VW Caddy van purchase and insurance

[elainemary]

Wouldn't touch a fiat personally, even from new some of their diesel engines sound
Ready to explode.

Stick with ford, usually stand up to the previously abusive owner, and if they do go wrong, parts are cheap-ish.
2.4/2.2 have week valve trains and little ends, if we had one in the garage we would remove and get a service exchange motor, used to work out cheaper for the customer that way.

And Ford vans from 2021 are made by VW!

 

[elainemary]

Be aware that second hand cars are holding their price at the moment so you may not get much negotiation.

Yes hoping to get a good premium when I sell mine after buying a van!

 

[Erichalfbee]

And Ford vans from 2021 are made by VW!

Touché
How about a Unimog so beloved by bee farmers.

 

[elainemary]

For a start I would look at something else than a caddy as you are paying twice as much just because of the badge!! Fiat and Citroen make some really good ones at a fraction of the price, especially 2nd hand.

Other side of the coin is VWs hold their resale price better. Less depreciation

 

[elainemary]

Touché
How about a Unimog so beloved by bee farmers.

Gosh they’re a beast!

 

[jeff33]

Other side of the coin is VWs hold their resale price better. Less depreciation

Fair point. I had a T4 a few years back. Brought it with 100k, did another 100k in 6 years and sold it for more than I pay for it. Mind you down my way they are all beach bums and driving around in a transporter is fashionable!!

 

[elainemary]

You can make the insurance as complicated as you like (someone else will if you don't want to)
Normal Social Domestic Pleasure cover should do the trick provided your use is not traceable as any commercial venture -that's what most companies will be looking for
Safety wise carrying bees is no different to anything else- the container is leakproof and securely restrained
Yes they are livestock but do you buy specialist cover to take your tortoise to the vet?
Its normally a case of specialist cover being available for you to buy rather than you actually needing it.
Adrian Flux sorted my vintage motorcycle,car and tractor cover very nicely.

Have you tried a VW forum for watch outs?
I have had Citroen vans for a couple of decades- the after market seems more concerned with things that show so a FSH and good bodywork will help sell it when you've done with it.
That mileage is beginning to get high so a FSH is a nice to have,ply lined cargo hold is useful.
Test drive essential as is Full 12 month MOT -emissions standards are tightening up.
Find a quiet car park and do some powered circles at full steering lock and listen for bumping rattle fresh m th front wheels -CV joints worn.


My late uncle was a rascal,a beekeeper and a VW beetle nut.

I’m now a member of the Facebook VW caddy forum so will asked opinions too - a good call!
According to my 25yr old nephew who is also a VW fan, I should check out the following:
Has it been serviced every 40k miles min. The gear box servicing is important every 40k miles. 1.9lt engine is better than the 2lt as they’ve had issues with the oil pump on the 2lt. Make sure it’s ‘tidy’ no rust, ply lined as you’ve said. Listen to the flywheel when it’s running - is there any rattling.
Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow

 

[Erichalfbee]

I never knew buying a car was so demanding.

 

[elainemary]

Update on my pricing research. 90% of negotiation is information!

From Parkers a 2007 automatic caddy (can’t go back to 2006) with 80k miles is worth £4800 dealer price and £2550 p/e and £3720 private. It cost £15k when new, when money was worth more and no shortage of vans and components

Nothing much comparable on auto trader or e bay. 2006 automatic 151k miles £3500. 2009 114k miles £5000

Now all you ace negotiators, what price would you offer and what is your walk away price? Your wise counsel pls this morning, as he’s bringing it up to show me this afternoon!

 

[elainemary]

I never knew buying a car was so demanding.

Really? I always do my research to make it sound I know my facts and negotiate hard to get the best deal. The savings can go towards more bee gear!

 

[elainemary]

First tips / advice come in on the Vw caddy forum (gosh I’m now a member of 2 forums!)

Open coolant expansion tank slowly.

Listen for a 'whoosh'. A proper whoosh and not a light one. Would signal head lift and gasket failure.

The idle should be relatively smooth and vibration free. Random vibes would signal a failing dual mass flywheel.

Check tyre wear for evenness across tread and particularly on inner edges.

Two keys? Keys are expensive, make sure it has two.

 

[Wilco]

I recommend the Honda Tardis Jazz. A few miles shy of 120k and my mum's got to 199k before someone rear ended hers and the insurance made the wrong call because it would have been a cheap fix. I think five hives is doable. Also off roads adequately given low clearance.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Really? I always do my research to make it sound I know my facts and negotiate hard to get the best deal. The savings can go towards more bee gear!

My car is red....I'd have to go to look what the registration is and I think it's a Suzuki. It's four wheel drive.
My step daughters spend ages online looking at pre used cars and get them delivered and seem to change them every year or two....exhausting

 

[robinharman]

If you change your mind get a Toyota. Or two. Cannot go wrong. Bullet proof. Get a Mk 7 Hilux for bee stuff/fields and an Aygo for the supermarket run and 60+ mpg.

 

[elainemary]

If you change your mind get a Toyota. Or two. Cannot go wrong. Bullet proof. Get a Mk 7 Hilux for bee stuff/fields and an Aygo for the supermarket run and 60+ mpg.

Hi we had a Hilux when renovating our place. Indestructible - Jeremy Clarkson pushed one off a building and it still worked. Just too big for my needs. A tidy little panel van is ideal for me. Can move up to 4 colonies at a time, good height inside for bee gear & economical between out apiaries that are within 3-4 miles of home

I just need to learn how to reverse with wing mirrors rather than reversing camera and windows!

 

[elainemary]

I recommend the Honda Tardis Jazz. A few miles shy of 120k and my mum's got to 199k before someone rear ended hers and the insurance made the wrong call because it would have been a cheap fix. I think five hives is doable. Also off roads adequately given low clearance.

Thanks but I’m sold on a VW caddy. Need to keep focussed and get one sorted. Hubby mightily fed up with me getting propolis over his car!

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Flywheel issue is well known, I had two come into the garage where the dual mass had failed drastically, The springs depart from Flywheel and get thrown around the Bell housing, the two I mention the gearboxes had actually been ground off the engines.

 

[elainemary]

This is the van. Think it’s very tidy, v few marks given it’s 2006 and no rust.

Had MOT this week and no advisories. Full service history. One owner - Bristol city council.

I’ve asked for 2 new front tyres, one new spare and tools; already put a new battery in yesterday. Going to check cam belt and replace if not changed within last 3 years. Gear box services in 2019

Sounds great, very smooth to drive. Got parking sensors. Original 3 sets of keys. Was used as a joiners van.

We’ve shaken on £4250 subject to the above. Happy.

Just need some bee vinyl artwork now, including the message “No bees left in here overnight”

 

[Erichalfbee]

Don’t forget to put I support the Beekeepingforum.co.uk on it.

 

[pargyle]

This is the van. Think it’s very tidy, v few marks given it’s 2006 and no rust.

Had MOT this week and no advisories. Full service history. One owner - Bristol city council.

I’ve asked for 2 new front tyres, one new spare and tools; already put a new battery in yesterday. Going to check cam belt and replace if not changed within last 3 years. Gear box services in 2019

Sounds great, very smooth to drive. Got parking sensors. Original 3 sets of keys. Was used as a joiners van.

We’ve shaken on £4250 subject to the above. Happy.

Just need some bee vinyl artwork now, including the message “No bees left in here overnight”

Looks the job ... I'd be inclined to put 'Lots of bees left in here and ready to sting overnight' though...