Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
 Topic: Motorhome Cost
|
Page: 1 2 3
  |
08/3/2011 at 4:06pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/6/2008 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 12115
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0  |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1  |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi mick-gail.
Thanks for the info, hadn't realised the 2.5lt engines were a 5 pot, bound to be more refined than a 4 pot imho. so will bear that in mind.
As for the fabric getting caught on the roof mechanism, that's probably quite easy to do, I noticed on the conversion that I looked at, the fabric had obviousley been trapped a few times, although not ripped, it had gone so thin and worn that daylight was shining through on both sides were, the mechanism joints/pivots are located.
Andy.
NB. I did start a VW California post a week or so ago, but due to it going of topic, the post was terminated, sorry to the OP here, for going a little of topic.
|
08/3/2011 at 10:36pm
Location: Birmingham
Outfit: VW California+Swift 490GXL+Khyam XXL
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/7/2003 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 144
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi Andy
The fabric of the roof is always a problem on this type of van, especially during closing as the volume of air in the roof has to be displaced some where, normally we leave the door open, this time it was the up wind side and it negated the effect causing the roof to bellow out and get caught.
The engine issue is to me a big one I have test driven a new 180 2.0l caravell as we thought about updating, the facts, figures and sales talk was not enough to convince me, and Gail did not like the new horizontal interior. Our van though only 18 months old has become like an old friend to us, we have become attached. I think this is because our previous motor homes were just for holidays whereas the california gets used all the time, the fact that if you keep it on the standard wheels it will pass under a 2m height barrier (many conversions don't due to the deeper profile roof) means it gets used as every day transport. It makes a great day van, shopping truck and in bad weather the amazing heater keeps it more than comfortable. We even packed 100 disposable cups during the winter hoping to get stuck in traffic so we could sell tea and coffee out of the window, feel smug and recoup some of the cost?
A friend points out how many night he could get in a 5* hotel for what we paid but I tell him looking at today market values in 40 years if it is regarded as a classic like splits and bays are now I might even make a profit.
Any questions you may have please ask, we may have only owned it for 18 months but we have had 70 odd nights out, and we took nearly 3 years of looking and research befor we brought.
Mick
|
09/3/2011 at 12:27pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/6/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 12115
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi Mick.
Thanks for that, I think your friend is missing the point, especialy as the California, or any campervan for that matter, can be used as your regular day to day vehicle, unlike say a MotorHome.
I have stayed in plenty of 5* hotels through work, and to be honest I can't stand the places.
I get folk who say I am mad to go camping in France, when it would probably be cheaper to go on a package holiday to Turkey or Spain etc, and stay in an all inclusive hotel,
fact is it's nothing to do with the cost, it's all about life style choice.
Andy.
|
11/3/2011 at 3:16pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/6/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 12115
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi Tentz.
Explains why my Bro's 1.4 Turbo Petrol VW Golf has just had the engine die!, the car is barley 18 months old on a 09 Plate, with 20K on the clock, he bought it brand new back in April 09.
Strangley VW did not quibble, and a new engine was sent over from Germany to be fitted, all under warranty of course, but my Bro is concerned about the resale value of the car. although on the upside, it will be a three year old car with a 1 year old Engine when he comes to sell, so someone is going to get a bargain.
The way I see it, these new modern Engines are getting smaller, and more powerfull, great when new, but makes them risk to buy seconhand when they get to three years old or more.
As for the California, I think the older 2.5lt maybe a better buy, in terms of long time reliability, but who can tell, it's all somthing of a lottery.
Andy.
|
12/3/2011 at 10:09pm
Location: Birmingham
Outfit: VW California+Swift 490GXL+Khyam XXL
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/7/2003 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 144
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Andy, Was in exactly the same position as yourself, needed wheelchair access vehicle. As it became apparent that a small car derived van would do no more than allow us to transport in wheelchair, we thought go a little bigger and have "the kitchen sink" too, thus giving a true multi function van. We looked long and hard, all the converters, coach builders and even bespoke. In the end it really came down to the warranty, being factory built it is a one stop shop for all servicing ect. Having had a string of VW's over the years including a golf that had clocked up 240,000 miles and was still going strong when I sold it I knew reliability would not be an issue. Although I tried to buy the van from a VW dealer in the first place, they kindly put me right and I brought it through JAG, a disabled vehicle specialist who fitted ramps, chair tie downs ect. When buying in this way it becomes VAT free, a 20% discount then made the California a good buy. The best thing we have done for years.
Mick
|
13/3/2011 at 9:28am
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/6/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 12115
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Thanks Mick.
Will look into JAG, I hadn't realy planned to be getting a California any time soon, just doing my home work, like I always do, but due to the worsening condition of the Father-In-Law, this may now change, other family members involved, so I have to tread carefully, and not go rushing in with my idea's, which may come accross as me being self centered.
Although at the end of the day, I am the only close family member, with a full driving licence.
Andy.
|
|
|
5736 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Event Diary]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
