggage space boxes (like all peoplecarriers, hence why we're looking at minibusses.)

jeannieblue

Lucida and Estima are grey imports anyway - which you wouldn't want.

There are quite alot of companies that do conversions on vans to turn them into mini buses and motor homes and similar. If you google, you will find a lot of options.

Rolandtheroadie

Lol, thanks for that jeannie, took longer than I thought but still....

I'd explain but i'd just be having a rant.

The van option's been considered as well but i've a 12 year old to consider (the embarassment of being picked up in a transit with a seat bolted into the back would destroy him, even one done professionally. I know, my dad had a Bedford HA with the same option.OK, that was painted red with a brush but that only added to the trauma).

As far as motorhomes, It's another one of my crazy ideas to one day buy a bus (probably about a 25 - 30 seater) and convert it myself. My favorite options for that would either be an ex local authority mobile library (probably all the electrics done) or there are some other bus's that would look right converted. NOT one of the ones with the nose at the front, (iveco, ldv etc) but one with a flat front.

jeannieblue

scotsman4th wrote: »

Lol, thanks for that jeannie, took longer than I thought but still....

I'd explain but i'd just be having a rant.

The van option's been considered as well but i've a 12 year old to consider (the embarassment of being picked up in a transit with a seat bolted into the back would destroy him, even one done professionally. I know, my dad had a Bedford HA with the same option.OK, that was painted red with a brush but that only added to the trauma).

As far as motorhomes, It's another one of my crazy ideas to one day buy a bus (probably about a 25 - 30 seater) and convert it myself. My favorite options for that would either be an ex local authority mobile library (probably all the electrics done) or there are some other bus's that would look right converted. NOT one of the ones with the nose at the front, (iveco, ldv etc) but one with a flat front.

Oh god..............

You really do have a HUGE problem. Van does not equal cool, does it. Now if it looked like the A team van?? No he's too young.....

Mmmm - this is not an easy one. Converted bus sounds like Cliff and Summer Holiday.

Guys, the OP needs help here - big time. He has to find something that will not embarrass a 12 year old. Guess a Subaru or Evo are out of the question.. And a Ferrari or Maserati could be expensive to run.

Sorry Scotsman - think someone has to make a big compromise here... unless someone somewhere is very clever and finds something that is cool and suits both of you!

Rolandtheroadie

To be honest, chances are it will be the Ford tourneo minibus. Modern, 9 seats, cheap to repair, plenty of spares avaliability.


The threads been great, thanks to everyone who's replied.

Brooker_Dave

goldspanners wrote: »

ive got an 08 plate 110 lx for work, heated windscreen,electric windows/mirrors,cd player with aux input for ipod. plenty of storage space and a handy fold out table on dashboard and more cup and bottle holders than you could need,armrest and comfy seats,abs, traction control,plenty of things that make it a very nice vehicle to drive,with a great ride height. higher than the vivaro varients.
i used to have a primastar (same as vivaro) this was a great van to but i think the transit feels more solid than these,just as fast and with all the toys but the transit has a higher ride height,better seats and much more space in the front and the back.

Yours is the latest Transit which is supposedly a much better van than the earlier ones.

The 05 I looked at was a top of the range one, but it still drove like an old van.

Brooker_Dave

scotsman4th wrote: »

As far as motorhomes, It's another one of my crazy ideas to one day buy a bus (probably about a 25 - 30 seater) and convert it myself.

If you think your boy will die of embarassment if you collect him from school in a panel van, what's he going to think of holidays away in a converted looney bus?

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Oh god..............

You really do have a HUGE problem. Van does not equal cool, does it. Now if it looked like the A team van?? No he's too young.....

this is where your wrong again jeanie,this is cooler than most cars.

http://www.autotalk.com/pictures/data/780/medium/Ford_Transit_SportVan_1.jpg

goldspanners

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

If you think your boy will die of embarassment if you collect him from school in a panel van, what's he going to think of holidays away in a converted looney bus?

ive always loved vans,even my dads mk2 transit and his old vw transporter with the noisiest engine in the world.
if my work didnt supply me with one i would have one any day over a car. so much more useful than a car.
and no im not a gypo.