Practically Classics Forum

Hi everyone - been a while since ive posted but its good to be back!

Just a little background, I currently have a defender 90 (tdi) and a Mk1 Mx5, prior to this I drove a Freight Rover sherpa as my only car... so as you can guess I like my cars basic and simple!

Now the problem is I have 2 young kids and need a reliable car to get us all safely and reliably to the south of Spain, potentially 4 times a year (and back!!). The other requirement is space for luggage and the option to camp out, either in the vehicle or via a roof tent, I would also like to be able to make a cuppa without unpacking everything to find the gas stove. Oh also It can not be a wide modern car as the roads in Spain where im headed are narrow and steep!

SO obvious first choice was a Mazda Bongo type thing, but they seem very expensive for what is essentially an old car and there seems to be a lot of mechanical/body work issues to keep on top off, secondly is a defender 110 which im thinking about, but also know ill need a few grand to get it right.

All the other cars/vans/4x4s I look at seem very wide and I dont really trust them mechanically... so does anyone have any suggestion that I haven't thought of or advice on the bongo/110 etc.

I look forward to your responses and I will consider anything... even an old taxi, if I could get a good one

Max budget 7k, preferably 5k or less.

I too am looking for a camping type vehicle. I looked at a couple of Bongos last year as in many ways they would be ideal for what I want but both had rusty sills and people seem to ask high prices for what they are. I ended up buying a VW T4 1.9 turbo diesel which was very good except that it was so slow going up any sort of hill that I just couldn't live with it.

I am now thinking about a 110 Defender, having a pop top put on it and doing a very basic conversion myself.

MK3 Transit minibus, available from 8-15 seats standard - long wheelbase so you can pull a row or two of seats out. The Tourneo (mk4 onwards) is a "luxury" version of the same thing. They are CHEAP and mechanically really strong.
As you already have a Land Rover it would probably be the most sensible to swap it for a 110 as you are already familiar with it. They back is more than big enough to sleep in.

sd1 rover? loads of space & comfy..
or one like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/25237324 ... rmvSB=true
we have a galaxy class cruiser like this, eats up miles fairly reliable apart from wipers & drivers door glass
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Galaxy-T ... SwYmZXE0Ol

EricTheRed wrote:I too am looking for a camping type vehicle. I looked at a couple of Bongos last year as in many ways they would be ideal for what I want but both had rusty sills and people seem to ask high prices for what they are. I ended up buying a VW T4 1.9 turbo diesel which was very good except that it was so slow going up any sort of hill that I just couldn't live with it.

I am now thinking about a 110 Defender, having a pop top put on it and doing a very basic conversion myself.

Thank you for the advice on the T4, I to have been looking at them but couldn't cope with anything too asthmatic on the steep stuff, especially when wanting to keep up with traffic. I will rule them out of my list... Thanks!

I agree that a bongo is the idea car, small, narrow, pop top, 4x4 etc but I just cant justify potentially spending a few grand getting the arches sorted on something that is as popular and common as it is, I am about to spend near that on my MX5 but feel it is a long term investment!

I will continue looking at 110s, I know the 300tdi is a strong lump, mine has 225k on the clock and I have driven all over Scotland and Ireland in it and trust it 100%

TerryG wrote:MK3 Transit minibus, available from 8-15 seats standard - long wheelbase so you can pull a row or two of seats out. The Tourneo (mk4 onwards) is a "luxury" version of the same thing. They are CHEAP and mechanically really strong.
As you already have a Land Rover it would probably be the most sensible to swap it for a 110 as you are already familiar with it. They back is more than big enough to sleep in.

Interestingly I do have a transit minibus Mk3 with the non turbo 2.5Di (its not actually mine but belongs to a business i run with a friend) I find it is O.K and always starts pretty much first time, despite only being used once or twice a month!

I do find the front seats really uncomfortable for a long run though and rusty arches and sills is an issue with them... i suppose if i could find a good one I might be tempted, although in SWB due to the hair pin bends on the country roads in Andalusia.

is there anything i should particularly be looking at mechanically on them?

You are a tad too early I'm afraid, but no harm having a look. VW brings back the camper van.

jaycey001 wrote: Thank you for the advice on the T4, I to have been looking at them but couldn't cope with anything too asthmatic on the steep stuff, especially when wanting to keep up with traffic. I will rule them out of my list... Thanks!

Later diesel T4s had bigger engines - a 2.4 then 2.5 litre which presumably are less sluggish! But all VW vans seem expensive for what they are.

Have a look for some GLX or Tourneo front seats, they are much comfier and leather was an option.

if you do facebook look up ford transit self build several converted vans for sale or just to give you an idea