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O k

After my previous post of sell it to me, I have just managed to convert the family that we shall trade in our caravan and get a motorhome instead. Nothing against caravaning, we as a family  have really enjoyed it. However trips down to the south of france and alike in teh uk are a traumatic experience when towing.

Although my Inlaws have a motorhome (brand new) I would like some advice on buying one. What should I look for? what should I insist on? But more so where is a good place to buy one? We live quite near to Spinneys. but they do seem really expensive there.

We are looking to spend up to approx 20k. and am not really fussed about the make as long it has the requirements, which are rear seatbelts and rear bunks.

If any one has any advice this would be welcomed along with any web links to sellers. it may be a drawn out process because we are in no rush, but to get one by February is our target.

Regards Paul

Well if I were you I'd spend the next few months having a good look at local dealers, and definately test drive a few to get a feel for them. Petrol or diesel, extra's you may need e.g. awning, bike rack etc.

Web sites are a good source of info, deallers and Loot, also lots of motorhome sites have classified sections.

Try looking up Emm Bee (Bury), Glossop caravans, Todds at Preston, Barrans, Morans near Shrewsbury. We bought ours from Cheshire American motorhomes, while they where at Harringtons site but I think they've moved back to Stockport now. All these are probably a reasonable drive on a Sunday, have a look around and a pub lunch, sounds like a nice day out to me

You will get a 'feel' for prices this way, and a good idea of different layouts ready to snap up a bargain next year.

Here are few links to get you started you'll have to sift out the one's that only do caravans (some do both)

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/directory2/arearesults.asp?region=North+West&type=17

Have fun

Jules

Great advice bigmoney2 the only advice i can offer is 1) dont go to a large outlet like Brownhills at Newark unless u are very good at sticking to a price u have in mind because u would soon push that price up and 2) make sure what you buy has a handbook so u know where things are and how they work (also get advice on leisure batteries and try to haggle all the frrebies u can!)!!!!!!!!!!!! Leisure batteries are cheaper on the internet - look around on accessories and get a rough price how much you would have to spend to get all the accessories u will need!

Good luck and happy roaming

hi,

if i was looking to spend a few quid on a motorhome, i would wait until its winter time, not many people will be getting a new/exchange, over christmas, so you will get a good deal if you look around.

floppy

dont forget MMM - gives great idea of prices, loads of private ads.  you are in a first time buyer category if you know what you want, and can haggle down - as if private seller cant get what money they want, they will have to go to a dealer to change vehicles.  if they are end user, then they have to sell eventually.  Many will have used MMM to set a price for their vehicle, or checked out what dealer will pay before selling privately.

apparently winter is not as slow as it appears.....winter depression sends people out just to 'look' when they are pining for the good weather and to get out and about in spring.  People are changing vans all year - some after their holiday season, some before they go to Spain, some after they come back, all sorts of reasons.

The wack of extra you will pay from a dealer, will cover most guarantee work, however, you still have to get back to the premises you have bought from in the main, and like any guarantee, it is easier spoken about, than accessed when you get problems.  If you buy privately, you will save a couple of thousand, and that will buy a lot of repairs.  Still important to have say RAC check on vehicle itself, and habitation check if not confident yourself, as will not check for damp, etc.

A genuine seller wont mind you asking questions and having checks.

British car auctions at Measham ( m42 j 11) have a leisure vehicle and caravan sale on the third Friday in the month, there is usually a good selection there from new to old and everything in between. I have seen £30000 vans sell for £22000, a big saving on dealer prices and many of the newer vans have manufacturers warantee still in place.  

Hi Paul

We have just ventured into buying out first MH, a friend had just bought one she had seen on Ebay, she contacted the owner, went to see it and as the bidding had only gone up to 16k and the owner wanted 19k they did a deal at 181/2k

We saw one we liked also on Ebay, and the price was 241/2k, I contacted the owner and asked if we could try before we bid, (although not too keen on bidding on that sort of money) I dabble with bit and pieces in Ebay

Well to cut a long story short, we saw and liked, HPI`d it, and asked that  if we made an offer on would he take if off the auction site (no bids) which he did while we were there, we did come away and went back 2 days later, in that couple of days, we searched hard to find the same model  else where, and did but older, more miles and dearer. so we got a bargain in November

This is an 8 month old van with 3660 miles on the clock, harly used, and a saving of over 10k on the new price, with 28 months warranty

We had asked around a few smaller dealers, but they had little to offer, and they all said they had been very busy with new vans, and people were not bringing in part exchanges (probably selling privately)

Happy hunting

Angie