I have driven a Vito all over WA and even up to the slopes at Mt Buller as far as handling go they are amazing in the wet/snow etc.
You feel very safe with a load of air bags and the side doors are heavy and rock solid.
Good fuel economy
They have average acceleration and you need to get a bit of a run up to overtake but they drive really fast also the 6 gears really help (A bit easy to speed in so I stay in 5th on the open road 115km)
They are expensive
Yeah they are REALLY REALLY expensive!
I think ill be getting a Toyota Hiace, they look like the cheapest option to run and buy.
I dont do much highway driving so its not really an issue if they are not that quick.
Are Hiaces reliable? Should i get a LWB or SWB?
Cheers
i love my hiace, not too bad to drive everyday, it does get anoying when it comes to a big hill, but mine is a 87 model, all the rest is fine and they are realy eazy to reverse park. and it's very convenient driving around with a bedroom in the back of your car.
Not sure about everyday driving, but the thing I like most about my van (Mercedes Sprinter) are that I can take my gear with me everywhere, so I dont ever have to "pack the car".
Other nice things are:
- sleeps two people, without taking gear out.
- I can stick lots of stuff in it (i have had 5 boards in it + a few more sails than shown)
- mileage is ok at about 10k/l
- short enough to park in a normal parking bay (although I cant go in undercover parking).
Here is a how I layout the gear (sleep on top...):
Looks... COSEY!
i dont think i need a van that big tho!
At the moment i only have 2 boards 1 boom 1 mast and 4 sails! So i think a smaller van would do me quite well!
But that would be awesome if i had the cash!!!!!!
Flachy,
I'd definitely go Long Wheel Base (lwb). Can't see any reason why you wouldn't. You can have a seat in the back and you still have heaps of room behind it to load gear and sleep if necessary.
The back seat adds a lot of options. - transport more people, can use it as a separate area if you're camping out, keep your wind surf tub in there, etc.
On the Hi ace thing. - my mate has a 94 Hiace lwb. Uses it for surfing, Wsfg. He reckons it's great. -solid as. You know mines an Econovan lwb. I'm wrapped with mine, but I would've prefered a hiace if the right one had come up when I was looking. (bit more solid and better resail value)
My first van was an '82 Hiace.
Got it in '89, finally died in '98 (R.I.P "Gus the Bus" - Rusted out)
Fowles Motor auctions are a good place to get a good deal, but you need to do ypur homework first.
