• This topic has 200 replies, 77 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by NZCol.
Viewing 40 posts - 161 through 200 (of 201 total)
  • Just back from hiring a VW California. I think we missed the point… :(
  • dragon
    Free Member

    Maybe I just need to reset my expectations. A Golf GTI is £30k, a decent 3 series tourer is £40k and so on.

    You aren’t comparing like with like, a Golf GTI isn’t a family car. You need to go back to the drawing board and work out what you want from a family vehicle and a budget.

    br
    Free Member

    I’d expect most motorhomes to be a bit like horseboxes in their depreciation, if it cost £20k to convert a van into a camper then pretty much the cheapest you can buy one for is £20k.

    We had a 3.5t horsebox for a few years, it lost less than £1k pa. We originally looked at buying a van and having it converted, worked out at £10k+vat for the conversion, consequently you really can’t buy a decent 3.5t for less than £12k.

    tbh If I was looking at a camper, I’d want one with separate beds (and one that was always made up), so whether it was with the wife and we could just stop. Or if with biking mates I’d have my own ‘room’.

    Also want a garage too, for the bikes.

    Although not sure of your age, are you licensed for bigger than a 3.5t?

    iamtheresurrection
    Full Member

    You aren’t comparing like with like, a Golf GTI isn’t a family car. You need to go back to the drawing board and work out what you want from a family vehicle and a budget.

    I realise that, I wasn’t suggesting I’m buying a California or a GTI, I was just trying to illustrate relative value. My 1-series was £35k and although it’s got a nice engine it’s a pretty budget car from a build perspective: compared to that you get a lot more in a California and maybe £60k isn’t that bad compared to it…

    @br. I’m 41, so have C1 entitlement. Hard to argue with nearly every point you’ve made in the thread, but after a couple of days to think about the pro/cons, I just don’t think I want a bigger van and I need to decide on what compromise I prefer.

    I’m definitely still leaning towards a new California/Beach/T6 conversion with an awning and an emergency toilet inside the awning to save the kid’s 3am poo dash across a campsite in the rain.

    My local dealer has the Tribute 669 in stock, so off to see that this weekend, as pointed out much earlier in the thread.

    http://www.tributemotorhomes.co.uk/motorhomes/tribute-669

    No question it’ll still be cramped if we’re forced to stay inside the van because of weather, but it’s a lot of van for the money if we can make it work.

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    wwaswas
    Full Member

    It’s your choice but I’d look for something with a rear lounge rather than a fixed bed.

    With a small van and 4 people (the kids will grow) you need versatile space and you lose a lot of floor area/sitting space with a fixed bed that could be used for another purpose during the day.

    epicsteve
    Free Member

    I’m definitely still leaning towards a new California/Beach/T6 conversion with an awning and an emergency toilet inside the awning to save the kid’s 3am poo dash across a campsite in the rain.

    With young kids it’s also a very significant advantage to have a useable toilet inside the van. Great for when they decide they need the toilet when you’re driving.

    epicsteve
    Free Member

    It’s your choice but I’d look for something with a rear lounge rather than a fixed bed.

    I wouldn’t. I’d look for one with rear bunks – much more useful than a rear lounge when you’ve got young kids.

    br
    Free Member

    The Tribute 7 series look good, with the high-level bed.

    Our horsebox was Ducato based, good to drive.

    Neb
    Full Member

    The thing is, you could buy a newish van and convert it into something very similar to the California for much less, and pick you seat coverings, your kitchen unit, the hinges/catches, the colours, etc. I completely agree that a California isn’t good value for money (especially in the uk) there are so many reputable convertors that you really can get what you want for significantly less than a California.

    Go to one of the van festivals to see the options, you’ll be surprised how much you get compared to a standard Vw spec California.

    For example http://www.uberbus.co.uk

    dragon
    Free Member

    My 1-series was £35k

    You paid that for a 1 series 😯 Then no wonder you think £60k on a VW camper van is good value.

