Photo: TOP-5 machines for construction (vw-commercial.com.ua) Author: Konstantin Shirokun
Major repairs or private construction often require such a scale of transport problems that it makes sense to purchase a separate car for this purpose. Automobile experts have prepared their list of recommended models.
Read about five models for servicing the construction of a summer house or major home renovations in the RBC-Ukraine article.
The format of construction work, which involves the participation of the owner himself, necessarily requires powerful transport support. It is a pity to use the family car for this, because the transportation of building materials leaves damage on the body and in the interior that can no longer be repaired. On the other hand, regularly using hired transport for small transportations will hurt the family budget. Therefore, experienced homeowners sometimes buy an additional car – to serve their construction needs, and possibly get rid of it later.
Renault Kangoo
The option is both maximally universal and maximally cheap, especially if we are talking about the first generation of “Kengoo”. Although, in principle, it may not be exactly Renault Kengoo, but one or another more expensive French or German classmate. On the one hand, cars of this class are distinguished by a roomy utilitarian body, on the other – widespread availability of spare parts and insignificant maintenance costs. The segment allows you to choose any engine, including one running on liquefied or compressed gas or an electric car. A significant drawback can be seen only in the difficulties with choosing a copy in decent condition. The fact is that such cars, due to the availability of maintenance, sometimes remain for a long time in the hands of cash-strapped owners who squeeze the resource out of them to the last drop.
Skoda Octavia
Despite the venerable age of the model, the first generation Skoda Octavia is still highly rated among economical citizens. On the one hand, this model is reliable and durable, and on the other hand, although it is a passenger car, it is practical in terms of transportation, since it has a large trunk (volume of 528/1330 liters) and a generally roomy body. The Combi version will be especially convenient – that is, with a station wagon body (trunk up to 1512 liters), the maximum permissible load of which is more than half a ton – 540 kg. “Octavia” can be selected with different types and volumes of engines and even with a 4×4 transmission. In 2004, the first generation Octavia received the Tour prefix to its name – this means that these cars were produced in Ukraine – in parallel with the Octavia A5 of the new, already second generation. In the case of a car “for construction”, an additional plus of the Octavia is that this model is generally slowly losing value. So if, after the work is completed, it is decided to sell the car, the owner-developer will not lose much of the money invested in it.
Opel Zafira Tourer
A compact van, which is primarily a passenger car, and it is better to serve the construction business part-time – after all, the Zafira Tourer has a well-equipped interior, which would be a pity to scratch and dirty. Nevertheless, numerous seat transformations promise additional opportunities for cargo transportation. Including the seats of the second and third rows fold completely, forming a cargo compartment with a flat floor at the back. On the move, the car pleases the driver with soft control, engines are both diesel and gasoline: atmospheric, inflatable and even with factory LPG. The transmission is mechanical in most cases, but with one diesel and one gasoline engine, an automatic was also available.
Renault Trafic II
A full-fledged minivan will open up new horizons for the developer in terms of transportation of construction materials. This is one of the most affordable models on the market, it is also known as the Opel Vivaro and Nissan Primastar. Note that there are versions of this model (including factory ones) in the form of a “passenger” (9 seats), a cargo and a cargo-passenger van. In addition, this model can be chosen between two sizes of wheelbase and body height. The engine lineup includes three diesel engines and one gasoline unit. The transmission is front-wheel drive, the gearbox is mechanical or automatic, but as for us, for a construction vehicle this does not matter much.
VW Transporter
Probably the most expensive option, but with the greatest capabilities. The 4th, 5th and 6th generation Transporter are technically identical, and in some ways the same, so we are talking about them all together. These are rationally designed, reliable and durable vehicles. On the other hand, they will be among the most expensive in terms of maintenance. “Transporters” traditionally have a wide range of petrol and diesel engines for every taste. An important difference of these vehicles is also their high maintainability. The vehicle has three versions: the Transporter itself (a cargo and cargo-passenger van), CaraveІІe (a passenger van) and Multivan (with a luxurious passenger compartment), but it is clear that for transporting building materials it is better to take something simpler. “Transporters” can be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with mechanics or automatic, with a short and long base, with a low, medium and high roof.
Short
Even if your budget allows you to choose something almost luxurious like a Caravelle or a top-of-the-line Zafira, try to resist this temptation. Calculate in advance how often your construction vehicle will make cargo runs. If this is not often, then perhaps one of the cheapest options will be enough for you. Although, on the other hand, it is worth planning in advance the future of this utility vehicle – perhaps you will want to keep it after entering the renovated/built house? In this case, it makes sense to choose something with wider functionality and a larger resource reserve.
In preparing this article, materials from Autobild and Autocentre were used.
Let us recall that RBC-Ukraine recently reported on the TOP-5 cars with unusual design.