Not sure what to do ...:(((

[herbenny]

Hey thanks everyone............I cant begin to tell you how relieved I feel knowing that we have made my mind up and set ourselves a realistic goal !! To be honest I felt I was selling my soul a little bit because I am a bit of a hippy chick at heart and I couldnt see myself in this motorhome (it was bit new and shiny) I would of been having forty ten fits everytime the dog breathed, but I was getting drawn into all the selling jargon of all the added extras. So we will go for something a lot older, and with a bit of soul and more importantly something that we can afford.

Time to make that (no deal) phone call.

Thanks everyone for your advice x

 

[Firefox]

Definitely go self build.

I went for mainly new components on mine but still saved loads. Budget: Van £5500 (3 years old when I got it but you easily spend half that and get a decent base van) Fittings about another £5000.

For 10-11k I got a van which would cost 35-40k new. OK, it's still not finished (!) so a bit rough round the edges in places but it's fully functional. If I'd bought second hand fittings especially stuff like fridge, hob, rooflights etc. I could have done it for maybe 5-8k.

Also, if it goes wrong now I know exactly what to do to fix it. No expensive dealers repairs or motorhome service charges.

The only thing I would say is, don't underestimate the time that goes into it. Even if you get someone to do the carpentry, you will still spend a lot of time insulating, wiring, fitting, carpetting, furnishing and sourcing stuff. It's like doing another full tme job for 6 months. And you need to be prepared to learn some things like about electrics or window fitting or the costs will go up to keep on getting tradespeople.

But a lot of the skills you may have, if you do DIY around the house.

 

[Apache Two]

As you know we were going to bite the bullet this year and go all out to get the Motorhome we really wanted. The kids are grown up now but still live at home and of course we still have a financial responsibilty to put a roof over the heads and feed them although they do contribute. I can never see them being able to get on the property ladder. ...... Dont want to go into too much of our financial woe's but I am really not sure what to do. We have seen something we really like but it will mean we have to stretch ourselves financially for the next three years right down to the last penny and I mean to the last penny. Or should we set our sites a little lower and just do it all gradual and aim for something we really want in years to come (we are both in our mid forties), and just settle for something thats practical and financially not going to give me sleepless nights.

Sometimes I have the attitude that after everything I went through last year 'oh sod it' lifes too short and at other times I am Mrs sensible who knows she needs to act like a grown up for a change !!!!

Would love to know what you would all do and your attitudes big decisions ???

Hi there.
This is my advice don't buy beyond your means and remember that the cost of running the thing needs to be afforded to..
I've bought what I could afford at the time.. Yes I could have spent £40000 and had the dream van but taking in to account all the other expense and what happens if the bubble burst...
Play safe by means of not over spending and enjoy what you will have bought with out having the stress factor if the worst happened you are not owing anybody anything ..
Well that what I've done and this would be my advice.
Take care both of you..

 

[herbenny]

Hi there.
This is my advice don't buy beyond your means and remember that the cost of running the thing needs to be afforded to..
I've bought what I could afford at the time.. Yes I could have spent £40000 and had the dream van but taking in to account all the other expense and what happens if the bubble burst...
Play safe by means of not over spending and enjoy what you will have bought with out having the stress factor if the worst happened you are not owing anybody anything ..
Well that what I've done and this would be my advice.
Take care both of you..

Thanks Apache hope your well........So glad we saw the light with a little help from our friends. Himbenny just goes with the flow of things and would buy me the earth if he could. I have been trailing the internet all day just seeing whats around. My brain is frazzled )

Take care and hope to meet up soon

 

[Apache Two]

Thanks Apache hope your well........So glad we saw the light with a little help from our friends. Himbenny just goes with the flow of things and would buy me the earth if he could. I have been trailing the internet all day just seeing whats around. My brain is frazzled )

Take care and hope to meet up soon

I know what your saying but the way things are and himbenny and I both know that hgv work is getting harder by the month.
What are you looking at self build or ready made..lol:dance:

 

[Haaamster]

Don't really know you Herbenny but from your posts you seem to love motorhomes, I don't think a transit type van would suit you because of size and for that reason I would go for an old coachbuilt for a few years till you save enough for what you want. They hold their value quite well if you keep on top of them and you won't be worrying about a few knocks and dints.
Something like this would be my choice if I had kids.

Hymer Concorde 620xs 5 Berth Fiat Ducato LHD | eBay

 

[herbenny]

I know what your saying but the way things are and himbenny and I both know that hgv work is getting harder by the month.
What are you looking at self build or ready made..lol:dance:

This is what kind of made me think:idea: ....things are so unpredictable at the moment. We havent got a clue what we want really....something thats comfortable, spacious so I am not tripping over dog and oh of course my much wanted shower. Obviously mechanically sound would be a must and not something I have to push when the going gets tough:lol-053:

 

[Apache Two]

This is what kind of made me think:idea: ....things are so unpredictable at the moment. We havent got a clue what we want really....something thats comfortable, spacious so I am not tripping over dog and oh of course my much wanted shower. Obviously mechanically sound would be a must and not something I have to push when the going gets tough:lol-053:

Well happy searching and don't go over the budget lol...
Take care.

