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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Thinking I can manage a combi van?

33 replies

cultkid · 15/09/2022 14:55

Hey I've not driven a van before but I'm a very comfortable driver except in a multi story car park

I drive a big car and always have

We now have three kids

I have seen a really good deal for a vw transporter combi so it's got 5 seats two in the front three in the back and a big boot
I think I should get one for my car

Only worry is that I won't have vision through the back so I'll have to use just the mirrors and sensors
I am really into using my middle mirror and I wondered if I would feel suffocated without it

What do we think? It's cheaper then a discovery or an xc90 to lease and also has more space...

I am not worried about the size it's the mirror thing

Thank you

OP posts:
Carrieonmywaywardsun · 15/09/2022 14:57

What about a T4/5 with windows in the back? We have a T4 for holiday travel and love it, space for 2 rows of 3 seats too

mountainsunsets · 15/09/2022 15:02

I partly learnt to drive in DH's van as we couldn't afford a car until I'd passed my test.

You honestly get used to it really quickly and I managed fine without a rear view mirror.

Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 15:03

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 15/09/2022 14:57

What about a T4/5 with windows in the back? We have a T4 for holiday travel and love it, space for 2 rows of 3 seats too

Because the deal is insane on this it's £268 pm on the lease with one month upfront 😱 the others are much more expensive. I would prefer to have one with a window but this isn't in the deal
I only drive automatic and this is the automatic it's a great deal, high line as well 🥹 there's a reversing camera but that won't help me on the motorway etc

Wonder if I should test drive one

OP posts:
MagpiePi · 15/09/2022 15:06

I've driven a variety of vans and you get used to just using side mirrors really quickly. I'd loved to have driven one with a parking camera or even the beeping sensors.

bloodywhitecat · 15/09/2022 15:09

"Wonder if I should test drive one"

You absolutely should test drive one. Driving using your mirrors is a very normal way to drive.

BitOutOfPractice · 15/09/2022 15:10

You really do get used to using the side mirrors. Go for it.

OneTC · 15/09/2022 15:13

They drive mostly like a car tbh, takes a bit of getting used to leaving starting a turn a bit later when going slowly. Will not increase your enjoyment of carparks

BeastOfBODMAS · 15/09/2022 15:15

You mention multi storey car parks - a high line van won’t fit into a multi storey, nor any open air car park that has a height restriction barrier. You will be mostly limited to on street so need to be really confident in your parallel parking. Double check this won’t limit you in terms of your usual journeys.

KrisAkabusi · 15/09/2022 15:27

You won't have any issues driving one, even in the motorway. You will find yourself more restricted in where to park. A lot of spaces will be too narrow, short or both in public carparks, and you won't have access to others that have height restrictions.

Tackbox · 15/09/2022 15:56

A T5 is my main car! Well only car since we PXd our SUV for it. I like being higher than most other drivers. Three full sized seat in the back too. No silly middle seat. Really comfortable to drive. No issues not using rear view. Ours has twin sliding doors and tailgate rather than barn doors. I'm glad we got the tailgate..handy when it's raining!

Dougieowner · 15/09/2022 16:04

Personally I have no issues whatsoever not having a rearview mirror but if it is deal-breaker for you then just have a rearview camera. Most screens fit onto / replace your existing (unusable) interior mirror.

Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:04

bloodywhitecat · 15/09/2022 15:09

"Wonder if I should test drive one"

You absolutely should test drive one. Driving using your mirrors is a very normal way to drive.

It was the middle mirror im referring to. I do use my mirrors all of the time, I'm a particularly cautious driver so I use them lots more then most people and I wondered if I would feel trapped without it. I know the side mirrors are there!

I phoned to book a test drive and guess what it has a window at the back and so I can use a mirror how good is that

I think they are lower then 1.9 so should fit in most car parks, high line is the finish not the height as far as I understand

Thank you for the tips of turning later I guess that makes sense with a bit of length on It
There have been some amazingly helpful replies

I'm looking forward to throwing bikes in the back and being able to go camping eeeeek

I'll miss the Audi A6 though!!

OP posts:
Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:07

OneTC · 15/09/2022 15:13

They drive mostly like a car tbh, takes a bit of getting used to leaving starting a turn a bit later when going slowly. Will not increase your enjoyment of carparks

I always wonder which grumpy bastard designed them to be so tight!! Give me six more inches please and no high kerbs!

