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Thanks Kabbes, I will shop around, the value of it is pretty much the same as what we paid for the swift when we first had it,

Quote: Originally posted by JenniferB on 17/6/2009

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I had no problems insuring my Geist with the Caravan Club. It was a bit more expensive but it is a very good policy. Bought my caravan from Elite. So far so good - they were good to deal with - the only complaints I have are that they did not supply a spare wheel as standard. IMO, the vans are fabulous - you won't regret buying a Geist.

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Thanks JenniferB,

We said we wouldn't buy a brittish van again so have been really interested in the german ones, I wasn't expecting to replace the swift so soon as we love it however the layout won't work very soon as we are currently qualifying to be foster carers we need different sleeping arrangements as we caravan all year round.

Only downside is the van we are looking at has a smaller bathroom than ours and not got a seperate shower like we have at the moment but we will adjust I am sure

Our Geist is insured with the caravan club too, perhaps you could get a quote before you buy just so you know what the insurance will cost?

Which model are you looking at?

J

Hi, Its the Aktiv 560? Bunks at back, then seperate dinette the a u shaped lounge,

If you don't mind me asking roughly how much is your insurance? We are with C & CC club at the moment and always found them competitive.

Can't get hold of OH, Either she is still driving there or she has bought it and avoiding me!

I think our insurance is about £370 - but it does depend on the cover and options you take too, this year we increased the volutary exceess and saved a bit.

We have the 565, which is very similar but has the rear washroom with a separate shower. We bought ours from Camprer UK at Lincoln, they have given us excellant service and after sales.

We love ours.

J

Thats good to know, I like the 565 too, We really loved the 595 but I am not sure about having a twin axle, extra costs for servicing, tyres, more expensive mover etc, ,

Hi Gaz, any particular reason why you are swapping to a German van?  I ask because I see you have a Charisma and we have been offered a 620 Charisma at a good price.

Ali

Hi Ali,

Don't get me wrong I love the charisma, We are changing layout as we currently have a twin dinette with a bunk over at one end, however I am in the process of qualifying to be a foster carer and we need more seperate living arrangements. I am also more and more reading posts on here about leaky and damp vans and its sort of scared us out of buying another brittish one, Although OH as done her best this morning they wouldn't give us enough part exchange on ours so she walked away but left her details, You never know they may call us back.

Aw that's a shame!  I have to agree the damp stories do fill me with dread.  I am stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea - our 12 year old Elddis so far appears to be clean and dry and is all bought and paid for.  If we change we will have higher running costs/insurance and an expensive van that could cause us problems and a large headache.  Decisions decisions.

Sorry to hear you had no joy, lets hope they call you soon....

Ali

Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 17/6/2009

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Aw that's a shame!  I have to agree the damp stories do fill me with dread.  I am stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea - our 12 year old Elddis so far appears to be clean and dry and is all bought and paid for.  If we change we will have higher running costs/insurance and an expensive van that could cause us problems and a large headache.  Decisions decisions.

Sorry to hear you had no joy, lets hope they call you soon....

Ali

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Well OH is still there at the moment (sat in the car) , she is quite upset as she fell in love with it straight away,

We had to have toilet door replaced on our Charisma as it was fitted wrong and was leaking, we also had to replace the gas regulator, and we also had problems witht the hot water heater.

All that aside she is a lovely van and we have done many miles in the 2 years we have owned her and has given us some lovely times away

It is a hard decision to change, like you say you know your caravan and its foibles, and the fact yours its still dry after 12 years is great. Who knows our Swift may still be dry in many years but you just never now, Saying that we would be the people likely to buy a German one that was built on a friday afternoon!

I reckon we will end up buying it still, May give some companies a ring and see what they will offer us for it, Can't be doing with the hassle of ebay and selling private,

 

Hmmm I am trying to find out who the warranty dealer would be where the van is sited and it looks like Alan Kerrs of Paignton are no longer listed so there aren't any dealers in Devon at all!  It would mean grovelling to somebody to take it up to another dealership if we had any problems.

That's why I have favoured Baileys because Outdoor Experience, just down the road, are dealers, and they will come and get the van and bring it back for servicing and repairs/warranty stuff.  Sigh, big decision to be made here methinks.

Let us know how your hunt for the German vans goes.....

Ali