    DavidB
    Free Member

    Can I just say “Hi, I have a 2016 T6 Ocean”. <ducks>

    We have had older camper vans, a coach built motorhome and aftermarket conversions over the years. We love our T6, it is perfect in every way for 2 of us and in particular we love the small design features of a van built as a camper rather than converted. Such as the top opening fridge that lasts days on 12v and (in our view) the well thought out storage.

    I paid under £50k for my DSG model with a lot of extras, good haggling is what is needed. I 100% agree with the comments on stock furnishing which we were disappointed with as we’ve marked the rear seats too easily. The swivel seats also need a “technique” to be mastered. Apart from that I’m well happy with my investment which is worth the same after 4k miles as new.

    Neb
    Full Member

    As a kid, we used to go skiing in Scotland in a T25 transporter, five of us camping in a braemar carpark in february. No room for wet ski boots indoors so they had to stay under the van where they froze solid. I still remember the dread of putting those boots back on again the next morning.

    One year the camping gas froze inside the van, reckon it was about -18 inside.

    Both my parents were teachers so we’d spend the entire summer holidays touring Europe, all half term holidays in Scotland and Christmas down south visiting relatives. I still feel I had a privileged childhood, despite my parents being poor.

    Campervans are ace!

    molgrips
    Free Member

    Neb, we did same in a caravan, but with more space. And a heater. Caravans are ace too 🙂

    km79
    Free Member

    Lolz @ Neb and his poor teacher parents and summer long trips abroad! 😆

    Good joke.

    Neb
    Full Member

    When I reread it, I see where you’re coming from! My mum never went back to work (odd supply jobs now and then) after I was born and my dad had to retire for medical reasons in his mid 40s, so was on disability. So I guess money poor but time rich would be a better description. The camper van was a scratty old thing that kept breaking down, parents and 3 kids crammed in it for 6-8 weeks at a time. Really good times and happy memories.

    IainAhh
    Full Member

    I like the idea of the freedom of a campervan which can carry your sports gear and just pull over and kip up for whatever you are doing the next day, for short breaks. More of a mobile sports storage / somewhere to kip. Just take a tent as well if you are needing more space.

    I also see the attraction of a larger family motorhome but what I don’t get is the parking up in what looks like a car park.

    This is a lovely spot, Witches Craig, below the Ochils on the outskirts of Stirling but it is quite pricy and it looks like you are staying in a car park.

    mikewsmith
    Free Member

    http://www.britz.com.au/campervans-australia/Pages/default.aspx
    for other inspiration have a look at the van set ups in here

    iamtheresurrection
    Full Member

    Cheers Mike, I’ll have a look.

    We went to see a Tribute 669 last week and I reckon it’s about perfect for what we want. It doesn’t have much living space, but only weather will have us inside the van. That said, the rear lower double does fold away to convert to two sofas (albeit with limited head room) and you could also use that space as secure storage for a bike if you were walking into town…

    Beds are otherwise permanently made up, limited headroom up top but the boys are young, half decent fuel economy and I can spec an auto (which I think I want). Definitely not as cool as a VW, but £40k brand new and has everything I want – the only negative is the upholstery is gopping and there is no alternative. I’d just get a little Smart car or similar for duties through the week.

    If the offsite storage works, and we get proper use of it, then we’ll progress to a bigger van as the boys get bigger with an integrated garage/dirty store.

    There’s a place in Aberdeen when we can hire a 669: it’s a bit of a hike but we’ll do that a couple of times over the autumn and spend some time in the Highlands.

    mikewsmith
    Free Member

    Definitely not as cool as a VW,

    Thing is the cool was a van from the 60’s… the new ones are just vans – probably one of the reasons everything small here is done in a High Ace. The bigger ones seem to be in Crafters here so the Transporter price probably isn’t the issue. I keep walking past one of the crafters up for sale each day…

    iamtheresurrection
    Full Member

    I accept that, I suppose I’m saying as far as motorhomes go, the Cali is the least beige…

