Looking for a Van (people mover and campervan)

[Papu]

Hi,

I was looking for a campervan - but then realized that with kids it actually makes sense to get a people-mover (7-8 seater) that can be fitted with mattress if necessary.

I'm looking for a 7-8 seater van. I'd prefer diesel, as they are more economical and can handle more kms. However I don't know much about cars .....

Any recommendations? Any brands that have crappy/good diesels?

And what's the best site to search - trademe, turners and...?

Cheers

[JandM]

Several of my family in NZ have had various kinds of Toyota Hiace.

[dilanium]

I must note, that if you are tall you may not fit will in a Toyota Hiace. I was picked up from the airport when I first arrived in a Toyota Hiace, and I couldn't fit in the front passenger seat because my knees were up against the dashboard.

[Canuck_1979]

It depends what your budget is, but it seems that a lot of travellers sell their vans on gumtree.co.nz before leaving the country. Those would be on the cheaper end of the scale.

[slim8589]

I have just the thing, will pm you later today.

[pcsourcepoint]

Perhaps the Toyota Super Custom Hiace 3 L diesel (1994 with 1KZTE "long drop" engine), which I owned/serviced once. Nice interior - electric curtains, rear heaters, carpet, three sunroofs. Some have a cooler. I have seen them on Trademe, I brought mine from a dealer importer and saved around 25 % at the time.

Specs and images at car-directory net, and I have brought/ordered online after market maintenance parts cheap in NZ from STA Parts. Good solid runner, but if do own maintenance, as what I did, can be troublesome getting access to the engine front - without removing driver seat and cover plate/handbrake... and if you don't mind the typical diesel engine noise.

[Flutterby]

i would have thought that basically any passenger van/minibus type vehicle would pretty much fit your requirements and your eventual choice will be further defined by aspects such as budget, maintenance abilities, and how often/how many people you wish to sleep in it plus all the usual car issue decisions.