VW transporter is the way to go, I don't know about the i load, but definatelym Vito has less equipment than VW. Good sizes of cargo space on both though... 2584mm length is more or less great, but if you decide for lwb its 2940mm...

I got a vito 111 (get the bigger engine not a 109) lwb auto. Goes a treat..What I spent on petrol a week for a 4wd lasts me 3 weeks with the Merc on Diesel.
A 11'2"sup fits up the middle between the front seats. They are amazingly easy to park, and cruise forever at 100, 110kph..Mine was ex demo, had 20,000 km on the clock.
For the same money I could have got a brand new 2009 model vw manual 2 litre petrol....
but a diesel vw and an auto was beyond what I was willing to spend.

things against..its white but you get used to that.
no passengers air bag
the radio was crap so had a more upmarket unit installed.
keep forgetting where the bonnet catch is.

what can I say ..i luv it...could do with some alloys

but I would have got a vw if it had what the Merc had diesel auto etc and the price had been the same..but thats more about nostalga I think

I bought a long wheel base VW transporter T5 earlier this year. I wanted a van I could fit at least 6 boards and sails with a bed and bench seat to get changed on.
There has been some slight changes since the photos below.

I have imported a Nissan Elgrand from Japan. I pick it up in 10 days, but what you get for your money is Awesome.

It cost me $20K (on the road) and the list of features is incredible. I got quoted $600 for insurance from Just cars.

Reverse camera, smart key, keyless start, 2 sliding doors (one automatic), part leather, list goes on and on.....

K Dog said...


"....every body is talking about the new pimp in town........ the new pimp in town...."

Plenty for room in there for all my ho's and Bro's.

You'll be pimpin' the passenger seat with me dude:P

If you do fold the seats down, I'd be interested to know the length from the tailgate to the back of the front seats.

Mobydisc said...

I first saw Elgrands in Hong Kong. The celebs, movie stars, hanger oners and wannabees get around in them. They are truely impressive looking vehicles. For $20K they probably are a lot cheaper than a comparable second hand Euro van and the parts are most likely just as easy or hard to get.

Are you going to take the seats out of yours or can they be folded out of the way?

It all depends how easily the middle row are removed. They swivel around so you can get them out of the way easily enough. The back ones fold away. to the sides.

Also you can get a completely flat bed if you fold all 4 seats back.

I have inquired about parts and maintenance and the engine is out of a maxima 3.5 lt V6 quad cam. The chassis and drive train are from a nissan navara. There is a growing community here of them in Melbourne and there are more and more popping up every day. Mine took 5 weeks from the moment I said yes to buying one. There are heaps more in NSW and Parramatta road dealers have plenty from what I hear.

jermaldan said...

Mobydisc said...

I first saw Elgrands in Hong Kong. The celebs, movie stars, hanger oners and wannabees get around in them. They are truely impressive looking vehicles. For $20K they probably are a lot cheaper than a comparable second hand Euro van and the parts are most likely just as easy or hard to get.

Are you going to take the seats out of yours or can they be folded out of the way?

It all depends how easily the middle row are removed. They swivel around so you can get them out of the way easily enough. The back ones fold away. to the sides.

Also you can get a completely flat bed if you fold all 4 seats back.

I have inquired about parts and maintenance and the engine is out of a maxima 3.5 lt V6 quad cam. The chassis and drive train are from a nissan navara. There is a growing community here of them in Melbourne and there are more and more popping up every day. Mine took 5 weeks from the moment I said yes to buying one. There are heaps more in NSW and Parramatta road dealers have plenty from what I hear.

Yeah its similar with the Delica scene. They are built up from parts that are available here but there will be parts that are model specific. I saw Elgrands when shopping for a Delica but they were quite expensive, close to $40K. I eventually picked up my Delica for a bit under $10K. Its not as fancy as the Elgrand but its quite nice and its good offroad.

Fair chance as time goes on we will see more Elgrands on the road as they make the likes of the Tarago look very very plain.