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.
Is there a reason the newer style hiace is not for sale in the uk?
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)
...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?
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.
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.
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
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'.
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.
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.
Thanks David, good to have your blessing (with the caveat accepted).
Regardless, despite your permission, I'm probably sticking with the Tribute 669.
I'm probably sticking with the Tribute 669.
😀
That's infinitely cooler than a VW; just so you know.
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....
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.
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.
Make sure you fit it with steelies though.
I have 😉
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8759/28869100920_0971d84c13_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8759/28869100920_0971d84c13_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KZ4FVj ]Enduro bus[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/19705521@N00/ ]DaveyBoyWonder[/url], on Flickr
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! 🙂
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.
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.
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
So as an addendum-I just sold my T5 Cali less than 24hrs after listing for 2k less than I paid for it - so 1k per year for 2 years of holidays and 15000 miles. I'd say that bar my 993 that's the least depreciation I have had in a vehicle, my 993 made money. Time to move on, cottages, hotels and hire from now on. Therefore I'd say they are a pretty solid investment.
