Thanks all for the replies, in response add to add a bit more detail...
Do you have an approximate budget in mind?
Yes, should have said, I’d like to think I could get something suitable for around £5k (or less)
I have a friend whose only criteria for buying a car is that a bike can fit in standing up and that it is easy to park. He has a VW Touran that he is extremely happy with. It is also very good value and quality as an everyday car. My friend places the bike diagonally and at least his fits without removing the wheel.
Thanks, there’s plenty of those in my ideal budget range, I’d dismissed it as being not high enough floor to ceiling, I’ll take a closer look
I have a Chrysler voyager automatic, and it can fit bikes in upright without taking wheels off
That’s more my style, I wonder how pick you could pick up a well looked after older one? Autotrader here I come...
My buddy has a Ford transit in navy blue not the plain white. Bike just rolls in.
Thanks, I’ve looked at the Ford vans and for the money I want to spend they’ve all done hard mileage or look like a skip
One of the better vehicles I have had for fitting the bike in was a Nissan Largo Highway star.
Thanks again, I’ll need to google it as we don’t have this model in the UK?
Is this taking the place of your other car, or something you are buying mainly to go biking?
Good question and one reason for the frugal budget, the ‘vehicle’ will be in addition to the his and hers we already have, the other reason is that after buying the bike, a new shed for it to live in, more tools, kit, upgrades Etc. Etc. (You ALL know what I mean) I may need to find somewhere else to live if I go over £5k for the new wheels (she said, “can’’t you get something for a grand” ?
Thanks for all the advice on the vans - been there, even done the man thing and spec’d up a brand new one with all the toys I could have on it - if only I was a bachelor....
Assuming you are looking at second hand vans, the Vivaro can be had with a slush box, as can Mercedes Vitos. The Merc has tin worm issues and the Vivaro is, well, a Renault with a Vauxhall badge.
Thanks, same story as the fords really, all shitters at my budget..
I've got my 2nd Transporter, a T6 DSG, fits any bike in, drives like a car, won't fall to bits in a couple of years like a Transit or Sprinter, and keeps its value amazingly well at trade in time
Would love one!
I don’t kike saying this but in the Honda jazz the seats used to tilt backwards so you could fit a bike across the car.
Very much an old persons car driven at 20mph below the speed limit.
Thanks but no thanks - I still think I’m far too young for a Jazz (even though I’m not...)
I have recently been looking to solve the same problem. I don't like vans because they are all slow, rust in no time, very basic interior and expensive for what they are (especially VW). I've been looking at jap import MPV,s. From what I gather from the interweb, the Toyota Alphard is the best in 2 or 4 wheel drive with surprisingly high powered engines. I myself like the look of the Nissan elgrand and Toyota grand hiace because I would like to be able to carry a Mx bike. I have yet to measure up either but I think they are the biggest of the import MPV,s.
Best shout so far, I’ve been looking at the Japanese imports too - Nissan and Toyota due a number of variants and you can pick them up low mileage with service history (for what it’s worth) well inside my budget - the majority are fully loaded too. Trouble is all the ones I’ve seen are 100’s of miles away - which is a long way to go to find out its doesn’t meet my criteria (hence the post to learn from someone else’s experience. However, I can see myself ending up with something like this ??
Just to clarify - the M sport transit is a twin turbo and rapid. It has full leather and all the gizmos you’d expect in a car. It drives like a car but with a better viewpoint. Mine is a long wheelbase and I have a row of seats behind the driver 2 x sliding side doors and then can get 4 bikes in my bikestow rack in the rear. It is a special edition transit but still cheaper than a VW. Comes with full body kit and OZ alloys. Worth a look if you’re in the market.
Sooo tempting! STOP IT!
It depends on what your looking at spending. The Jap mpv imports are £5000-£8000. The sporty euro vans are no doubt £15,000+ and the transit will be rotten out at 8-10 years old.
More good advice and in-line with my research too
Keep them coming lads!
