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I am still looking for my ideal crappy with my budget of £1200.

Off today to view a monza 300/2 1991 and a Bucaneer (not sure of year yet). Monza asking £1200 and £1400 bucaneer, the Bucaneer has an awning with it.

Anything in paticular to look out for on these 2 vans other than the usual?

The Monza is most appealing so far because it is basic with little to go wrong a lighter.

Things to look out for or check:
* damp
* delamination of floor (particularly in kitchen area and entrance)
* strange smells
* window seals
* damaged trim
* do blinds/flyscreens all work?
* how much support do the cushions give?
* bed slats
* tyres and rear lights
* interior lights
* fridge
* heater
* cooker
* water system
* brakes
 Things to ask:
* does the van have any service history?
* when was the van last serviced?
* how long have they owned it for?
* why are they selling?

A genuine buyer will have no problem with you having a good poke around and demonstrate the water/heating/lights etc.... or allow you to put the beds up etc....

If possible, take an experienced caravanner with you.

Ask what (if any) extras are included - awning, water and waste containers, battery, gas bottle, hook up lead etc....

Before parting with any money, check that your tow car is capable of pulling the caravan! Ideally the caravan should weigh no more than 85% of your vehicle's kerbweight.

I bought a cheap, elderly van for £495 and am very pleased with it - I spent the winter doing her up and have just completed my first full season with her.

My very first caravan was a 1982 Monza owned from new, and the only one I ever owned over the years that had a solid ply floor without any insulation or sandwich type of construction of any kind

Good lightweight caravans but without the level of insulation found on more expensive models at the time. Although mine had the plastic windows, they were only single glazed, and still prone to condensation running down the insides on chilly early and late season trips out. If its also got the original seating pads, these would probably need an upgrade of some kind to make them comfortable as the originals were only about 4ins thick and needed an airbed under them at the time we owned ours to make the bed comfortable for sleeping without 'grounding' at the hip. The originals also had no shower, cassette loo or hot water system and the cold water was fed by a whale foot pump and single tap to the kitchen sink. We kept her for three years before selling her onto a dealer as part of a divorce settlement, nothing to do with caravan ownership I may add lol! 

Julia

the prices are steep but if I can find a really good condition caravan I would be ok paying this, but I do expect a van at this price in a private add to be in good condition, otherwise they are only worth a few hundred.

The Monza i have viewed is no good, defo no worth £1200. I think the guy is a pert time dealer doing up old vans. All of the wall and ceiling coverings brand new. Although he claims they are original. What is he covering up. The rear window was broken with a big gap, although he said he would try and fix it- doesn't really add up to the excel condition advertised. So will not be buying.

The Bucanner was very nice, with a good awning and a motor mover. Owner assured no damp and seemed genuine. I couldn't find any damp but still think a bit expensive at £1400, think if I decide to buy I would be looking to make an offer below this.

Thanks for your comments guys once again. My hunt continues and you will be the first to know when I get my hands on a bargain

Monzas are nice little vans and there are several with a similar design. Some years ago I bought an Avondale Perle Orestes 2 berth which is almost identical in design to the Monza 2 berth but had slightly better upholstery. I paid about £300 and sold it a couple of years later for the same...but it was in excellent condition.

As previously stated, please don't be tempted to buy anything with soft panelling. By the time damp has surfaced or softened the panelling it has done untold damage inside the walling.

Take your time and don't get frustrated and buy something you later regret...there are a lot of caravans with serious problems out there and the owners won't tell you because they just want to get rid.

Keep an eye on what caravans are actually selling for rather than what they are advertised at, and this will give you a good idea what they are worth.

Good luck...yours is out there somewhere