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Ok,

As from my last post, you will know I am taking to court the teller of my last van as its rotten. Anyway, I have written off the £3k, and if I get any back, its a bonus.

So, I am looking for a new van. MY situation is that I have a 5year old daughter and a 9 month old son. Caravanning for me is away to spend more time with them and allow them to see new places etc and for a better family life.

So, I am looking for I say a minimum period of 10 years for my next van.

Now, I either go for a nearly new van, say upto 5 years old, and pay from £5-6K upwards, or should I look realistically at a new one for say £11K, and had in mind a Bailey Pageant/Ranger  - as they have the 6 year bodywork warranty or even the Michale Jordan Expression model as its got loads of extra's

Now, money is not an issue as such. Of course I would like to spend as little as possibly, but in the end of the day, I need to look at long term. Any caravan I buy will be covered over the winter periods and any long delays in me not using it so that will help preserve the van and help resale values further down the lines.

Any advice?

Scott

Hi Scott

if you are looking for longjevity I would seriously consider the new van.

Older vans are great, I started out with a 16yr old van but found that it was getting more and more time consuming to keep it in order, plus parts for caravans arent cheap.

You've started with an excellent choice to start looking at, The rangers offer some excellent vans and I nearly bought one, however O/H didnt like the full front window.

It took me nearly 6 months to make my final decision and then 6 months for delivery.

The time taken will identify the decision making ie: looking at hundreds of vans and thinking would I still want this van in 10 - 15 yrs

Good hunting and the best of British with your claim

Hi we have had two caravans now, both were as new when we bought them I would have a good look about before you decide on web sites such as caravan finder, we found quite a few at bargain prices that people had bought and used just a couple of times and didn't take to caravanning etc you also tend to get all the extras, when we bought ours last Year it had been used only a few times, we offered a lower price than the guy was asking and saved several thousand on new price, as well as it having motor mover, awning etc included.

Most vans also can have the warranty transferred for a small fee.

HI

Thanks for that. I must admit the saving of several thousands is tempting over the new price. One of the reasons why I am looking at Bailey is there warranty, its just looks good. If they can put that on there vans, why does no one else.

Scott

Yeh, I think from speaking with Berkshire Caravans thats from 2004 onwards - the 6 year warranty

Does anyone think the Bailey new 6 year warranty is going to help resale value of there vans. If so, I may go for a 2 year old Pageant that has the 6 year warranty.

Scott

Just a thought. I know you were stung by your problem with the other caravan and I hope you get your money back. He sounds like a real cowboy. I was just thinking before you spend 11K have you ever caravanned before? Will you enjoy it? Not everyone takes to it. Hope you do enjoy it.

Regards Robin

hi, we bought our Bailey in January this year and we were told that warranties were only transferable from 2005.  Our bailey is a 2004 model so we did not wualify.  They said at Barrons and some other dealers that any Bailey bought in 2005 and then sold on -that warranty could be transfered to the new owner.  I will have to investigate more.!!   I may contact Bailey themselves.

Thanks Gary

Hi Scott

we have just bought an avondale dart 8 months old saving £3000 on new. it still has labels on the cushions. take a look at the new sprites, Major is a nice six berth with fixed bunks. Similar warranty to the Bailey and priced about the same. The Sprite is a better van in my opinion (finishing touches)  and i would have gone for it if the Dart wasn't so attractively priced.

Hi Scott,

Just bought a new van a couple of months ago.  I believe Swift now offer a comparable warranty to Bailey.  I bought an Elddis, which has 3 yrs standard &  5 year water ingress warranties. These can be transferred to a subsequent owner for a small fee.

Perhaps you could consider a "New Old" van - brand new but not the current year's model, which many dealers sell at a discount.

Good luck with the search & happy camping.

Andrew.

Hi all as said previously I have contacted Bailey direct and they sent me this to copy and pste for all to read.  Hope it helps. Gary  

The factory back warranty was personal to the original owner of the caravan.  When purchased new through a Bailey approved retailer, any existing warranty is not transferable to a second owner of this used caravan.

To increase the scope of the warranty package, by extending cover to multiple ownership, would have incurred an additional cost which would have to be included in the retail price of the caravan.

Bailey felt that the first purchaser should not be penalised by having to bear the cost of warranty for subsequent owners.

In addition, the recent changes in consumer law dictate that caravan retailers now have to supply used caravans, of up to a certain age, with a warranty. Consequently the need for a transferable manufacturers warranty is reduced.

Our policy has now been reviewed and any caravan manufactured by Bailey after 1^st September 2005 will have the option of a transferable warranty, subject to terms and conditions and on production of a full service history and an administration fee of £25.

We had the same dilemma - new or used. It's like used cars - you can get a top of the range model and save thousands or a new basic one. We spent nearly £10k on our 2 year old Cristall Moorea - it was top of the range when new at £16k so we got a fully specced van for £6k off. its up to you - the new bailey disc 200 at £8700 plus £450 for the blinds and fly screens is a good buy and well under your £10k budget.

The advice on last years model is great - who cares if the front window has changed shape - you still get a brand spanker...

Buy a £30 damp tester from ebay when looking around private sales - i would stick with big dealers.

You are doing the right thing - cant beat getting the kids away every weekend. Good luck in your buying.

Hi

Well, I caravanned when I was 15 with some relatives and loved it then. We got one as we/I wanted to spend more time with the kids. With me, I think I love the planning just as much as the trip and having the option to go away at the weekends pretty cheaply is a godsend, with my work being pretty hectic in the week. The vans these days are like home with all the mod cons, whats not to like

Gary - the consumer law you say about vans being over a certain age for warranty, is that listed anywhere. I was referref to the Consumer Goods Act 2002 which was made/updated because of the likes of ebay and rogue dealers, and they have to give a 6 month warranty by law.

Heres whats on the dti website:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/guide/sogconsumerguide.pdf

Is this the case or have I been told wrong by several people?

Scott

Thanks Gary.

Seriously considering nearly new, just need to find the right van, so many to choose from its a nightmare.

I suppose Bailey and Abbey are known for build quality, and that will be good for long term values.

I pasted in earlier to the dti website ref my pending court case, seems the dealer does not have a leg to stand on since they introduced this new law 3 years ago

Scott