Delica

There are still some decent Kombi's around 9-10k man....

+1 for the Delica.
light duty 4x4 capable (sand tracks, beaches etc)
The LWB will carry heaps of kit and still plenty of room for camping equip and the Engel
Nuf said. Check out www.delicaclub.com

Lots of the WA guys like the Delica 'cos they get to drive on the beach and go to pretty rugged and remote sailing spots a lot of the time which is when a Delica really comes into its own.

Here in Vic we're a bit more metro around the Bay.

I've had a Hiace, Mazda E 2000, and currently a Ford Econovan. All have been long wheel base and great for fitting heaps of stuff in. The downside of the Kombi is the engine in the boot. Obviously this stops you being able to have a rear shelf that you can slide stuff under (masts, sails, booms, tubs, boards etc)

The Econovan's and E 2000's are all over the place and you can pick them up pretty cheaply. A mate of mine got a good one for $3K, and therefore he doesn't have to stress too much if it has salty water in it, gets sand blasted at the beach or gets a bit rusty.

Many of these are on LPG (50c/L), and mine certainly goes into all the multi storey car parks (although you do instinctively duck down in your seat as you first enter)

Mine has a bench seat in the front, another in the back (seats 6) and still has enough length to sleep in the rear section if you need to.

Could be what you need.

I drive a long wheeled base Chrysler Voyager. Not the most reliable car but all 5 rear seats can be pulled out in about 3 minutes and can fit a swag load of gear. May not have the image you are after but a car the was.$60000 10 years ago can now be picked up for $6000. Give it a Wicked van spray job and some curtains and you will be living the dream!

Take ikw777s advice. Do NOT get a KIA. Went through 3 cylinder heads within 80ks

Maybe LWB Fiat Scudo/Peugeot Expert/Citroen Jumpy...

Cargo space length is 254cm I think or 258cm,
Width 169cm,
Height 147cm I guess.

Most certainly cheaper than VW.

a mate and i put a starboard start into a hyundai getz the other day. closed the hatch and all.

Gestalt said...

a mate and i put a starboard start into a hyundai getz the other day. closed the hatch and all.

WTH? I have a Chevrolet Aveo which is the same size of the Hyundai and trust me, there is not way i can put in the car anything else than the two pieces mast.
How you put a 200LT board in it?

bdl2333 said...

i carry 3 boards, 3 sails, one mast and one boom in my 2002 mazda 323. can even fit the mrs in the back seat or on the roof

what about a Ford Falcon Station Wagon as an alternative to a van?

Not a bad idea about the Falcon wagon. The older model Commodore wagon looks bigger though. The shape from about 2000 to 2007.

A cheapo Japanese commercial van is probably the best value for money.

Delicas are coming down in price but are still more expensive. However they are much tricker than the Econovans of the world. I've got a SWB Delica and can fit the following with the driver and two passengers:

2 freeride boards the longest about 245cms
An old wave board about 255cms in length
a bunch of masts, currently 4
Around 10 sails
3 booms
Boxes of stuff
Assorted furniture such as folding table and chairs
Barbeque and implements

More could be fitted if the back seats were removed but the van is sometimes needed for passenger duties.

If I had my time again, I'd do it all the same
Not change a single thing

Except buy a LWB Delica.

Man I am getting overwhelmed with this feedback.

So far there is huge support for a LWB Delica, Then regular tradie van, then Station wagon, christler voyager. I think I will ignore the hyundai getz - doesnt put me in any better situation that I am already.

What about the Taragos? These seem decent? Anyone use one of these? I have seen them for around 6k for a 2002 model.

jermaldan said...

Man I am getting overwhelmed with this feedback.

So far there is huge support for a LWB Delica, Then regular tradie van, then Station wagon, christler voyager. I think I will ignore the hyundai getz - doesnt put me in any better situation that I am already.

What about the Taragos? These seem decent? Anyone use one of these? I have seen them for around 6k for a 2002 model.

Thats the problem with posting a question here..too much choice!

delicas look a bit top heavy....

anyone had any problems cornering or blown over at the beach

ha ha i'd get one if i could


stick with my kangoo combie van..

5 boards , 7 sails, 1 sup and paddle, 2 dogs.... NO Passengers though ,,, and has a melt down even if it thinks about driving on the beach

Taragos are really great cars and quite reliable. You would have to remove the middle row of seats permanently as they are not made to take out and put back in. The rear pair of seats you could keep in as they fold up on to the side wall, (but reduce your space width ways) I've owned 2 of them and was really happy with them. Had to sell as it could not tow my caravan.Wish I kept the 1998 model for windsurfing gear.

jermaldan said...

Man I am getting overwhelmed with this feedback.

So far there is huge support for a LWB Delica, Then regular tradie van, then Station wagon, christler voyager. I think I will ignore the hyundai getz - doesnt put me in any better situation that I am already.

What about the Taragos? These seem decent? Anyone use one of these? I have seen them for around 6k for a 2002 model.

+1 Kombi.

You can get good ones for 10k - it all depends on how fussy you are about the interior (which you're going to wreck with wet windsurf gear). If you want a great bay window kombi with a perfect interior, yes, you're looking at 20k. If you're looking for something solid and reliable with an OK interior, you're looking at 10k.

I've got a rare panel van, so the interior isn't an issue.

I get 240cm boards and two piece 430 masts in the back of mine with at least 20cm to spare.

In other news, if you want cheap wheels to get you around the bay to windsurf spots, I would suggest a Saab hatch - they're cheap as chips, the boots are enormous (particularly the early 90's Saab 900) and you can get a board inside dead easy (no passengers though).

They've got a shocking rep over here for some reason, but everywhere else in the world loves them, they're CHEAP and they're ridiculously solid.

In other news, would also check out a Volvo XC70 for 10k - Peter something garage on City Road in Port Melbourne has a couple of them.