Wannabe owner - buying now Lon-Cornwall

[berlingoist]

Wannabe owner - buying now London-Cornwall
Having difficulty finding the right Berlingo for me.

No kids, 1 small dog, 1 aged mum.
No use for back seats and plan 4to6, 550mile, fully-loaded (boxes) round trips, per annum.So have been looking at vans but can't find a smart clean, pref low milage one in my price range 3-4k.
Now looking at Multispace and folding back seats but worry about loss of loading depth. Looks like only 2 boxes high instead of 3 in a van. Worry about boxes flying thru windscreen when braking hard.

Also need advice on engine sizes & fuel economy. Where do I post about this please ?

[Ol'Jeffers]

Welcome.
You'll probably looking for something along the lines of a
1.6HDi or 2.0l diesel or 1.6l petrol Mk.2.
So you'll want post your questions in the Mk.2 forum.

[Tomcat3]

Hi there get yourself a multispace or peogeot partner version 2.0 hdi with decent service history. You should get around 50mpg. With the rear seats up there is plenty of room for even a large dog to get comfortable or move about in the back. With the seats folded you can get loads in even do house moves with them, its like a tardis inside. Seats are just the right height to easily slide in and out if you a bit immobile or the arther is kicking in. If you dont mind going a bit slower go for the 1.9 derv they last forever and you get about 45mpg out of them.
Watch out for models with the multi panelled glass roof as they have been known to leak. There are plenty out there its just a matter of tracking down a good one, Good luck.

[geoff]

With the aged mother get her to try the vehicle for getting in / out as this could be a deal breaker, the seats may be good but will she be able to lift her feet over the sill - I have experience of an aged father.

[Tomcat3]

Just a thought the tax on a van is more than a car so factor that into your costs.

[ron]

The height problem will be lessened with a Forte rather than a Desire model.There are tie downs (3 each side) & you could use them to retain a bulkhead made of ply or whatever.
The rear seat come out relatively easy & you will be buying a great vehicle.:thumbsup::thumbsup::woop:

[berlingoist]

Great feedback & advice. Very helpful. Thank you all.
There seems to be much more choice in cars than vans and the price diff seems to drop to almost zero after a very few years.

Didn't realise about the road tax diff either so thanks for that.

"With the seats folded you can get loads in even do house moves with them, its like a tardis inside."
Yep thats my plan a (part) house move in easy stages which would otherwise cost a grand or so.

The 2.0 hdi seems highly regarded. Have read only positives about it.
I would have assumed a gass guzzler but it seems not !!!

[slugulike]

The 2.0 HDi is a big engine in a relatively small vehicle so it's not under any stress. I have a much bigger Citroen van (a Relay) with this engine it and the engine will pull well even with a heavy load.

When did they stop making Berlingos with the 2.0 HDi ? cratch: