Yeah they are REALLY REALLY expensive!

I think ill be getting a Toyota Hiace, they look like the cheapest option to run and buy.

I dont do much highway driving so its not really an issue if they are not that quick.

Are Hiaces reliable? Should i get a LWB or SWB?

Cheers

Not sure about everyday driving, but the thing I like most about my van (Mercedes Sprinter) are that I can take my gear with me everywhere, so I dont ever have to "pack the car".

Other nice things are:
- sleeps two people, without taking gear out.
- I can stick lots of stuff in it (i have had 5 boards in it + a few more sails than shown)
- mileage is ok at about 10k/l
- short enough to park in a normal parking bay (although I cant go in undercover parking).

Here is a how I layout the gear (sleep on top...):

Flachy,
I'd definitely go Long Wheel Base (lwb). Can't see any reason why you wouldn't. You can have a seat in the back and you still have heaps of room behind it to load gear and sleep if necessary.
The back seat adds a lot of options. - transport more people, can use it as a separate area if you're camping out, keep your wind surf tub in there, etc.

On the Hi ace thing. - my mate has a 94 Hiace lwb. Uses it for surfing, Wsfg. He reckons it's great. -solid as. You know mines an Econovan lwb. I'm wrapped with mine, but I would've prefered a hiace if the right one had come up when I was looking. (bit more solid and better resail value)

My first van was an '82 Hiace.
Got it in '89, finally died in '98 (R.I.P "Gus the Bus" - Rusted out)

Fowles Motor auctions are a good place to get a good deal, but you need to do ypur homework first.