[Doc HM]

MY turn to get a new ride. For a while now I've been looking out for a van for my business, both to improve on the appalling fuel economy of my current Peugeot estate (wagon) and to serve as a mobile advertisement for the business.

Initially I was looking for a 2CV van because they are funky and everyone loves a 2CV, but alas they have prooved hard to find and expensive to boot. I considered a Smart car but really no one notices them anymore and they too can be pricey. I thought about a Morris Minor too, but they would be too old really.

Anyway, the spectre of having to plump for a standard white van has lifted thanks to this little fella found courtesy of the 'bay.

Fiat Cinquecento van (special order from the factory, I've not ever seen another one. 998cc of raw 60mpg power! Quite a cutesy though.





It's off to the signage company now to make it look like this:

Cute, and seems perfectly suited to the application. Around here, people think a painted up Hummer is a suitable business vehicle.

[ghporter]

That sure does look like it fits the bill. One functional, rolling billboard.

[The Final Dakar]

That's gonna kill your resale value.

[reader50]

I like the white glass. Privacy for the injured Mac - it can reach the shop with dignity intact.

[Spheric Harlot]

Ooh.

I've currently slightly fallen in love with this van:



Still trying to figure out whether a two- or three-year-old one of these can be accomodated in our family budget, or whether we'll settle for a ten-year-old VW Golf or Passat wagon, and the maintenance that will require (which I won't be doing myself, in either case. I'm just a driver).

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

That's gonna kill your resale value.

Don't worry - it's a manual.

[Oisín]

[hijack]

Silende regn
da riderne kom
og bortførte mig

Kom ride flyv mig
kom ride fang mig nu
kom ride flyt mig
kom ride find mig nu
find mig nu

[/hijack]

(First thing that came to mind)

[Sealobo]

put a mac on the roof.

[reader50]

Since it's coming to the rescue of injured Macs, it should have a Ghostbusters assembly on the roof. Light bars, sat dish, siren horns, gas cylinders, and other mystery items. PS work needed to show the proper appearance.

[olePigeon]

Heck, why not just use the Ghostbusters vehicle? That'd be awesome.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

Don't worry - it's a manual.

It won't be nearly as reliable as an automatic. Nor as fun to drive. What will the enthusiast forums say?!?!

[imitchellg5]

Those are interesting looking seats. That actually looks like it would be somewhat entertaining to drive through narrow country roads. Preferably without customer's Macs in the back

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

Ooh.

I've currently slightly fallen in love with this van:



Still trying to figure out whether a two- or three-year-old one of these can be accomodated in our family budget, or whether we'll settle for a ten-year-old VW Golf or Passat wagon, and the maintenance that will require (which I won't be doing myself, in either case. I'm just a driver).

Duh! Just get the old car and replace shocks, struts, springs, sway bars, end links, tires, brakes, cams, crank, heads, radiator, wiring harness, radio, seats, roof, doors, and it will last you another ten years. Let the lemmings drive the lemming new lemming cars. Lemming. Sheeple.

[Jens Peter]

Congratulations on your new car, never seen a van-edition -- post pictures when it's returned from the paintshop!

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Duh! Just get the old car and replace shocks, struts, springs, sway bars, end links, tires, brakes, cams, crank, heads, radiator, wiring harness, radio, seats, roof, doors, and it will last you another ten years. Let the lemmings drive the lemming new lemming cars. Lemming. Sheeple.

That's only worth it if it's a manual.

[Railroader]

I read that in a book once.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

That's only worth it if it's a manual.

It was a Manual. Beyond that, your list pretty much nails it - except that the radio, roof, and doors were fine, but the exhaust needs replacing. I had to get rid of it, as the safety inspection was due and I would have had to have all that done to pass.

Really like the Citroën van, but it's kind of too much money for "just" a car.

[mattyb]

I shall wave like an idiot if I ever see you when I'm visiting Blighty.