 

[Donk]

demountable

We opted for a demountable romahome to allow us to use the base vehicle on its own (i put a luton box on it for work) and this saves in an extra lot of tax and insurance. its a bit on the small side but confortable and cosy and perfect for us. Easy to park and run. Best of both worlds :cool1:

 

[Neckender]

Hi herbenny1, I don't no what your budget is but 2 years a go my mate brought a Compass Navigator with VW T4 running gear from an Australian who had been touring Europe for 2 years, and he needed to sell it before going back home. My mate paid him £8,000 for a beautiful well looked after motorhome 1995 model, and it is most probably worth more than he paid for it even now.

John.

 

[herbenny]

Hi herbenny1, I don't no what your budget is but 2 years a go my mate brought a Compass Navigator with VW T4 running gear from an Australian who had been touring Europe for 2 years, and he needed to sell it before going back home. My mate paid him £8,000 for a beautiful well looked after motorhome 1995 model, and it is most probably worth more than he paid for it even now.

John.

Hi John

WoW...does anyone know of any australians on thier way home I would bite thier hand of... nom nom nom :lol-053:

 

[Neckender]

I've seen something before about australians and new zealanders selling their motorhomes down south somewhere, but can't remember exactly where.

John.

 

[nij]

I echo the self build route OR gert something more in your price range without all the mod cons......there are some fantastic bargains around it is just looking for them.

NO point in having something you cannot use! And by the sound of it, your eager to get out there.......

 

[n brown]

I've seen something before about australians and new zealanders selling their motorhomes down south somewhere, but can't remember exactly where.

John.

they used to line them up on a slip road behind the aussie embassy in london and live there till a buyer came. i bet if you asked there they'd know where they sell them from now

 

[kenjones]

I've seen something before about australians and new zealanders selling their motorhomes down south somewhere, but can't remember exactly where.

John.

I have distant memories of a documentary shot on a roadside somewhere in London where Australians sold camper vans before going home.
Sorry I can't remember where but perhaps someone with local knowledge can help.

 

[mandymops]

cheap and cheerful

I've just bought a camper for under £2000 and had such fun doing it up just the way we want it.It's fairly low-tech but I can't wait to start my adventures. It seems to run really well and I know I just wouldn't be able to enjoy it if it came with a huge debt hanging over my head. As others have said,if you love it,you can always upgrade later when you have more experience and know what you really need. Good luck.

 

[herbenny]

I've just bought a camper for under £2000 and had such fun doing it up just the way we want it.It's fairly low-tech but I can't wait to start my adventures. It seems to run really well and I know I just wouldn't be able to enjoy it if it came with a huge debt hanging over my head. As others have said,if you love it,you can always upgrade later when you have more experience and know what you really need. Good luck.

Hi Mandymops glad to hear your enjoying you camper ...I did what you did and bought our first campervan on impulse, but it was the best stupid impulsive decision I ever made. I am really trying to put more thought :idea:into the next purchase, but could of been telling a different story by now had I done the 'dirty deed' and signed on the dotted line today for the shiny new one.

Happy travelling any ideas where your going on your first adventure ?????

 

[herbenny]

Don't really know you Herbenny but from your posts you seem to love motorhomes, I don't think a transit type van would suit you because of size and for that reason I would go for an old coachbuilt for a few years till you save enough for what you want. They hold their value quite well if you keep on top of them and you won't be worrying about a few knocks and dints.
Something like this would be my choice if I had kids.

Hymer Concorde 620xs 5 Berth Fiat Ducato LHD | eBay

Hi Haaamster.....thanks for the link.

That looks like a really fantastic buy ....I wouldnt have a clue how to bid on ebay but its been great looking on there seeing what we could get within our budget. I really like the idea of doing a self build but himbenny is not too clever with a drill and his diy is shocking :scared:ssssssssshhhhhhh dont tell him I said that, also it would take him forever and a day as he is away with work a lot. A coachbuilt would seem more practical for us at this time but I am still open to all suggestions

 

[Deleted member 21686]

Hi Haaamster.....thanks for the link.

That looks like a really fantastic buy ....I wouldnt have a clue how to bid on ebay but its been great looking on there seeing what we could get within our budget. I really like the idea of doing a self build but himbenny is not too clever with a drill and his diy is shocking :scared:ssssssssshhhhhhh dont tell him I said that, also it would take him forever and a day as he is away with work a lot. A coachbuilt would seem more practical for us at this time but I am still open to all suggestions

When I bid on something on ebay I bid the maximum I'm willing to pay for the item in the last few seconds.

Before biding I would set up a dialog with the seller. Ask some pertinant questions.

I would not pay a penny but go the following day to see it.

 

[herbenny]

When I bid on something on ebay I bid the maximum I'm willing to pay for the item in the last few seconds.

Before biding I would set up a dialog with the seller. Ask some pertinant questions.

I would not pay a penny but go the following day to see it.

Do you mean after you have placed your bid ??? ....but I thought by ebay rules you had to pay for what you won on your bid ???? sorry Morgan I am really dim on ebay jargon it baffles me :lol-053: