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Since we are now in the process of aquiring a Sprite caravan can other owners give me their honest opinions of this brand? What are the good points - what are the bad points? What do you like about yours?

Thanks

William

Our best friends have a 2007 major 5 and love it, Its virtually identical to our previous swift charisma.

The feel very well put together in my opinion and represent very good value for money.  They have had there sprite 2 years now and haven't had a single problem.

We have a 2007 Quattro ES.They are good vans,but we have had a fair few probs with ours.I'm starting to think that we were just unlucky,maybe just got 'a bad 'un'.Our dealer is slowly getting all the probs sorted though (which started when we picked it up from new-the front sofa's/beds weren't screwed down,and made their way across the van).But we have had a lot of headaches.Latest one being damp in the bathroom.Awaiting dealer to confirm arrangements to take her in to replace all rear end panels,it appears that a stress crack in the back panel is the cause of the damp.Also needs a new oven,as ours has rusted very badly.Our charger also packed in on the second outing in it,2nd day into a weeks holiday -but it was promptly replaced on our return,and no probs with it since (touch wood).

We do love our van,we have used it a fair bit and have thoroughly enjoyed it.We aren't the moaning sort,honestly!But bad luck seems to follow us around lol.The van is ideal for our needs.But not sure if I'd have another,purely because of our bad experience with it.

Quote: Originally posted by jasie on 20/10/2009

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Ive installed an alarm and mover so have been around the van with a fine toothcomb when I put all the wiring in, and I must say i was quite impressed with the quality....

although.....
The kitchen sink seal could be better...i'm going to whip it out and run a bead of silicon around it to make sure there is no water getting near/under the laminate worktop.

The bathroom sink was missing a screw underneath also and may have worked the other loose over time. Only took me a few seconds to fix.

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Thanks for the input - can you tell me what alarm you fitted ? I plan on doing the same but I have been looking at automotive ones rather than specific caravan ones. We are replacing the sink with one of the new stone effect ones as well. As far as the bathroom sink is concerned what you have described is very common across the swift range - the method of holding the sink in place isn't brilliant - we arrived at a site in our Abbey and the sink was hanging down the front of the unit held only by the waste pipe - I put it back in with gripfill and that seemed to solve the problem. Will also do some extra shelves in the wardrobe and would like to fit a wet locker below the bed. Already had external gas and power points fitted by dealer. Will still miss the Abbey though (for a while at least).

William

• outside light
• alarm sounder (fitted behind fridge)
• rear leg strut (sensor if wound-up)
• PIR sensor (by clock on overhead locker)
• Power (used the socket that you can plug a solar panel into to avoid cutting into any wiring, hence avoid manufaturer warranty issues)

Thanks - looks the job and should be an easy DIY fit. Tried to get a cheap one but nothing listed at the minute. Wont be doing it till next week anyway but must discuss it with one of my mates who used to be in alarm business - maybe he could get me one cheap.

William

If you are looking at purchasing a sprite quattro08- 09 please look very carefully at the back panel especially where the lower GRP lighting panel joins the alumium section . Ours wasn't sealed correctly causing 40% damp readings when it was only 9 months old . The dealer offered to exchange it for another one unfortunately the 3 other new caravans offered all had the same fault .I have since looked at other sprite quattro models on other dealers forecourts several have the same fault . I traded it in for a caravan with a single piece GRP panel . Other problem areas include failed Nord charger units , blown front windows  & sticking Hartell door locks.However these can be present across the entire swift range they're not specific to the sprite models . I wouldn't have another one although loved the FB layout !