CUBE AND PANEL VANS FOR MAXIMUM VALUE
CUBE VANS are delivery vans or post vans. VRT does not apply because they are big enough to be considered to be real commercials. Best seller here is the Citroen Berlingo. For best ride comfort buy the Berlingo, its Peugeot cousin the Partner, the Renault Kangoo or the Opel Combi. Cube vans have much more cargo space than car vans. If you are in cattle practice some of the vans have sliding side doors, giving three way access to the load. A lift up rear tailgate is a great boon, it is like a big umbrella on a rainy day, when you are stripping for that calving.
The cube vans can make great compact ambulances, the normal split rear
doors more convenient in the city.

Typical Costs: VRT E50,VAT 21%, MPG 32-47,Depreciation E2,200-3,100.

Summary:
Pros: Great value, space, possibility of side doors as an option.

Cons: Utilitarian appearance, models with leaf spring suspension are bumpy on poor roads,4X4 versions not available in Ireland.

Verdict. Despite their practicality ,they are outsold in the practitioner market by the Car-vans and jeep-vans.

Price.
Citroen Berlingo (600) E 12,500
Citroen Berlingo (800) E13,140
Fiat Doblo Cargo 1.9d E12,453
Fiat Doblo Cargo 1.9 JTD E14,112
Ford Transit Connect 220 1.8 TDdi E17,820
Opel Combo 1.7 DTL 600 kg E12,589
Peugeot Partner 1.9D 600 kg E12,495
Peugeot Partner 1.9D slider E12,895
Renault Kangoo 55 1.9D E12,300
Renault Kangoo 55 1.9D slider E12,600
Seat Inca 1.9 Sdi E12,000
VW Caddy 1.9 TDI E13,005

Panel vans are bigger than cube vans. Typical examples are the VW Transporter and Mercedes Vito. If you want to carry around a small shop this is the van for you.One can also carry two passengers in these vans.
However many vets will find that they are a bit wide for the boreens and passages encountered.

Prices.
Citroen Dispatch 1.9D E16,400
Citroen Dispatch 2.0HDi E19,000
Fiat Scudo 1.9 EL E 16,285
Fiat Scudo 2.0JTD E18,301
Ford Transit from E19,422
Mercedes Vito 108 Cdi E20,702
Mercedes Vito 110 Cdi E 22,022
Mercedes Vito 112 CDI E23,219
Opel Vivaro 1.9 Di E19,500
Opel Vivaro 1.9 DTI E20,400
Renault Trafic 1.9 dCi E19,650
Toyota Hi-ace 2.0 D-4D E20,780
VW Transporter from E21,605

Typical Costs: VRT E50, VAT 21%, Fuel Costs and depreciation higher than the cube vans.

Summary:
Pros: Great cargo space, most are nice to drive, some can carry 2 passengers, commanding driving position.

Cons: Very wide for narrow country roads, cold in winter time without a partition, only a few have option of rear tailgate, or four wheel drive.


Verdict. If you need to carry 2 passengers and a shop around, the panel van is your only man. Otherwise the cube-van is more user friendly.