We brought a brand new 2008 Bailey Discovery Mercury Series 5 it classed as a 2 berth but it has a fixed bed at one end, and bunks at the front and it sailed through the service each year, and it checked also for damp, it the best van we have brought ideal for our Citroen Grand Picasso hdi (2010), we have a lot of praise for our caravan with it being lightweight at 910kg unladed. laded 1130kg and on what car .(Outfit Towing) it has 4 stars .
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We have a Bailey Ancona on order (in fact, it was being built this very week) and we absolutely fell for the design. This is our first van and it was enough to convince us to put the Wolf Lake 7 on eBay and give up the canvas! Thankfully, we have a car that can pull one safely and I have a habit of jumping in with both feet, so decided to go new!
I take on board that some families don't like the fact that there is not a private area for the kids but, tbh, I actually really like that fact that the kids won't be able to hide away - we camp/caravan so that we can spend more time together as a family.
I'll have to wait and see about the build quality but the 5 month old demo was looking pretty good for the abuse it will have received so I'm optimistic. Incidentally, we paid quite a few hundred pounds less than Lady Bailey are advertising it for. Approach a local dealer with a target price and they can be pretty accommodating!
Can't wait - and we actually made money on the Wolf Lake!!
------------- I thought that I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. However, it turned out to be a bloke with a torch bringing more work!
I agree with a lot of what hs been said on here-particuarlylegs down kettle on. I wouldnt buy one that is mass produced and definatelu not tested peoperly before being launched. i.e. cracking panels with the new bodoes and unbelievably a recall for wheels dropping off!!! Wot?!! iNothing serious then! This happened to a friend of mines on and older model which is under investigation by Bailey.
Yes as someone has said "you get what you pay for" I would rather have an older caraavan if necessary that is at least tried and tested and well built not to mention the extra hidden costs at servicing fo tighteneing etc!
We have the Ancona, and absolutely love it! On our third Bailey now, so speaks volumes!!
We use the lowest bunk area for storage, but there is 'shed loads' of storage area all over it!
Very stable to tow due to the stabiliser and Al-Ko braking system, plus interior set out so that it seems to be a very stable van.
Very spacious when on site, and the bathroom is massive!!
We've looked at other vans, but more than happy with a Bailey - oh, and yes, we found one screw that had gone slightly through a panel, which was quickly dealt with.
------------- Glyn W.
What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?
Possibly not, lost trust due to our craking panels, won't be boring and repetative, (just see oler posts).
I wouldn't buy another NEW van unless I could afford to trade in every three years or so. I think if you know you will be trading in it doesn't matter if certain bits have fallen off or are not to your liking, you may get lucky next time.
IMHO
If you went to a dealer that would have ....say for example.....
an old Vanroyce and a new run of the mill caravan and look inside both.....
The vanroyce would feel like it wants to hug you,and make you feel safe.
The new one would feel nice, clean and modern but you get the feeling that it won't stand the test of time like the Vanroyce.
tis swings and roundabouts , compare a coachman for example to a bailey, yes the standard of finish on a coachman is superior , BUT, its likely to be heavier more expensive to buy (new) and can 99% guarantee the storage space ie, overhead lockers etc wont come close to a Bailey.
Ours is a twin 2002 and one thing about everybody who has looked inside and has a new bailey said is,ours is a better build quality.The fixings are better,the wood,the finish.They also said,and ive had a look,is that the wood on their cupboards is very thin.I guess all the companies want to build a light big van and i can see now how some of the older vans are still on the road.
I'm racking my brains here trying to think of another high-cost item where companies sell items that have cracking panels (unsuitable for the job) or wheels dropping off (potentially lethal) and it isn't all over Watchdog etc.
Quote: Originally posted by alan29 on 30/6/2011
I'm racking my brains here trying to think of another high-cost item where companies sell items that have cracking panels (unsuitable for the job) or wheels dropping off (potentially lethal) and it isn't all over Watchdog etc.
Me too Al, I can't get my head round it either, People seem just to accept that they have these type of defects as the norm.
BUT
If the dealers are rectifying the problems as they seem to be then I can't see that the programme would be interested.
We have the Ancona, is spot on. Had the Ranger 620/6 before and 510/4 before that. All good, had a few minor issues but soon rectified by dealers.
Not being smart here but I paid £15,000 for our Ancona from Cambells of Preston.
Went away for first time last w/e in the Ancona and is definatley worth the cash.
Although both Rangers did the job well.