Sorry, couldn't resist that. Simply because I'm fifty in a few weeks and felt like treating myself.

Yes.

I wonder how farmers using them for short (and slow) local journeys such as to and from market once a week will manage with them?

Thanks chaps. I've been looking at the deletion option, but that obviously won't be a possibility if it's illegal, and certainly not while it's under the first three year's warranty. Of course it will need its first MoT just after the three years is up, too. I wonder if the warranty covers DPF...

Hi Folks, I've got a new Defender 110 Hard Top van on order for delivery in March. For the last 7 years, I've only driven about 6000 miles a year in my current van (a really basic Berlingo 1.9, no Turbo, DPF, DMF, etc), and I often only drive about half a mile or less to my jobs. I'm now...

Thanks again. Yes, I'm very happy with it.

Well despite my best intentions, I'm afraid I gave in last Saturday and ordered my new 110 van. I got a jolly good deal from my local family owned dealer (£1990 off the total, with trailered delivery to my door after I've checked it over at their site and, the clincher, a free die cast model of...

Er, what you've just described is paying extra for a radio, as I originally said. But you're quite right, the base vehicle includes 'radio preparation' and you can fit your own. Still a bit stingy of them on a vehicle costing nearly £25,000 though. It's good to know other similar tradesmen to...

You also have to pay extra for a radio! I quite fancy the central locking as I've worn out several sets of door locks in my Berlingo, but of course it's something else to go wrong, so I'm reluctant to pay extra for it. As it turned out, I didn't place my order today and it won't be for a...

I like the idea of a better model, and I'm going to try to be patient, but what would be a step up when you're essentially buying a van to use for work? A Station Wagon is no use to me.

Thanks, I'll try, but it's not easy.

Well I haven't ordered one today and I'm now awaiting a couple of other quotes, so once more, thanks for the advice folks and I'll keep you posted.

Frightening, isn't it!

Thanks again, that's much appreciated. I'll have to give this some serious thought (but knowing me, I'll be on here tomorrow having bought one!)

Sounds daft, but what if he's already met his targets when I go in?

I probably don't spend enough time in it on longer journeys to justify the extra cost of that to be honest, although on a hot day after spending a lot of time working in a roof, I can certainly see the appeal.

Er, okay, thank you. Does it have to be just before Christmas or literally the end of the year?

Hmm, that's an interesting thought, thank you. I'll have to consider that carefully, but he's already doing me a pretty good deal and I'm not a great one for haggling.

Hi Folks, Lucky blighter, all being well I'm going to order a new 110 hard top 'van' tomorrow. I've decided to go for the cold climate pack (ie heated seats and windscreen), side and rear steps, front mudflaps, an aftermarket gramaphone (I only listen to Radio 3 & 4) and the bigger cubby box...

Thanks very much. That's a great help and I've a feeling my salesman is now going to have a slightly bigger turkey this Christmas as a result!