It's funny I've never scratched a car and haven't damaged alloys at all for like 5 years but I just find a multi story to be an arse ache

I'm a good parallel Parker thank the lord
I wonder if it will feel like a pig

My husband loved his transporter and now has a crafter he maintains that his transporter drove like a car but I'm yet to be convinced 😂

Shouldn't have had so many children hey!

OP posts:
Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:12

Dougieowner · 15/09/2022 16:04

Personally I have no issues whatsoever not having a rearview mirror but if it is deal-breaker for you then just have a rearview camera. Most screens fit onto / replace your existing (unusable) interior mirror.

Yes I've asked for a camera because I have one now and I think it's safer reversing out of places you can see pedestrians etc a lot more

OP posts:
AdInfinitum12 · 15/09/2022 16:20

Will it be classed as commercial insurance rather than your normal insurance? As it's a commercial vehicle.
A friend had a van, had to have commercial insurance and when they eventually sold it and bought a car found that their no claims didn't transfer to/from as commercial vehicle insurance is different. Even though the van wasn't used commercially.

Wolfiefan · 15/09/2022 16:26

I did a test drive of a couple and hated not having a rear view mirror. I did have someone drive into the back of me at speed so that makes me want to keep an eye out.
I have a Ford Tourneo based on a transit. Love it.

demotedreally · 15/09/2022 16:33

We have a van. We also have a normal car. Life would be very difficult with just a van unless you never want to park anywhere unless you have planned it.

The van is ace. I am pleased I don't have to drive it every day though

OneTC · 15/09/2022 16:42

cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:07

I always wonder which grumpy bastard designed them to be so tight!! Give me six more inches please and no high kerbs!

It's funny I've never scratched a car and haven't damaged alloys at all for like 5 years but I just find a multi story to be an arse ache

I'm a good parallel Parker thank the lord
I wonder if it will feel like a pig

My husband loved his transporter and now has a crafter he maintains that his transporter drove like a car but I'm yet to be convinced 😂

Shouldn't have had so many children hey!

Show quote history

I don't actually own one but rent one whenever we go on holiday as the main luggage and equipment carrier for our (normally a few cars worth) group. I would happily have one as a main vehicle, that deal sounds very good

OldTinHat · 15/09/2022 16:45

I currently drive a teeny tiny car but never use the rear view for parking, only wing mirrors.

You'll be great, OP!

Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:45

AdInfinitum12 · 15/09/2022 16:20

Will it be classed as commercial insurance rather than your normal insurance? As it's a commercial vehicle.
A friend had a van, had to have commercial insurance and when they eventually sold it and bought a car found that their no claims didn't transfer to/from as commercial vehicle insurance is different. Even though the van wasn't used commercially.

Interesting point!

I'll look into it

We have business insurance for the other van so I think it won't be a problem to get it insured if we need van insurance

OP posts:
Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:46

OldTinHat · 15/09/2022 16:45

I currently drive a teeny tiny car but never use the rear view for parking, only wing mirrors.

You'll be great, OP!

Thank you for the support xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:46

demotedreally · 15/09/2022 16:33

We have a van. We also have a normal car. Life would be very difficult with just a van unless you never want to park anywhere unless you have planned it.

The van is ace. I am pleased I don't have to drive it every day though

Really? It's the same length and width as my car and then it's low enough for most car parks as it's under 1.9!

OP posts:
Original poster
cultkid · 15/09/2022 18:38

A shameless bunch for the evening crew

OP posts:
BeastOfBODMAS · 15/09/2022 18:52

I'm a good parallel Parker thank the lord

When I had a LWB van, men of a certain age used to stop in the street and “helpfully” wave me into spaces. I’d piss them off by ignoring them and reversing in a single graceful swoop Grin

demotedreally · 15/09/2022 22:10

cultkid · 15/09/2022 16:46

Really? It's the same length and width as my car and then it's low enough for most car parks as it's under 1.9!

Show quote history

Ours is long wheel base so bikes go in behind the second row of seats. It hangs out of an average car space and touches while liens on each side. It technically fits, but in the same way my clothes fit after the enjoyable summer I've had 😁

I wouldn't take it in the 2.1m multistoreys here. It is 1.9 but I worry about ramps and bumps. It would be preeeety bad to scrape it.