We faced the same dilemma 12 yrs ago when buying our new MH ... we had a choice of Fiat or Ford or Merc
Talking to people [like you are here] and others we met on the wallaby came up with:-
Fiat .... [12 yrs ago] trucks were an unknown quantity, but the reliability of their cars was nothing to rave about
Ford ... pretty indestructable, like Toyotas, can be serviced almost everywhere
Merc ... nice designs but heaps more expensive
So our Transit has now done 400,000km over these 12 yrs, and while it has needed a replacement clutch at 300,000 and a fuel pump at 250,000 it is still going strong
We have a bit of dilemma because VW has much better layout and storage capacity then the Ford. So looking from this perspective we would choose the VW as we don't really have more budget ($65,000) to spend on layout adjustments.
We are not planning to go off road or in very remote areas, yet we want to drive around Australia, so NT and WA is the main concern in case of repairs. We are not restricted by time so it wouldn't be a problem if we had to wait a week or so for parts to arrive. So in this case the main concern is whether it would be more difficult (and expensive) to get parts and have vehicle repaired if we chose VW with automatic gearbox not Ford with manual.
Don't know much about the bigger VWs but we had a VW Jetta for 10 years only problem we had was a front seal on the gearbox ( 6 speed auto ) under warranty did 270,000 k fantastic car to drive 5 L per 100 k yes service is on the dearer side heaps of power would out run a v8 commodore ute to 110 k ( ask my sons about that one )
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
I have taken my transit to Birdsville and most of the nasty roads in between. So far, (touch wood) no problems. Just clocked 100,000ks. 10ltrs/100ks. Manual is not so bad except in the cities stopping and starting. I use cruise control a lot.
Transit is rear wheel drive as apposed to the Fiat with front wheel drive. It also has a higher clearance compared to other vehicles. Just don't take it to a ford car dealership, go to a ford truck dealership. In WA main cities, they can get parts from Perth overnight.
Our son has an 04 transit 5 speed manual for his work and it goes really well but at 130k the fuel pump and injectors shat themselves and $5,500 later it was fixed. Also his biggest problem is that 1st gear is way to high geared as he has trouble getting out of steep driveways, Lots of clutch slipping and smoking. He had a run of wheel bearing problems with the front, Touch wood none for a while.
It is now full of rust which he has been told is a big issue with them also. Me personally I wouldn't buy either VW or Ford.
I'm considering updating motorhome in future and considering something on an Isuzu platform, As fiat would be not on my recommended list also. Dog and lemon guide didn't recommend ford transits as they listed heaps of known problems. Maybe the later ones are better? My last book from them was 04
hi. An Auto is normally better (modern ones) But VW have had a lot of problems with theirs in cars.
With Vehicles. A ford commercial over any VW. Every day of the week.
I've known a lot of blokes with Transits for work. Can't kill them as long as you maintain them.
I wouldn't have any VW and it's problems, Mainly electronic in my Garage.
Look around at the Mercedes ones. They'd be the pick if in your price range. Or any Japanese.Thailand ones.
Well I may be a stickler for 5th wheelers but I do have to say the Iveco Daily has a sterling reputation .
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
