Vans!

[Mechan1k]

Should name it after the first track he showed he played in it

Jessie ?????

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Should name it after the first track he showed he played in it

Jessie ?????

I was thinking of Kylie.

[Citroënbender]

If it gets called something like “Terry Trafic” I won’t be impressed!

[anobserver]

Tracy.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Should name it after the first track he showed he played in it

Jessie ?????

I don't normally name cars, but you are the winner. JW it is!

[Franco Cozzo]

I vote for 'Clifton'

After the brick factory in Northcote in the 1890s

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I vote for 'Clifton'

After the brick factory in Northcote in the 1890s

Oooohhh, harsh!

[kevino]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Oooohhh, harsh!

Jerky


For its transmission qualities

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by kevino

Jerky


For its transmission qualities

The Teenager? As in, more jerking than a teenage boy.

[Mechan1k]

Run it in a bit more ... then decide on a name
Some good ones in here

[XP6]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

You really need a small truck

Yes that would be nice, I have to keep my tools secure and materials dry.
That would be possible with a large custom tool box behind the cab but still not be able to keep materials dry without using tarps all the time.
I think the cost would out weigh the transit?

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Ok, so I did about 20 km in the new Renault Traffic today running errands.

Before we go any further, the choice was the fabulous Jessie Ware and her song Imagine It Was Us. A base heavy track that would put any sound system to test!

image

The audio system is decent, but the cardinal sin, there is NO volume knob or buttons, only the audio controls hidden on a separate stalk behind the steering wheel. And the volume control buttons disappear from the screen after 5 seconds. Silly, silly arrangement. Amazing, Ford mastered remote audio controls with the AU Falcon in 1998!

However, the very first thing I noted was the heavy steering. Think older hydraulic style power steering in a BA or FG Falcon. It's nice on the move and makes the vehicle feel solid on the road, but its surprisingly hefty at parking speeds. Not a deal breaker, rather something that surprised me considered how most electric power steering systems can dial in more assistance at lower speeds to aid parking. The leather steering wheel is brilliant though, puts the material on my Mustang to shame!

And.........the DCT has that usual hesitation from rest. I haven't driven a DCT in quite some time, in fact it was the wet-clutch Powershift in our MC Mondeo. It certainly takes some acclimatization, you have to be patient with it from rest and resist the temptation to mash the throttle in panic. While I'm probably the only one who will use it, high five to Renault for choosing the correct orientation for the manual function!

image

Again, something that surprised me as most brands, including our VW Crafter, go the opposite and counter intuitive forward for up, back for down. As such, I found this so natural to use, and yes, the DCT does fire off nice quick shifts. But then so does the 8-speed torque converter auto in the Crafter.

The other thing I love about the Traffic is the dual sliding doors, one on each side. This makes it more convenient to work out of running deliveries and loading up stock. I did have to dive into the menu system to disable some of the locking nannies, the default locking of the cargo doors while the engine is running a bit over the top, I guess that would make sense in dodgy area's. Thankfully that is selectable in the menu system.

Engine noise is extremely well suppressed, only showing its presence in first gear above 2500 rpm. It's so hushed that it tends to highlight the tyre/road noise a bit. I also found the ride to be quite stilted and not as settled as the Crafter, the extra wheelbase and width of the Crafter makes it more settled, laden or unladen. Considering the vehicle only has 90 km on the clock, and I suspect the tyres are at the shipping pressures, I expect that to settle a little as it breaks in.

Very early days, but I think having this smaller van in the fleet will be extremely useful for us. It's also more approachable for the female staff. The Crafter will still do the bulk of the work, we need its size to fit large, advanced trees. But for shorter runs with less to deliver, the Traffic should serve us well.

Reading your last paragraph, I suddenly realised during the ownership of a Mazda E2000, 2 VW Transporters, a Renault Trafic, a Ford Transit Custom & MB Vito my wife has only driven one of the VW’s once, somewhere in 2010, following me to a dealership for a service…that’s 25 years and 5 vans and one drive of a van ever….

[Swordie]

Vans are great candidates for cool paint jobs and stripes. The A Team van looked good.

In the 70s Vans were at there peak. There were car magazines dedicated them. There were big promotions by a radio station (3XY) in Melbourne and Coke using them.

VW have a factory camper van. That would be really good to touring in. There are also aftermarket versions too going up to the Crafter.

[Tonz]

do a search on VW Caddy vans, what they do with them in pommei land is insane

[Franco Cozzo]

Keep us up to date as you progress in the new traffic light grand prix work vehicle,

Would be good to see commentary as you use it in your day to day, types of loads you carry etc.

[Mechan1k]

I actually hired a Van to pickup a fairly hefty lounge yesterday
I was provided a Hyundai Staria ... was expecting a Hiace.

For what it was .... was surprised with what it was like to use/drive/thrash.
As the last van I drove was a Mazda E2200 many year ago

They are definitely not what they used to be like ... that's for sure.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by Tonz

do a search on VW Caddy vans, what they do with them in pommei land is insane

Audi RS3 conversions are not uncommon with them.