    I think they would do well with a factory Crafter, was just saying this last night actually (I’m certainly not the first to say this, I’m sure)…

    alpin
    Free Member

    there is a company here in Bavaria, Pössl, who seem to be quite popular when it comes to Ducato sized vans.

    if i were ever to have kids the T5 would be a touch too small for long trips away, especially if the weather were inclement. i’d look at a Sprinter/Crafter/Ducato.

    scotsman
    Free Member

    We are on our second California, the one we have at the moment is a T5.1 180 DSG 4motion. The wife’s sister also had one, same model with a few more extras over ours, she paid £51,500 and she just sold it last week for £49,500 after 2 years and 20000 miles of trouble free camping, there is no way a similar professional conversion will have as little depreciation as that.
    We looked at lots of different conversion companies before buying the California (hired two as well) and IMO the quality of materials used in conversions is just not up there with the Californias composite materials and storage solutions. the rock n roll beds that come in conversions are also crap compared to the VW version, and a manual roof, the hydraulic roof in the California is not to everyones liking but that’s what it comes with and is one of it’s main features and as its hydraulic you can put a rack on the roof and carry 50kg and also raise and lower it with the 50 KG on it. Try doing that with your £3000 badly fitted pop top.
    Take a look at the Danbury website and look at what you get for £47000 based on a 140 tdi, Formica clad MDF units, off the shelf components that you can purchase from any good conversion parts shop.

    IainAhh
    Full Member

    Is there a reason the newer style hiace is not for sale in the uk?

    Moses
    Full Member

    Have a look at the Motorhome & Caravan show at the NEC in October. If you’re going to spend a shedload, at least look at the options! There are loads of converters there, so you’ll get an idea of what’s possible for what money. Going up a size and losing th VW badge will make make life much easier for you. (Ducato conversion owner speaking. On a run we get 30-32mpg from the 3L engine, but I drive lke a grandpa)

    thegeneralist
    Free Member

    …IMO the quality of materials used in conversions is just not up there with the Californias composite materials and storage solutions. the rock n roll beds that come in conversions are also crap compared to the VW version, and a manual roof, the hydraulic roof in the California is not to everyones liking but that’s what it comes with and is one of it’s main features and as its hydraulic you can put a rack on the roof and carry 50kg and also raise and lower it with the 50 KG on it. Try doing that with your £3000 badly fitted pop top.
    Take a look at the Danbury website and look at what you get for £47000 based on a 140 tdi, Formica clad MDF units, off the shelf components that you can purchase from any good conversion parts shop

    Largely true, especially the bit about the fittings being less quality. But on the other hand…

    The Calif is just too small to be much use. The extra 35 cm or whatever it is on the LWB makes a huge difference.
    You can’t carry 5 bikes and 4 people in a Calif. You can in a decent custom.
    The bed in the Calif is just too small. Too short and too narrow (unless you’re tiny). Get a decent custom with a semi full width bed and extra long. Lovely.

    No decent cooker on the Calif.
    Shower?

    maccruiskeen
    Full Member

    Is there a reason the newer style hiace is not for sale in the uk?

    Probably because the VW and Merc offerings are already here and not selling in great numbers. What sustains the resale prices of T5s and Vitos is they don’t really sell many new ones. There just a tiny bit too small for the goods that van buyers (commercially, not lifestyle/leisure users) carry. And although its only a tiny bit an inch is as good as a mile if you can’t get the door shut.

    davidtaylforth
    Free Member

    Definitely not as cool as a VW,

    VW; the least cool van, or possibly even vehicle, you can buy. Especially when fitted with alloys. Just look at a typical owner for proof.

    thegeneralist
    Free Member

    VW; the least cool van, or possibly even vehicle, you can buy. Especially when fitted with alloys.

    Sadly, there is a lot of truth in this. It seems to have replaced the Ford Escort as the boy racers choice of heap

    iamtheresurrection
    Full Member

    VW; the least cool van, or possibly even vehicle, you can buy. Especially when fitted with alloys. Just look at a typical owner for proof.

