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Dear all,

We have never bought a caravan but our budget should be 2K, but is it safer to wait and get a caravan for 5K ? We would want an awning with it.

We have a Outwell tent in the meantime, but wish to extend our holiday season and add a bit of luxury to our 2weeks in the summer.

We started out spending that much on an older van when we started about 11 yrs ago - best decision we ever made as it helped us find out if we liked caravanning and what layout would suit us. We were lucky as we, by accident, found a very old but inside very good condition van on a dealers forecourt. It had just come in and hadn't even been cleaned and were weren’t looking to buy! Then a couple of years later traded it in for what we really wanted.

Good luck with what ever you decide. It wouldn’t hurt to have a look at what is available for your budget.

We are having the same caravan delema but I see katieays point. We have young children too.

Dee x x x x

Hi Bill the Bus

Just a question when does everyone think the that people will start sell there caravans?

Dee x x x x x

Hi Bill the Bus

we are looking at buying nov/dec (paying of a few bills to free up some cash) I think that may be too late/too early ]

Dee x x x x

hiya,

  we're on our 2nd van having bought our first one back in july '08 when we supposed to be at ASDA doing the shopping !!!!!!, whilest it was a lovely van with plenty of room we decided we wanted a new one and one with a fixed bed so back to the dealers we went , we told him we wanted to p/x our van for a new one . we had a good look round and picked our van , as it was an Avondale we got £4000 off the price cause the only warrenty given was the dealers . I know people say you get what you pay for but we can always take out our own warrenty and water ingress insurance when the dealers warrenty runs out and trust me when I say its getting plenty of use, we try to get away every 2 weeks as we are both retired even if its only for 3 days its better than staying at home. I hope the economy does pick up but I cant see people selling there vans for that reason, we had 3 foreign holidays a year (1 long haul & 2 in europe) before we got our van and we wont be going back to that cause were having to much fun now, can someone invent an awning that puts itself up please please please it makes me cream crackerd doing that job. still having fun . Bill

We've just bought a Swift Challenger 450/5 SE (1991) for £2k off Ebay with everything we need inc awning off its second owner who has had it for years - they were nearly in tears when we towed it away! Its just been fully serviced and damp tested, everything is in working order, but we took some time to research and find the right one. So far we're delighted, and with a 3 and 1 year old and a dog it doesn't matter if we make the odd mark or damage something. This is our first van after tenting for 5 years or so and we're just seeing how we get on before spending any more. An older van doesn't bother us - its so much better than a tent!

I don't think age itself is a problem with vans, just check out the condition and in particular the dreaded damp (with a meter) - nothing in good nick with some kit seems to go for under £2k at present. Mind you, that's about the cost of a holiday cottage for 2 weeks in summer school hols and you have it for good.

I'd start cheap (but be careful) and upgrade later if you like it. Good luck

Great replies thanks, and most of you said start lower and then aim higher if and when you can.

OH is worried about an older van, but like you all said you wait and get something that suits. My other thought is that I cant seem to justify paying 5k for something that will be in storage for a greater part of the year.

Ta for the thoughts. 

Quote: Originally posted by shamrock23 on 15/5/2009

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Great replies thanks, and most of you said start lower and then aim higher if and when you can.

OH is worried about an older van, but like you all said you wait and get something that suits. My other thought is that I cant seem to justify paying 5k for something that will be in storage for a greater part of the year.

Ta for the thoughts. 

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Quote: Originally posted by shamrock23 on 15/5/2009

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Great replies thanks, and most of you said start lower and then aim higher if and when you can.

OH is worried about an older van, but like you all said you wait and get something that suits. My other thought is that I cant seem to justify paying 5k for something that will be in storage for a greater part of the year.

Ta for the thoughts. 

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