[Tonz]

if only our regulations weren't so tight asssedd

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I actually hired a Van to pickup a fairly hefty lounge yesterday
I was provided a Hyundai Staria ... was expecting a Hiace.

For what it was .... was surprised with what it was like to use/drive/thrash.
As the last van I drove was a Mazda E2200 many year ago

They are definitely not what they used to be like ... that's for sure.

The first van I ever drove was a then brand new MB 140D..............



What a vile machine, new or old. Turning the AC off was like a turbo button, the gearbox was horribly short geared and begun to crunch into second and was replaced at 60,000 kms, the replacement was no better. I thrashed that thing all over the countryside, you basically had to wear headphones to hear music on longer deliveries. And because the rear tailgate rubber seal leaked, I got fumed out on every trip. OH&S? What's that?

I was glad to see the end of the thing. Despite the new owner being told the clutch needed replacement, they still complained about their $1500 purchase.

[Mechan1k]

They were awful

What I last drove was one of these ... in non-turbo diesel ... manual



Interesting in the wet trying to get up steep tight streets

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

They were awful

What I last drove was one of these ... in non-turbo diesel ... manual

image

Interesting in the wet trying to get up steep tight streets

The MB 140D also lacked a turbo, 5 pot though.

I know a couple of guys who had a string of those Mazda/Ford vans, they loved them. I think they had low standards.

[Mechan1k]

Yesterday ... was much nicer with this cabin at least



pretty comfy and drove pretty good.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Yesterday ... was much nicer with this cabin at least

image

pretty comfy and drove pretty good.

There is only one problem with that image, something that makes any delivery that much better.....................

[Mechan1k]

yeah the monochrome screen was utilitarian ... apparently had wireless carplay/android auto.

I didn't bother with it.
I didn't bother with audio quality testing either.

The higher Spec Staria ppl mover has an even better screen setup.

[XP6]

Haha my super dooper Mitsabitshiti express has two screens, a nice Kenwood double DIN(in a custom consol to face the driver) and a WolfBox G900 mirror front/rear cam... that was a necessity because someone walled off the rear for a set of Pioneer splits and a Kicker square sub

Aircon works great walling off the rear!

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by XP6

Haha my super dooper Mitsabitshiti express has two screens, a nice Kenwood double DIN(in a custom consol to face the driver) and a WolfBox G900 mirror front/rear cam... that was a necessity because someone walled off the rear for a set of Pioneer splits and a Kicker square sub

Aircon works great walling off the rear!

WolfBox G900 mirror front/rear cam fantastic units, huge width ways mirror, getting another put in my new ute this week.

[XP6]

Yes definitely great visual quality, annoying sometimes though restarting itself for no reason... always as I'm reversing of course!
I think in a normal install up covering the standard RV mirror it may be to wide for most cars the sun visors would hit. Mine is installed on a phone mount(with a DIY adapter)sits just above center dash board slightly overlapping the dash binnacle

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by XP6

Haha my super dooper Mitsabitshiti express has two screens, a nice Kenwood double DIN(in a custom consol to face the driver) and a WolfBox G900 mirror front/rear cam... that was a necessity because someone walled off the rear for a set of Pioneer splits and a Kicker square sub

Aircon works great walling off the rear!

Everyone who uses a Mitsubishi Express for work loves those things, one of my colleagues reckons its the best van he's ever had even though it was lethal

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Everyone who uses a Mitsubishi Express for work loves those things, one of my colleagues reckons its the best van he's ever had even though it was lethal

When i had one as a work van, well you dont miss it untill its gone really. They have a great turning circle and are small enough to fit in most underground car parks. Being a tin can, space in the back is maximised. Mine was decked out. 3 roof racks with a pipe, safety cage, shelves down the drivers side and my roll outs for my screw cases behind. For work purposes it was heaps bigger in the back and easier to organise then the ranger that i got after. Yes the ranger was much nicer as a car, but it was a tub with a canopy that did not have pop out windows so seemingly half the day was spent crawling in and out of the back to get stuff. The triton i got after that had a sweet caddy sevice body on it. So 3 full height doors, shelves on the passengers side and the rest was open. Heaps easy to work out of and stay orginised, but at only 870 tall of interior height, it was less overall space for stuff then old deathy.
One of our subbies rear ended a garbage truck in his old express doing 50 at 4am one morning. He attributes the reason he survived with only minor bruises to the fact he was asleep, therefore his body was relaxed. He replaced that van with another express as he loved them so much.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Everyone who uses a Mitsubishi Express for work loves those things, one of my colleagues reckons its the best van he's ever had even though it was lethal

Our Futura Wagon after a Mitsi Express ran into us while we were stationary and the driver probably hit still doing 30-40km/hr and didn't attempt to brake...when I first saw the damage I really thought wow, Ford Tough. Didn't take a photo of the Express as I had a crying daughter to comfort and the smell of petrol around the place but I know it didn't go to a panel shop afterwards.... sadly insurance wrote off our Futura as well because I was pushed into the car in front. Only consolation was it lead to our G6ET purchase.
Futura wagon.JPG