    Cool is very subjective. I said cooler than a motorhome, not the coolest thing on the road.

    That said, it’s good to know you would consider a Dacia more ‘cool’.

    davidtaylforth
    Free Member

    Cool is very subjective.

    Not really; it’s quite obvious.

    I mean “vehicles” aren’t very cool. Although there are some cars that are cool. Vans are DEFINITELY not cool. And then paying £60K (over twice the average salary) for a van with a certain badge on the front in the belief that it is cool is probably the uncoolest thing you can do.

    davidtaylforth
    Free Member

    Besides that; buy one because it’s what you want, not because it’s cool. They sound like a good investment. Make sure you fit it with steelies though.

    iamtheresurrection
    Full Member

    Thanks David, good to have your blessing (with the caveat accepted).

    Regardless, despite your permission, I’m probably sticking with the Tribute 669.

    davidtaylforth
    Free Member

    I’m probably sticking with the Tribute 669.

    😀

    That’s infinitely cooler than a VW; just so you know.

    alpin
    Free Member

    A lot of hate on this thread….

    Why is every caught up on the 60k price tag?

    Living in a van is always going to be a compromise regardless of length, fittings or price. Not that that compromise has to cost 60, or even 20k….

    mikewsmith
    Free Member

    A lot of hate on this thread….

    In the middle of it is also a lot of people pointing out what the OP noticed that it’s a small van for a family. That is you can live with a bigger van it opens up a lot of possibilities.

    molgrips
    Free Member

    Well for me the price tag is ridiculous because you could get a fantastic new car and a fantastic new caravan for £60k and have way more space, a luxury vehicle for the rest of the year, and so on.

    But some people like parking in laybys apparently. Which is as legal in a caravan as it is in a car, afaik.

    DaveyBoyWonder
    Free Member

    Make sure you fit it with steelies though.

    I have 😉

    [url=https://flic.kr/p/KZ4FVj]Enduro bus[/url] by DaveyBoyWonder, on Flickr

    ade9933
    Free Member

    I understand the benefit of a T5 (other small vans available) for quick trips down the road with the bikes. Being able to store the bikes inside on camping / road trips would be great but sleeping in the van with a family doesn’t really compute so the difference over a car combined with having to drive a van as a main car is making them look less and less appealing.

    I’ve been on the fence for ages but recently started looking at proper motorhomes. With a few kids, a fondness for foreign MTB road trips, skiing and enjoying travelling round to different locations a proper motorhome seems to be the way to go for me.

    Reckon I’ll be taking a trial hire trip in the near future.

    Anyone have any experience of older motorhomes? I’ve seen some knocking about for 15 – 20K… with 50 – 70K miles which on a decent diesel van is obviously not a lot but do you get a lot more from newer vans for your money?

    Also OP & others… little 3 year olds GROW. Quickly! 🙂

    Moses
    Full Member

    Well, my Ducato is now 6 years old, with 45k miles. It’s had some problems but it’s sound. I don’t recommend leaving a roof window up in a Gale. The hinges aren’t strong. I also suggest a demand operated water pump, not a pressurized system. Jubilee clips can come off hoses. That’s a pain, too.

    sparksmcguff
    Full Member

    Totally get that t5 aren’t ideal. But as a proud owner of a t5 4 wheel drive who abandons my family for a few nights away its ideal. Useless as a family van without an awning though. But suits me on my own perfectly (also v good for wild camping as compact). Works well as a family holiday transporter, try not to drive it too often otherwise so perhaps it is a bit under utilised. I don’t own any other cars/vehicles.

    scuttler
    Full Member

    My California Beach has steel wheels – Delighted to hear it’s cool! Nearly fell out with it last weekend though. Need a his-and-hers or two boys weekend to rekindle the love (space issues).

    I don’t like getting waved out by those chaps in blinged-up Transporters though. They’re everywhere! Frightful.

    #KeepitCali

Viewing 40 posts - 161 through 200 (of 201 total)

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