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 Topic: 1st time buyer - grateful for advice
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27/9/2016 at 10:31pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
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You will certainly find a suitable van, but be under no misapprehension that there is no such thing as the perfect caravan. They all have at least one compromise, and some have a few, and accepting this can save you hours looking for perfection!
As others have said its very important to spend enough time in a van, such that you spot what the compromise is, so that you can decide if you can put up with it. Consider day/night set up; front locker capacity/access; payload; bed locker interior/exterior access and so on. You must look beyond the showroom appeal.
I'm slightly worried that as a newbie you are spending some long term savings on a new van - have you considered a decent second hand van to see if your family will take to caravanning? There are substantial savings over new on vans just 3-4 years old, which still have some warranty left too. They are still modern and sometimes older vans are actually better equipped than their latest cousins, as manufacturers seek to cut costs and remove kit.
The age of your children suggests you are in a younger age group too, in which case do check your driving licence, as your current vehicle and stated preference for a large van, may mean upgrading your licence. It all depends on when you passed your test...
Post last edited on 27/09/2016 22:42:42
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29/9/2016 at 10:21pm
Location: Stretton Staffordshire
Outfit: Lunar Lexon EWL
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Spend your money however you want, you have earned it.
Spend your next weekends going round caravan sales courts as it can be hard to know what you want as others have said, sit in them, take your time, imagine using the washroom, you may want to with small ones(shower I mean), the only problem you may find is that you fall for a particular layout then very quickly find its not quite what you wanted, and want to change your van, that is why it is sometimes better to go for a secondhand van then maybe buy new next time.
Whatever you buy, you can't beat caravanning, we love it.
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Anne-Marie
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30/9/2016 at 9:55am
Location: Lanarkshire
Outfit: Unicorn Cartagena & Discovery Sport
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Quote: Originally posted by fatherof2boys on 27/9/2016
Yes I'm planning to go to the Glasgow show, which isn't until Feb 17 :(, as we live in Scotland.
I've visited the Scottish Show a few times and it doesn't seem to be anywhere nearly as good as the Birmingham show in October that earlier posters were referring to. Less exhibitiors, less makes & models.
Still worth a look around though.
Just remember though that if you purchase from a dealership who is based some distance away from where you live then have any problems that need sorted you can incur a bit of travelling expense and inconvenience getting back and forward to them.
Personally I would endorse the advice already given by others - get to as many local dealerships as you can, look at as many different layouts as possible, take your time, sit in the different vans, think how will this work at meal times, at bed times etc.
A lot of local dealerships have their own "mini shows" and may offer the same type of deal as you would get at the "big" show. Remember, you are in a strong bargaining position, no trade in, so don't be shy about haggling over price plus extra kit to get you started thrown into the deal.
What part of Scotland are you in, perhaps some of us could give you a heads up on local dealerships?
Good luck
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