littletimmy 71 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Well looking at a new dogging mate but the insurance restricts what i can get. SO im looking at about a small 99-01 van at about 1.8. These are the two i've came up with for relativly cheap, and practical. Now lets here your arguments for and against each Ill be doing alot of motorway miles so fuel efficent is ideal. Also my astra estate didnt like stopping and starting like you do when lamping so does this go for all astras or did i just have a bad'un? Needs to have a fair bit of room to for putting tools and stuff in. I'll also need to put a couple of seats in the back (facing backwards, with seatbelts etc) Anyone know the law regarding this? If you have any other suggestions, they will be considored too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 160 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Go for a Combo with a sliding door. They are very reliable, and have good mpg. I've had a few astras, and they are ok, but abit low in the back. You start the week with everything neatly organised, and by the end of the week everything is at the rear of the loadspace because it's such a pain in the arse to climb in and out. I'm not a ford fan. A combo with a sliding door would also be better for installation of back seats.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littletimmy 71 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 cant find a combo in my price range with a sliding door? Dont think they do em on the older model? not often tools go in anyway so thats not really an issue as long as i can get em in when needed lol anyone else? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
derbylad 1 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 ive had all 3 mate newest being the combo at a r reg, astra drove the best and fastest by far but as stated no room mite aswell use a estate car ,combo was shite to drive but big space in back,and escort was best on fuel but shite slow but saying all this the astra was a turbo diesel as for seats get on flea bay there on there every now and then aslong as they have seat belts they will pass a mot but if they aint just take em out for mot cheers leighton Quote Link to post Share on other sites
derbylad 1 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 ive had all 3 mate newest being the combo at a r reg, astra drove the best and fastest by far but as stated no room mite aswell use a estate car ,combo was shite to drive but big space in back,and escort was best on fuel but shite slow but saying all this the astra was a turbo diesel as for seats get on flea bay there on there every now and then aslong as they have seat belts they will pass a mot but if they aint just take em out for motcheers leighton just to add on flea bay u get the old vans with the seats in sometimes + cheap van is the seat one get them with seats aswell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
derbylad 1 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort. was your escort td? mine was 18 and best on fuel just depends on how well its been looked after i guess Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrier man 38 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Iv had an astra for a while now takes some shit... id go for the 1.7tdci astras they run on just the smell of it... and when lamping an economic car is whats best to have as you can go that bit further and dont have to be watching the fuel .. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort.had em both astra best by far like matt says bit low for in n out .. i`m running astra estate now with the back seats down same room as a van quick vac out seats up and i`ve got a car again i had the windows tinted tow bar fitted . a big trailer tows a treat - works for me - Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort. was your escort td? mine was 18 and best on fuel just depends on how well its been looked after i guess Not owned an escort van but driven a fair few and didn't like them much, prefer other ford models, my astra had a 1.7 diesel engine and did well over 50mpg. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littletimmy 71 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort.had em both astra best by far like matt says bit low for in n out .. i`m running astra estate now with the back seats down same room as a van quick vac out seats up and i`ve got a car again i had the windows tinted tow bar fitted . a big trailer tows a treat - works for me - Must admit, i liked my astra estate, had window tinting kit just waiting for a warm day to do em but then the brakes went dodgey, the steering went, the engine needs replacing and it spits out oil like theres no tomorrow. It was a little sluggish at times but got me away from a few nasty gamekeepers and landowners with ease. another thing that i hated was i needed the key to open the boot .. whats that all about ? ? Only a small issue but made a big enough difference in jipo'in the dogs if there was no one in the back seats to get em over.. so any future car .. that will be the first thing i check. seems like the astra is the overall favourite? keep the opinions coming Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 IMO astras are a better ride and more fuel efficient than the escort.had em both astra best by far like matt says bit low for in n out .. i`m running astra estate now with the back seats down same room as a van quick vac out seats up and i`ve got a car again i had the windows tinted tow bar fitted . a big trailer tows a treat - works for me - another thing that i hated was i needed the key to open the boot .. whats that all about ? ? i know what you mean tiz a pain in the arse . got to admit i`ve had to have work on the brakes for the last 2 mots i brought it while my ford maverick was having work done i liked it so much i sold the maverick and kept it i`ve had it nearly 3 yr now not bad for a car i brought to get me by for a couple of months -- it was a £400 ebay job ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littletimmy 71 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 So is yours the same with the boot thing then? Are all astras like this? You'll see me stood at the traffic lights waiting for astras to get stopped, then running to the boot to see if it needs a key "excuse me sir, this is not a robbery, don't drive off and i will close the boot behind me " Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 think the older ones are all the same? - re the boot key Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GoneToGround1 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 from experience from mates any diesel vauxhall has trouble with diesel pumps...aastra van is mine and my mates hunting vehicle good room for terrierboxes tools and lurchers does plenty of MPG and the 1.7 TD goes pretty well....much rather a escort 1.8 standard diesel what a van what more can i say much slower than the astras and combos but with all ford be it escort estate or van the bodywork always seems to go before the engine and them engines take some bullying Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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