Time to Say Goodbye

After 7 years of ownership it will soon be time to say goodbye to my Hijet. Not bad for a van that was bought in an emergency when my previous van was stolen. I had only expected to have it a few months at best but to my surprise it proved to be a very capable performer with its 1.3EFI engine and LPG system. It is silver so has flaking paint on its sides as all the silver ones do. The roof and tailgate have excellent paint though as I had them resprayed 3 or 4 years back. I use the Hijet in connection with my business so it has been regularly serviced and is very reliable with a good strong engine and positively no overheating issues.

The VW tracker website tells me the my new vehicle will be built next week so the Hijet will be available for sale some time in September. If anyone here is interested in buying it then please do pm me.

Oh I almost forgot, it has good headlights and new tyres as well.

Gra

You'll miss it and won't have a smile driving the VW like you do in the Hijet. Put some photos up and some more details.

Raggy wrote:You'll miss it and won't have a smile driving the VW like you do in the Hijet. Put some photos up and some more details.

Your probably right, Raggy. One things for sure, I'll certainly miss the ease of parking. I'll put some pics and more details on here over the next couple of weeks.

Gra

Hi gra

how much will you be asking for it?

avfcdale wrote:Hi gra

how much will you be asking for it?

I'm not too sure at the moment, avfcdale, as I've no idea of its value. Perhaps more knowledgeable people here could give me an idea? It's on an 03 plate, done 95,000 miles, the sliding side doors are the window type and it has a tow bar fitted. It also has the door cards from the 7 seater and the interior roof padding/insulation.
I think the biggest thing in its favour though, is the fact it doesn't overheat and will take you anywhere. With the petrol and LPG you will get close on 400 miles without having to refuel.

Gra

Sorry to see you go Gra. Posting pics of the van would help generate interest.

You'll miss it
As said, pics tell a thousand words

Hi Gra,

I'd like to be interested, but you've read my problems elsewhere. Please keep me in mind ... I won't mess you around. Yes or No by return.

Kilmarnock? The Suzuki that has donated its Romahome pod to my Land Rover came from just South of Glasgow. Transporter charged me the best part of £300 to bring it to Northants, but that include bed and brekky.

602

Hi 602

I was just thinking yesterday that maybe I could keep the Hijet as I've just sold my Triumph 2000. Well at least look at the possibility anyway.

According to the VW tracker site my new vehicle is built and is in transit, so delivery to me is around 4 weeks away.

Anyway back to the Hijet. As I've said before it has flaking paint on its side panels and other negative points are:

Fuel gauge doesn’t work and never has in my ownership.
Drivers door glass keeps coming detached from the mechanism.
Sliding rear door handles don't open the door (I always open them from inside).
The rear wiper has just stopped working.

The good points are:

It has been professionally serviced every year in my ownership
The cambelt was changed a few years back.
It's had new Hankook van tyres this year.
The silver paint on the roof and rear door is good.
It has excellent headlights that you can actually see by
The dash lighting is good so you can actually read the dials when it's dark!
Upgraded door cards and roof insulation/lining
The LPG system works faultlessly
It has a good strong engine
It has NO overheating issues
It is reliable and will take you anywhere.

I was thinking of £1000 for the little van which will came with some spares.

Gra

Hi Gra,

I'll keep you in mind IF and when.

Triumph 2000? My SWMBO was an EO in C&E when she met me, married me when I was posted to Malaya. VAT was just coming in. She reckons she would have retired as a Senior Principal.

I tell her that her life would have been boring by comparison.

She learned the hard way that Triumph 2000s do not have brakes if the engine is not turning. She dropped it over a hundred foot cliff. Luckily a tree caught her about 15ft down.

602

Hi Gra,

I've been doing some thinking, and feel that your van is probably not for me.

While I am confident that I will be able to persuade SWMBO, I don't know when. But the deal breaker would be getting it from Kilmarnock to Northants, which would take two days.

I'm 78, SWMBO is 75. Public transport is no longer an option, walking hurts, and frequent "comfort breaks" are essential. It would not be fair to ask SWMBO to drive me that far, and drive back solo. And we have a dog. My local vehicle transporter charged me £300 for a similar job, last year.

I apologise if I have disrupted your plans.

John.

Plans? I'm not sure that I have a fixed plan yet!

I'm using the Hijet every day and every time I find a tiny gap to park in that only me and Smart car drivers can get in I think maybe it's worth keeping. The new vehicle is just about 16ft so not so easy.

Gra

Hi Gra,

So I done you a favour? ;-)

Are Hijets like bikes and prams? Always a mistake to get rid of them.

602

I don't think Gra lives in Kilmarnock?

<<< I don't think Gra lives in Kilmarnock? >>>

Hi Logi,

Eh? Do what? Hang on, your right! Hertfordshire! Different ball game, but I still have to persuade SWMBO. Put's Gray's truck back on my wish list.

So who lives in Killmarnock?

See my Age Related (Senior Moments) post in the JOKE section.

602

Hmm? Who lives in Kilmarnock?..........................

Logi wrote:I don't think Gra lives in Kilmarnock?

Glad someone spotted that, I'm just a short trip down the A1 from you, John

<<< I'm just a short trip down the A1 from you, John >>>

Hi Gra,

Can you give a more precise location, without giving too much away, pretty please.

Hmm! The A1?I wonder where that is. I'm familiar with the A14, A509, A45, A6, M1 and M6. We haven't been out much since moving here in 2014, I usually get lost every time I go into Kettering. I have no problem finding my way back to South Wales.

Sign posts are put there for the benefit of people who already know the way.

602

Straight down the A1 and come off at the  at the Knebworth House junction, I'm about 15 minutes drive from there. According to google I'm 63.5 miles from Kettering or 1 hour 17 minutes travelling time.

Gra

Hi Gra,

I looked in the street atlas, found the A1. So that's where it is, "two hoots and a holler" East of Kettering, on the A14. I think I used to hitch up the A1, Croydon to RAF Wittering (near Peterborough), but that was in 1958. I once managed to hitch a ride in a Jensen lorry ... indicated 70 through London.

My atlas does not show the counties. Knebworth? I'll take another look.

602

It's the stately home, Knebworth House, junction 7 at Stevenage south.

Gra