Transit vs Vivaro/Traffic/Primastar

[tolly]

Hi, Im after a new van, I havnt got the money to get a decent transporter really so im down to either a transit swb mk6 (56 onwards) or a vivaro (06 onwards). I have about 6k to play with, what would you get and what do you think is more reliable?

 

[tolly]

I love the look of the vivaros and how they drive but im put off by the horror stories of the chocolate Renault gearboxes in them and the common stuck knackered gearboxes in them etc. I don't want a hiace, I know they are bullet proof but there a bit too agricultural for me, also I don't really want a vito for a few reasons. Has anyone found the mk6 transits to be better than the vivaros?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

out of the transit and pile of cack the vivaro etc,i would get a transit,yes they can rust bad but there a lot more reliable,mate of mine last week lost the engine in his vivaro it seized injector fault apparently,he was just picking it up from having a windscreen replaced

 

[Chalked]

The vivaro's look pretty, but everyone I know who has had one pays a fortune every time they go wrong. Anything over 100,000 miles os worthless. Transits have their problems, but the parts are cheap.
Try one of the ex utility transits. They may look a bit tatty, but they get properly maintained.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Ex council transits are (usually) serviced every 3-6 months, and most haven't got 150,000 miles on the clock

 

[tolly]

Thanks for the replys. I know the facelift vivaros from 56 onwards with the 2.0 chain driven engine are better than the older 1.9 belt driven ones but I still hear of a lot of problems with the facelift ones. I think the transit will probably earn me more money in the long run

 

[Alpha man]

I had a 07 Trafic from new, did 122k in it over 6 years, had the usual recalls sorted, aircon repaired, new drivers seat and a radio replaced all under the warranty, only fault I had to pay for was a new air flow meter at 115k miles, was still on original clutch too, replaced it with a Vivaro now!!

 

[tolly]

And yes, the main reason I wanted a vivaro is they look nicer and drive a bit better, but I cant hide from the stories of them always having problems, Even if I can get a 57 plate with around 50-60k miles for my budget.

 

[bright spark]

I've had 3 since 2002. Never had a fault that kept me off the road. Maybe I've been lucky but I find them to be a great van very comfy, good on diesel

 

[Rich8]

Have you looked at a vito six k should get you one . I've had two superb vans