Hello, new to the forum

[Dragonfly]

Been having a read through and thought i'd say hello.
Looking to get a small, micro van that can be uses as a day van / camping at the odd weekend away, and just pootling around, not really going far, during the week.

I started looking at Rascals, which is still a possibilty, but the thing that i like with the Hijets, is that there seems to be a better choice when it comes to rear seats. As for the odd festival, it would be 4 of us ( me, wife and two boys 10 and 6 ), having enough seats is quite important. It doesn't matter once we get somewhere as the boys like sleeping in tents.

We've previously owner two Subaru Sambas ( with the vw look ) and loved the fact that you had enough seats, but then could get a flat bed when you wanted. However we didn't really like the auto box, engine size, and price ( when buying, and when there was an issue ).

Ideally looking to spend around £1000, or lower  . MOT is important, as is body / mechanical condition, but don't mind one that needs a bit or work in the looks / cosmetic department - that just means i can add my own look to it  

I'm in Cambridgeshire, near Peterborough, but don't mind a bit of travel if it's worth it.

Darren

[HighlyJetted]

Rascal/Carry is old in the tooth now and you'll be fighting rust hard.

Hijets are pretty availible, and the 1.3 engine is a modern smooth running powerful little beast. A serious upgrade from any 660cc or 1 litre motor.

Good luck with the hunt, I'm sure you'll find a good one if you look properly.

There is a hijet buyers guide on one of the sub forum, stickied to the top.

[Logi]

Rascal/Carry is old in the tooth now and you'll be fighting rust hard..

Unlike a Hijet then................. 

Welcome

Buy the best you can afford.

[FrontBackSide2Side]

welcome to the forum  

i toyed with the idea of a rascal too but like Highly Jetted said, it was the age that put me off.

[Dragonfly]

Thanks for the replies. I quite like older vehicles ( drive a 1989 classic mini ), but I've also had older where rust was an issue - but saying that I've had rust on newer ones too.
At the moment I am thinking hijet instead of rascal as it seems to tick a few more boxes for what I'm after.
Currently keeping an eye on here and eBay.

[HighlyJetted]

Finding replacement engines for the carry/rascal is getting tough it would seem too, as i've had a few people call me hunting for them.

After you drive a rascal, you'd think a 1.3 hijet is like a RS GT Turbo Sri mini van!!

Plus you don't have the dizzy cap n rotor arm wear, and carb continuous issues.

Instead you get headlights made of unobtainium, rusting fuel tanks but a forum full of mostly sound sort of people  

My main buying point on a Hijet, is the rear inner arches. If they are proper sound in the corners then you know its a good one.

[Darklord]

Hello Dragonfly. Welcome to the forum.
I'm a Hi-Jet newbie. I too was looking at Bedford rascals, but to me 'F' Reg vans were going for silly money. Plus as HJ said, you've got a fight with the rust on your hands.
I found a Rascal close to me for sale, so I went for a look and a test drive. I'm glad I did. If your a lanky sod like me (6ft 1') get a Hi-Jet. They have a little bit more headroom. I can sort of stand up in the back of mine. The rascal has a lower roofline. My next step with my van is to swap the side loading door/doors for ones with windows in. As I plan to use it as a micro camper for the odd event here and there, so it'd be nice to see a bit more light in the back.

[Dragonfly]

There's some cool usernames on this forum - unless you really are a Dark Lord
A micro camper is the route I'm planning on going down eventually, so a bit more height in the back would be handy. Seems to be another tick for a hijet.

[Guest]

Welcome to the Forum Dragonfly. Whereabouts in Peterborough do you live Dragonfly ?
My old Dragon comes from Whittlesey and a good mate of mine lives in Ramsey . She comes up to Whittlesey to see her mum quite often so if you do find one and need parts let me know, Woody.

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