Mopar Muscle Association UK

So as not to hi jack Paul's thread. Here's mine that could do with some input please.

So. I'm a self employed Chippy who has worked along side my dad for the past 20 years or so. ( not full time ). We have always had a van which we have " shared " when possible , however the truck comes into play now and again.
My dad is retiring next year , but knowing him he will still do small work as and when he pleases so I plan to leave him the van and his tools so he can escape from my mum when he needs !!!

I have been offered a contract that will run from Jan to April , however this is in Kent so a lot of travelling on the lovely M25 during rush hour. Not something I think the old Ram would cope well with. No head restraints ,not brilliant brakes etc are factors a bit worrying against modern vehicles during busy road conditions.
Wifey has a little Polo to run her and the kids about so I have been thinking instead of another van ( my budget will be about 5k) perhaps something that could lug my tools about and the family at weekends etc.
I also can't go any longer than 17' I have been looking at Rams etc but they seem slightly beyond budget. Also Lincoln Navigators. Caddy Escalades etc.
what do you reckon ?
If I go this way my bike and truck will have to go to fund it. Not something I want to do but needs must blah blah.
Perhaps I should just get a van and be miserable daily doing long hours with a diesel rattle in my ear as I dream of my lost truck ?
Or , upgrade the truck somehow ? Although the hours would be long and it being winter with no garage , repairs would be hard.
HELP !!!

Let you Dad hoon around in the truck, while you take the van backwards and forwards to kent.

My mates got a Transit Connect Tourneo with 5 seats rears are removeable...105k, History, just done the injectors, runs great, needs nothing..1.8TDCi, drives like a car, sounds the ticket to me???.......£2500

I have been looking at Rams etc but they seem slightly beyond budget. Also Lincoln Navigators. Caddy Escalades etc.

What is it with Mopar members and crazy daily drivers?

hehe

Transit would make sense.

Les Szabo wrote:My mates got a Transit Connect Tourneo with 5 seats rears are removeable...105k, History, just done the injectors, runs great, needs nothing..1.8TDCi, drives like a car, sounds the ticket to me???.......£2500

Cheers Les but. Unfortunately plodding in a V8 daily has become almost a therapy after a days graft. I'll never be sensibl now !!!
I did try. Merc C class , full Merc history cam chain snapped
Mondeo estate. Thought a starter problem big ring gear thing. Welded not sweated on, engine out etc
Even my 06 transit. Brake calliper shattered. Egr valves and last week the cat.

Can't beat a Ram !

Those transit connects eat fuel like no tomorrow.

GJUK wrote:

I have been looking at Rams etc but they seem slightly beyond budget. Also Lincoln Navigators. Caddy Escalades etc.

What is it with Mopar members and crazy daily drivers?

hehe

Transit would make sense.

So would a dog as a family member and not a croc !!!

We used to have a fleet of Connects at work, great little vans to buzz about in, was considering buying one as a daily last time around. My daily is just an appliance, so cheap, reliable, economical and practical are all I'm bothered about.

mas wrote:Those transit connects eat fuel like no tomorrow.

Cheers Mas. My neighbour wasn't impressed by his connect.
All modern diesel vans and large cars aren't that good on fuel. My mates "Disco" is a lot worse than my truck. And slow and noisy to boot !

Blue wrote:We used to have a fleet of Connects at work, great little vans to buzz about in, was considering buying one as a daily last time around. My daily is just an appliance, so cheap, reliable, economical and practical are all I'm bothered about.

Thanks for your view Blue.
I just havnt had much luck being sensible.
Perhaps carrying tools kills em quicker ? Although that's what they are meant to do !

Where abouts in Kent mossy68? I'm also a chippy from Kent.

mas wrote:Where abouts in Kent mossy68? I'm also a chippy from Kent.

Wanna job so I can keep my truck ?

Job is in Tunbridge Wells I'm in Romford.

just finished an extension on a school in tunbridge last week, always find it's an awkward place to get too, from Ashford anyways

Oh. Another important point I missed is that I live in an area where vans are regularly targeted hence the van living at my parents.

And Bryan. My dad don't do left hookers

mas wrote:just finished an extension on a school in tunbridge last week, always find it's an awkward place to get too, from Ashford anyways

Not going to be great for me mate. Solid work through the winter months though.