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It's a large, weighty vehicle, and fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions reflect this. The 3.2 V6 returns 21.9mpg and 310g/km, the 174bhp diesel 31.7mpg and 240g/km, the 130bhp diesel 31mpg and 246g/km and the 104bhp model 36.7mpg and 208g/km. None will work out cheap as company cars, and real-life consumption of the less powerful engines with a full load on board is likely to be even greater. On the plus side, if you treat it well a Caravelle can go up to 18,000 miles or two years without servicing (intervals are variable, depending upon usage and driving style, as indicated by the on-board computer). That's with special fully-synthetic LongLife oil; traditional oil can be used instead, giving service intervals of one year or 10,000 miles. On the plus side, VW vans and 'buses hold their values well. Earlier Caravelles are still fetching top money at specialist dealers', and only the very oldest and most hard-worked make budget family/lifestyle transport. You have to pay handsomely for the best examples, so don't expect any bargains. Remember also that the older models are classed as vans, and thus subject to VAT and higher road tax. This generation of Caravelle, with its refined diesel engines, won't be available on the used market for a long time yet, and when it is, it will still be expensive. With prices starting well below £25,000 for a decently-equipped vehicle of this size, the Caravelle works out cheaper than, say, a Grand Voyager or Grand Espace, and is roomier and more versatile than the 807/C8/Ulysse family or Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra. It might not suit everyone, and not many private consumers will want to live with its commercial vehicle image, but it's a well-priced proposition.
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