2003 Iveco Daily reviews

Iveco Daily 35s12 swb high roof 2003

Starting up a business as a reach and wash window cleaner, I was looking for a 3.5t van to cope with a 1000-litre water tank in the back, however I didn't want or need a 'long' van as the water tank didn't have a very big footprint, and also, for potentially tight spaces I was looking for manoeuvrability, and didn't want anything bigger than necessary. This proved to be a problem, as all the 3.5t vans i saw for sale in my budget were huge lwb Fiat Ducato's and the like. I came upon this van in a local paper, and initially couldn't believe it was a 3.5t, as it seemed so short (it seems almost as tall as it is long, leading to it being named stumpy!), but it was, and i bought it. I have had one or two problems, most recently the fuel pump, but i put these down to having covered nearly 170k in the hands of some less than sympathetic drivers during its previous role working for a lease company. i can honestly say, i cannot think of a more suitable vehicle for my needs, it is fantastically manoeuvrable, being able to u turn in damn near its own length!, strong and sturdy, small enough to fit in a driveway, with plenty of power for my needs, the ventilation is brilliant, who needs air-con when i can get this much cool air blasted in my face when I've just finished a big house on a hot day, or the opposite, when I'm cold and wet, its like sitting in front of a giant hair dryer!. the only problem i foresee is when it comes time to change, because in the time i have had mine, i have never seen another on the road, it seems to be a very rare variant. I've seen swb standard roof vans (not practical as i need to stand up in the back), plenty of mwb, or lwb high roofs (don't want, or need the extra length, especially with the big rear overhang), but none like mine, so unless i can afford to buy new (unlikely), looks like i may have to compromise. So to sum up, if you need a 3.5t van with a small footprint, and if you can find one, buy it. You won't regret it!