Like I am keen to do some more travel and I am going to try and get a little van like a Nipper there are a few second hand ones around and I have just bought a second hand Suzi GV 4x4 as I like to fish and do outdorsy stuff. A dude was trying to sell me a Camry but I am not confident towing with front wheel drive.
Has anyone got a Nipper? The ones I've seen all look good cosmetically and they don't have brakes cuz they are light just wondering.
Ashe

Hi ash, good combination, the nipper and the little suzi, you wouldnt have any problem towing with a front wheel drive, a lot of people knock them but I am still doing our house up for sale ( I have a v6 magna front wheel drive) I am at the moment reconcreting around the place and consistently hauling 1.5 - 2 ton trailer loads of old cement up to various landfills without any problem, it is personal choice, see a lot of front wheel drives towing all over the place and with big vans on the back, but I think suzi would do you well. the camry is a good vehicle by the way, if looked after and serviced regular as with any vehicle

Ashe, is your Suzi like this one, V6 GV? they will go anywhere and pull about 2000kg from memory has it got a tow pack fitted? With all secondhand vans you have to check for evidence of water leaks, have a good look underneath, check the chassis for cracks and damage and if you buy it privately check out who has it for sale. If the take care of their house and car they probably took care of their van. Otherwise get a mechanic to look over it for mechanical problems. Make sure that everything works, stove fridge lights et cetera as replacing caravan bits is expensive because if it starts with C for Caravan it is expensive.

-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 18:40, 2008-10-05

Bas, I have just bought the Suzi, it's a 2004, 80,000km V6 Grand Vitara. I like changed my mind on the nipper Cuz I heard the Viscount ppl went broke and I thought of spares so I'm still looking around. Like I found this Avan

A Van "The Gabriel"

Light with single beds, Battery Pack and Solar Panel

Phone: 03 527496 70, 0418 311 668, 0418 311196

New or Used: used Tare: 915 Berth: two

front kitchen, rangehood, microwave, 3 way fridge, storage boot, insulated, galvanised chassis, electric brakes., single bed  REDUCED!!!

offer ends:31 October ,2008

Oooops the pics didn't come out anyway its mine for $12000 if I want it but I would have to fit a like brake thing to the Suzi I think.
Avans like get a good review in the mags.
What to you guyz think?

A Vans have a good reputation but as I said and in this case even more so due to the battery and solar panel, make sure they are working, check the date on the battery if it's older that say 2 years I'd be asking for a new one or a consideration to replace it. If you get yourself a multi meter and check out if the Solar panel is also charging the battery. Measure the voltage across the battery terminals in sun and just make sure that there is around 13 - 15 volts there should be ok. If less than 13 volts it may not be charging the battery. Turn on all the 12 volt "stuff" in the van and check the voltage, if it drops under 12 volts under load then something is suss.
So..... "The Gabriel" Hmmmm now that will have some blowing their horns won't it?
Would be a piece of cake to tow.....

Ashe
Do not take my reply too serious if you want this van. I have always found when something is "reduced" for a short time only, there's a catch. Normally it is for a week, but this is for longer - more suspect.

I do not know, what it is worth, and I am sure a search of the internet would tell me. I would suggest watching "the Castle", and use their terms "your dreaming" at the price. Very few would want a 2 berth, the economic conditions are against them, and fuel prices are holding everyone back.

If you want it, offer them MUCH less for cash, by saying "will you take an offer". If they suggest they would, then you can deal really, really hard - walking away, with your cheque book in hand, is a real test to them. Its a buyers market, and as Basil say's, if it is not as it should be, you need to have purchased it at a cost of making it what it should be.

Always remember, there is better, but sometimes it is worth, getting something now at a cost that will not matter when that something better arrives.

My twobob's worth

twobob wrote:

---

Ashe
Do not take my reply too serious if you want this van. I have always found when something is "reduced" for a short time only, there's a catch. Normally it is for a week, but this is for longer - more suspect.

I do not know, what it is worth, and I am sure a search of the internet would tell me. I would suggest watching "the Castle", and use their terms "your dreaming" at the price. Very few would want a 2 berth, the economic conditions are against them, and fuel prices are holding everyone back.

If you want it, offer them MUCH less for cash, by saying "will you take an offer". If they suggest they would, then you can deal really, really hard - walking away, with your cheque book in hand, is a real test to them. Its a buyers market, and as Basil say's, if it is not as it should be, you need to have purchased it at a cost of making it what it should be.

Always remember, there is better, but sometimes it is worth, getting something now at a cost that will not matter when that something better arrives.

My twobob's worth

---

That is good advice, deal hard, you have nothing to loose, the net is chockers with vans of the type you are after Ashe. Seriously offer them $8k and see what happens but if you really want that van because you like it and don't want to have to fart around you may have to go to $11K. The van is probably worth more but it is a buyers market now.
People are not buying vans at the moment because of fuel prices and this time of year is normally when most vans sell as the weather warms up

ashe, stroll in to the sales area with your head held high, take a good look around the unit, do all as above (good advice there) look kinda disinterested, when the salesman comes over just say " looking at this one as well as three others in about the same condition" make it known you are paying cash, you are the one in charge here not the salesperson , you have the power and encouragement of the forum to fall back on, use it to empower yourself, it can be very daunting and some salesmen like the feeling of "I've got it you want it you come to me" dont give them that power, take the power yourself, make him the offer of $8,000 but also allow him the knowledge that you will negotiate, dont seem too eager, look as though you will walk away, its a buyers market with interest rates and fuel prices, walk as if you own the place, not crawling. be prepared to walk away there are plenty more just as good, anyway good luck

I put in an offer but the people said I will have to wait till 31st before they can tell me anything. Like they are hoping someone will offer them more I spose.
Not worried, plenty around. Love you guyz always know so much about things.
Ashe