Newbie needing advice Symphony Duetto Symbol?

Hi everyone
I'm hoping to purchase my first ever camper winter 2017. Looking for advice on which to go for. Had my heart set on an approx 1998-2000 year Duetto or Symphony mainly due to budget. Been advised recently to steer clear of Duetto as fords rot and also to not purchase a pre 2003 Peugeot boxer as the gearbox was improved in 2003 and the older ones you can't get gear box replacements. No idea if this is true? 
If I need a post 2003 model it jumps up the price which means it may take me another year to save. 
Any advice is much appreciated. There are so many types out there

As you say pros and cons for both models,,,Fords are more prone to rot but are mechanically bullet proof but there are rot free ones out there. The higher spec Transits were undersealed when new,,Parts may be a bit rare for older Peugeots but you can always find them in the end,,I have a 2002 which has the same gearbox as my old Peugeot 406 and i did well over 100000 miles in that with no bother,,BUSBY65.

Thanks busby65 a dealer told me to steer clear of 2003 models as the gearboxes are now obselete and if it went I'd have to scrap the whole vehicle (he had a 2004 model for sale...! but out of my budget)

If you can find a rot free duetto that's the better of the two. I've had both and the extra length in the duetto is very useful.

louisecat123 wrote:Thanks busby65 a dealer told me to steer clear of 2003 models as the gearboxes are now obselete and if it went I'd have to scrap the whole vehicle (he had a 2004 model for sale...! but out of my budget)

Bet if he had been trying to sell you a 2003 model he would not have mentioned it. The 2004 he was selling was probably built in 2003 because Autosleeper buy the base vehicle sometimes a year in advance..My 1996 Autosleeper on a Transit was a 1994 model,,BUSBY65.

My '95 Boxer's gearbox is the original one, its a bit notchy and the clutch is not as light as later models. There are threads on the forum about Boxer gearbox repair / replacement. As BUSBY65 implied, dealers do not always give the honest truth.
Boxers are front wheel drive, Transits are rear wheel drive. This gives you more standing room in a Boxer because the floor is lower, they are also a little bit wider.

You need to look at both and see which is best for you, the camp is very divided but both vans have their pluses and minuses.

Frank

A Duetto of that age is highly likely to have had rust issues, as mine has. It is important to check MOT history online, so you can see any history of MOT advisories or fails, then check if suitable repairs have been made. This is important for whatever vehicle you intend to buy.
A well repaired Duetto will hold its value. A rust bucket will sell cheaply, maybe allowing enough to have good repairs done, but that's hassle.
Good luck with your search

Jollywalker

If I was in the market to change if I couldn`t get a VW I would only go for a Ford, wouldn`t entertain a Peugeot. just my personal opinion.