Which one?! HELP

[dutchcoles]

Hi all

I am looking to buy a campervan up to £2500 so that I can start my travels. I am hoping to travel to europe in the summer so I need something reliable. I have been given some advice from a mechanic friend of mine who says that I should only be looking at certain Fiats, Ford or VW but only the newer T4's with water cooled engines. He has discounted alll others and has said that I should only be looking at newer models. However my budget will find difficulty getting there.

However, he has also admited that he knows nothing about campervans and actually dosen't even like them and prefers caravans so I'm guessing his advice may not necessarily be the best.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Is there a year I should go no older than? Which make? What I should be looking for? And anything else you may think useful would be great.

I have been looking at a Ford Glendale but its from 1985 - does that may it a no go and is there certain questions I should ask the seller?
Many Thanks
Stacey

 

[Channa]

Hi all

I am looking to buy a campervan up to £2500 so that I can start my travels. I am hoping to travel to europe in the summer so I need something reliable. I have been given some advice from a mechanic friend of mine who says that I should only be looking at certain Fiats, Ford or VW but only the newer T4's with water cooled engines. He has discounted alll others and has said that I should only be looking at newer models. However my budget will find difficulty getting there.

However, he has also admited that he knows nothing about campervans and actually dosen't even like them and prefers caravans so I'm guessing his advice may not necessarily be the best.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Is there a year I should go no older than? Which make? What I should be looking for? And anything else you may think useful would be great.

I have been looking at a Ford Glendale but its from 1985 - does that may it a no go and is there certain questions I should ask the seller?
Many Thanks
Stacey

With respect, a £2500 budget will probably not get you much, and you could well be buying £2500 worth of problems.

TBH If I had a budget of £2500 I would look towards a towcar and caravan. You will probably get a lot more for your money.

There are advantages / disadvantages with car & caravan and motorhomes.

And a point often overlooked seems to be the associated cost of maintenance. Which could be a problem on an older van.

If you read through some of the threads here, people have had serious bills on motorhomes costing thousands and that are relatively new.

I have no wish to dampen your enthusiasm, And my comments are meant in the right spirit.

Good luck whatever you decide and buy

Channa

 

[dutchcoles]

With respect, a £2500 budget will probably not get you much, and you could well be buying £2500 worth of problems.

TBH If I had a budget of £2500 I would look towards a towcar and caravan. You will probably get a lot more for your money.

There are advantages / disadvantages with car & caravan and motorhomes.

And a point often overlooked seems to be the associated cost of maintenance. Which could be a problem on an older van.

If you read through some of the threads here, people have had serious bills on motorhomes costing thousands and that are relatively new.

I have no wish to dampen your enthusiasm, And my comments are meant in the right spirit.

Good luck whatever you decide and buy

Channa

Thanks Channa.

I had thought of a caravan and tow but I wanted the van for festivals etc... and quick weekends away so thought the van would be more appropriate.

Unfortunately thats the budget that I've got. Believe me I would love to have more to spend but I guess we all have to start somewhere.

 

[rickboy]

Best value

Hi. For you budget I would look for a newish panel van that someone has started to convert and got disenchanted with(its a lot more involved than many people think).
If its only for summer use a panel van with a side door is a good bet ,you can kit it out with camping style stuff and a couple of car batteries.
Newish vans a quite nice to drive for longer trips and easy for spares and repairs.
Look on eBay to get an idea of what you get for you money.
M.O.T's are very strict now on rust ,beware even on newish vans(Front lower panels on Ducato/Boxer vans).
If you go down the Ducato/Boxer route check for 5th gear problems and
rust oil sumps.
Just teat it as luxury camping and go for it.Whatever you spend there is a lot of luck involved,don't overthink it like us olduns.

Happy camping

Rick

 

[dutchcoles]

Thanks Rick.

I really appreciate the advice. It seems that I have two choices open to me. An older proper motorhome or a newer conversion. So you would recommend a conversion then. I know you mentioned Fiats but what do you think of ford transit conversions as I see lots of them on ebay.

Thats great. Thanks again

 

[ajs]

Thanks Rick.

I really appreciate the advice. It seems that I have two choices open to me. An older proper motorhome or a newer conversion. So you would recommend a conversion then. I know you mentioned Fiats but what do you think of ford transit conversions as I see lots of them on ebay.

Thats great. Thanks again

TALBOT EXPRESS CAMELOT MOTORHOME CAMPERVAN on eBay (end time 10-Jan-10 12:54:29 GMT)


an e.g of about all you will get m/h wise...
this, for example, =12 months free motoring...taxed and MOT'd

regards
aj

 

[dutchcoles]

Thanks AJ. That would probably do for me to be honest. Shame its so far away. At least I know what I can get for my money now.

Stacey

 

[biggirafe]

Thanks Rick.

I really appreciate the advice. It seems that I have two choices open to me. An older proper motorhome or a newer conversion. So you would recommend a conversion then. I know you mentioned Fiats but what do you think of ford transit conversions as I see lots of them on ebay.

Thats great. Thanks again

Hi
One thing to note is that for that money you will be looking at an old Motorhome and you will find it difficult if not impossible to get recovery cover for europe. This may not be important but if you breakdown you will be on your own without it.

