UKC

Hi All

I have been looking at getting a new shaped VW Caddy van, I think they are about 2005 onwards, I suspect I will go for the 104PS version as ive driven a T5 with that engine which felt pretty nippy so im sure it'll be grand in a smaller van. Does anybody have one of these? Has it been a good van? It will be for work and climbing so im looking for something reliable and that doesn't drink fuel.

Thanks

Sam

In reply to Sheffield Sam:

Had a 140ps Caddy Maxi window van for 11 months & love it.

I've got an average of 43mpg over 16,000 miles.
Powerwise more than adequate for me; cruises effortlessly at motorway speeds.
Sleep 2 in the back on a bed platform and there's still loads of room for gear.

I don't think the 104ps does significantly more mpg

People are starting to use things like Berlingos and I can see the benefit over a Caddy because its tall enough to sit in, I think even with some sort of chair. However they are not long enough to lie in, without going across diagonally, which is a major drawback since that is fine on your own but not obviously if you are with your climbing partner.

Thats why I have looked at Caddies because obviously they are longer, but I assume you can't sit up in them and therefore they make poor day vans. I also question the point in them given that they are expensive when you could just buy an estate?

Unfortunatly as its going to be a work van as well I cant just get away with an estate car, the reason I like the caddy is it seems fractionally bigger than the berlingos ect so will make it more helpful for work.

Thanks hat dude, sounds like you are happy with your one!

In reply to Sheffield Sam: look at the Skoda Roomster (say the 1.9 105PS) then you'll know it makes sense

In reply to Lupine Lacuna:

You're possibly getting confused with the old Caddy; I can sit up on top of the bed platform inside mine & that is 450mm above the van floor (I'm 180cm tall). I reckon I could sit on a camping chair inside.

I looked at the new Berlingo & they are possibly a little wider but the Caddy Maxi is much longer & just as high, better built & with a better engine too.

Thats good to know Hat dude with regards to the bed height, I was going to put a single bed down one side that I can sleep on/put tools in and under when its in work van mode. 450mm depth will be ample for tool boxes, drills ect

In reply to Sheffield Sam:

I've seen these too and thought it'd potentially be a great van. But how long is the rear deck area - how tall a person, or pair, would they be able to accommdate fully stretched out?

According to a review ive just had a look at, the rear load length is 1781mm.

Sam

In reply to Sheffield Sam:

55000 miles so far in our 140 Caddy Maxi (including Greece and back) and many nights 'camping' for two. Superb engine/handy 6 speed box for long Euro-motorway journeys. Leaf springs good for weight-carrying but not racy for country lanes (but OK).

Absolutely faultless so far (apart from a squeaky side door).

Carl

In reply to Sheffield Sam:
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Hmm, that's about 100-150mm shorter than required. Too bad, they looked the biz.

Although expensive I suppose VW's are good because they dont look too offensive...

Nick Bullock raves about his Berlingo, but then he is spartan..