...between the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in the NEC Birmingham in February and the Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester in January? Our interest is motorhomes as we continue our research into what would be good for us. Would one of these shows be more suited to us?
If you want to buy new,then it doesn't matter which.
If you want to buy used, And I recommend that route for a number of reasons. Visit as many dealers as you can . You will find the one you are looking for Ask as many questions as you like, poke about,check things like storage space. Forget the bells and whistles. It's the practicalities that matter.....when was the last time anyone cooked a chicken in their van???
I can't offer any comments the Manchester show as we've never been to that show but we went to the NEC Show last year and were very disappointed at the small amount of Motorhomes in the Halls.
It took an age to park up, the parking was at least a ten minute walk to the Halls, there were no 'bargains' in the few accessory stalls, food was vastly overpriced and we left after about an hour after seeing the meagre Motorhome displays.
Shows later in the year at places like Peterborough, Lincoln and Newark (all of which we visited last year) are far superior in the amount of MH and accessories on offer and would be a much better option to the NEC in my opinion.
Buying new is great but you're going to get second hand bargains at Shows later on in the year, which we did, and save yourself thousands.
As said above, visit as many dealers as possible and find the layout that suits you before spending money on a glitzy new one which loses thousands as soon as it leaves the Showroom.
Best of luck – it took us four years before we found a layout and Motorhome that fitted our needs.
I have also not been to the Manchester Show as its too far away from where we live. I would imagine that the NEC show is larger. I think shows are fine if you have already narrowed down your choice as you can use the ability to flit between models to your advantage. We did this when we were deciding which motorhome to buy. We didn't buy at the show but did soon after from our nearest dealer.
I've been to both and I think the Manchester one is better for motorhomes. We also went to the Harrogate show in March and that is more second hand vans.
Thanks for your comments - I expect that when (and hopefully not 'if') we buy it will be local but OH does love the research and what's not to like about a weekend away
I have found over the years that both are very poor, if you want to see the same van 10 times on as many stands then fine. Visit one of the Warners shows, I only did one last year at Peterborough, but there are about 7 in total, ending in the one at the Lincoln show ground.