With a newer converted panal van this will not be an issue.

 

[dutchcoles]

Thanks. I hadn't realised that and would definately want recovery cover. Definately food for thought.

 

[rickboy]

Thanks Rick.

I really appreciate the advice. It seems that I have two choices open to me. An older proper motorhome or a newer conversion. So you would recommend a conversion then. I know you mentioned Fiats but what do you think of ford transit conversions as I see lots of them on ebay.

Thats great. Thanks again

Transits are good to drive and fix in the U.k.
Check for failed turbo.

 

[Channa]

Hi. For you budget I would look for a newish panel van that someone has started to convert and got disenchanted with(its a lot more involved than many people think).
If its only for summer use a panel van with a side door is a good bet ,you can kit it out with camping style stuff and a couple of car batteries.
Newish vans a quite nice to drive for longer trips and easy for spares and repairs.
Look on eBay to get an idea of what you get for you money.
M.O.T's are very strict now on rust ,beware even on newish vans(Front lower panels on Ducato/Boxer vans).
If you go down the Ducato/Boxer route check for 5th gear problems and
rust oil sumps.
Just teat it as luxury camping and go for it.Whatever you spend there is a lot of luck involved,don't overthink it like us olduns.

Happy camping

Rick

And you can buy a newish ( definition required ) van for 2.5 K ?

A van forgetting camping equipment for a moment on a £2500 budget buys very little.. ???

Even less if the £2500 includes camping equipment.

Alternatively.

£1300 for a 99 V reg Volvo 2.4 estate, circa 100 k miles £1200 for a caravan with heater cooker bed etc...

If the car provides troublesome abroad, one still has a bed for the night!!...caravan troublesome even a car to sleep in ..

A Motorhome ....pretty goosed...Not many garages I suspect will let you kip on premises overnight especially if the van is elevated on a ramp in the workshop.

BTW not for a second am I trying to disuade from motorhome ownership, But on a restricted budget suggested more bang per the buck with other alternatives.

Channa

 

[rickboy]

Thanks AJ. That would probably do for me to be honest. Shame its so far away. At least I know what I can get for my money now.

Stacey

Old Talbot- No power stearing .Thursty old push rod engine out of a 1970's Chrysler 180 and SLOW SLOW SLOW. Not for a young man!!!They did not galvinise the bodies untill about 1990 so rust can be a problem.
Remember its only old folk that say "many a good tune played on an old fiddle"
I know I am one but at least I realise it.
Rick

 

[dutchcoles]

Haha Thanks Rick. If its not for a young man then I guess its definately not for a young woman.

Must admit from the advice so far I'm getting the impression that a van conversion might be the way to go. Someone has even suggested that a buy a new van and convert it myself as I go.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[rickboy]

Young Woman. Converting one is a labour of love,using one is fun.
You decide!!
Rick

 

[dutchcoles]

Should I buy a car and camp instead

hi

I've had the suggestion that I should spend my money on a tidy car instead and take a tent etc around europe. What do you think?

It tempting as I do need a new car but was going to spend most money on the van and then get a cheap runaround.

What do you think?

 

[derekfaeberwick]

hi

I've had the suggestion that I should spend my money on a tidy car instead and take a tent etc around europe. What do you think?

It tempting as I do need a new car but was going to spend most money on the van and then get a cheap runaround.

What do you think?

Buy a van and a tent, then? Simples. ,

 

[maingate]

Hi dutchcoles,

You do not need a huge car to camp in. A few people on here have quite small vehicles.

Look for the ones with removable rear seats and a flat floor base.

You can get awnings which are fitted at the back end of the car and give a lot of useful space.

Whether you go with a small tent or an awning, you will probably have to use sites. You will need to factor in booking them and the extra cost involved.

In good weather, all you need is a van with a mattress, a camping stove and a water carrier. These are known as "stealth campers", although a lot of them are fully fitted out inside. They blend in and can be parked literally anywhere. That will cut out site costs, which can be spent on food.

You are getting a lot of conflicting ideas but one of them might be the sort of thing that appeals to you.

Best of luck.

 

[Firefox]

If there's only one or two of you then something quite small would be fine. I'm thinking between 5 to 6 metres long.

You were right that your mechanic friend had not got too good a handle on the base vehicle, especially in your budget range, it is more important to get a good value buy rather than worry about make, model, or colour.

The Renault Masters, Peugots, VW's, Mercedes, Fiats, Transits, and Bedfords are all good vehicles. But you probably don't want to look at VW's initially as they have a certain cult status and command higher prices so that could kill a smallish budget.

Look on Ebay or the small ads to try and find a bargain. £2500 really is entry level for complete motorhomes. The reason for this is they are packed with valuable parts that cost more than you'd think:

eg (New prices)

Water/blown-air boiler/heater £1300, 3 way fridge £600, Cooker/Grill/Hob sink £600

That's your £2500 gone and haven't even bought the van yet!

 

[dutchcoles]

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice. I've got a much clearer view now of what I want than I did this morning!

 

[Firefox]

No probs If you see something you like, post a link. As Maingate says you'll get some conflicting opinions but hopefully enough will be on similar lines to enable you to pick your way through it!