New/Prospective Owners What are they like to drive?

Hacksawbob

Some prospective owners may be interested to know what these vans are like to drive, with so many options of engine and high top/ pop top etc it can be difficult to give a general experience but I am going to add to this wiki thread any postings about general experiences. My personal experience is coming from a small car and a bay window to T25 ownership. Initially they can seem large and cumbersome, but that feeling soon passes after a while so driving it is like slipping on a comfortable pair of worn in shoes. The distance from the front nearside corner is one I still find hard to judge and I have lost a couple of bumper end caps but I guess that's just a case of my driving, reversing I also seem to think I am nearer than I actually am and leave a larger gap than needed. Cross winds can be surprise to the new owner especially on high tops. You get to recognise bridges, overpasses and weather conditions that are likely to cause problems, but during that learning period in extreme weather should be driven with caution o avoid the "auto lane change feature" Cold weather can make starting a problem if batteries are not up to snuff combined with old wiring and corroded earths. Gearboxes can also be nothchy whilst cold particularly first to second and getting worse in winter, some expensive oils can delay the inevitable gear box rebuild. Boxes can be a bit whiney in some gears esp 2nd. Exhausts tend to corrode and blow give the engines a fruity note, and wind noise can make conversation difficult with anyone in the back of a camper/panel van (caravelles have better sound proofing.) Also steering can be difficult to get used to by anyone used to power steering (it was an option available on the T25) and anyone with less than average upper body strength low speed manoeuvres can leave them panting but at speed it is no issue. So COMPARED TO A MODERN VEHICLE its noisy, thirsty, slow and difficult to drive.

I have driven a 1.9 petrol and a 2.1 injection. Both, if in good condition, will pull well in 2nd and third the 1.9 has less pull in 4th with a tendency to struggle on long hills On a motorway and a drop down to 3rd is sometimes necessary. The 2.1 when it is in form is lovely to drive and will have enough to hold its own with most traffic on the motorway and have a little in reserve to overtake when necessary. They are thirsty beasts and an LPG conversion is a route that many people take to make it an affordable experience. Previously I would be filling the petrol tank every other week on a 40 mile a day commute and some general driving locally on the weekend so for a 50L tank it was like £45 which stung. I fill my 50L LPG tank for £16 (you can only get 45L litres in it) and get about 140 miles out of it driving mostly at 65mph (2.1L petrol engine using a carb) 14MPG. I drove it at 50 on a long journey and that went up to 160miles 16MPG) I have heard others get over 20MPG and my LPG system seems like it may need "setting up" again, But I have found this makes little difference in the past.

. Maintenance can only be described as costly. I recently had a spate of coolant leaks which resulted me being £200 lighter at VW prices. I suppose I spend about £1K a year on both vehicles just keeping them running, road legal and safe. Membership of 80-90 has helped to keep this to a minimum by finding second hand bits and the experience so I can fit them.

There is however an indefinable enjoyment that many seem to get, manifested by the "big grin" and the community that surrounds which goes beyond the tin and rubber that the vehicle is made from.

Ermie

I have both a 1.9 and a 2.1 water cooled. Both have enough oooomph along as you don't expect to be the fastest off the lights...charge up hills...or cruise at 85 on the motorway. If you respect the fact that the engine is trying to push over 2 ton along the road, you'll be fine.

And if anything like me, you'll enjoy driving it soooo much that the fact that the journey is a bit longer won't matter.

print off and take with you the buyers guide.....

as for engines......they can be fairly easily replaced. So if it really does go bang it is not the end of the world, but really bad rust is......

As for pop top v high top - the debate rages.........I love my pop top, if only because it means I cannot leave it full of "rubbish" after each trip! but can still sleep two children in the roof, or walk around the van comfortably if it is just me and other half.

If you can, have a drive of the thing. Also have a ride. Think about where you are going to be taking it and why. Mine is a daily drive, with a few carparks where not even the pop-top would get in, bu my tin-top does.

Then having made all the practical decisions....go out an look and buy the one you fall in love with....it may or may not match your "practical" decision!

Good luck, and enjoy your van.

Nicola&Tony

1.9L DG watercooled = plenty of ooooomph for camping journeys, but probably not for racing, so it depends what you want to use your van for?! Ours cruises comfortably at 65mph on dual carriageway / motorway but will go up to 70mph if needed for overtaking.

Vic20 Did about 80+ once when we were late for a ferry but didn't really like it an the fuel economy was woefull. Must be something to do with aerodynamics, brick with a brick tied to it.