Thank you all for your replies. I looked up the links and found dealers within an hours drive. planning to visit and try some out.Hopefully they will let me do a test drive.
Does anyone reccomend having the AA look it over ?
Yep, look at the T4 vw mine is a base vehicle but i use it for Camping have got a spacemaker awning from justkampers and it is great i have also have two dogs, you can get them at a reasonable price, check a few out on ebay to get a idea of what they look inside ect.
The Bongos are renowned for cracked heads and a fair sprinkling of other problems. I think they are very versatile vehicles but I have ruled them out having considered one for ages.
Better going for a Nissan Elgrand www.elgrand.co.uk for the Nissan reliability.
Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 23/11/2007
The Bongos are renowned for cracked heads and a fair sprinkling of other problems. I think they are very versatile vehicles but I have ruled them out having considered one for ages.
Ali
I agree with above but:- A lot of the problems actually arise due too lack of maintainence and observation, I dont regard the Bongo as being an unreliable vehicle just remember that they average out at 10 yrs old the same problems will arise with any other make as well,I have had mine now for 20 mths and to be honest its the best vehicle I have ever owned and Ive had a lot in 30 yrs of driving IMHO the Bongo pound for pound is a superb buy a well maintained and looked after one is very good value.
And remember the Owners Club www.bongofury.co.uk is a fantastic resource for advice.
The trouble is MM when buying a 10 year old vehicle if the previous owners have not looked after it, and that is not always evident, then you can be buying a can of worms. I believe there is a difference in the metal/components used in some of the imports with the Bongos and the Paj's being particularly susceptible to problems. The wardens on the site we use had an outfit come in with a cooked head - a Paj - and we were talking about the manufacturing differences and why they come unstuck once they are imported. I can't remember the technicalities now.
Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 23/11/2007
The Bongos are renowned for cracked heads and a fair sprinkling of other problems. I think they are very versatile vehicles but I have ruled them out having considered one for ages.
Ali
It's a shame really, considering the excellent reputation most of the cars from Japan have.
Regarding the average Bongo being 10 years old, this is no real age for a modern car and should not really have developed any real problems if properly maintained. I must admit, they are nice vehicles but I don't think I'd consider owning one.
I liked the Romahomes but when I saw the Dimension was actually disappointed. It is very easy to thump your head on exit and I am only 5ft 3 1/2 so hardly ridiculously tall.
The other smaller models are brilliant. Anybody going to defend the dimension??
We've had our Dimension nearly 3 years and never bumped our heads once, I am 5'10", we know other Dimension owners and haven't heard that complaint before, it is of course a different van to the Romahome Outlook which has the rear door, the Dimension has a side door. Its just a matter of what you get used to I suppose.
I think for the orginal poster a smaller Romahome would be better for one person and a 2 dogs and a Dimension would cost considerably more than £8,000.
The last thing I want to do is upset happy owners but when I saw them in shepton mallet show loads of people were thumping their heads. Just a fact, not a judgement. I climbed out of loads of campervans of a similar layout and did not have a problem.. this was their new one maybe the design has changed???
I really am seeking an impersonal judgement here as the other Romahomes are so excellent in every way. Just classics.. but the Dimension as I said I thumped my head.
We would not change our Romahome Outlook as it suits us at the moment.
I like the way the beds can easily be made up in a U shape ie the sleeping bit made as a double and the bottom left as two separate, gives double bed feel but with space to step out if necessary without having to crawl about.
Some smaller vans have only one long seat cushion each side which is also more difficult when searching the underseat storage areas.
You could sleep your pets on the driver and passenger seats in little beds or under the made up bed or just on the second bed if you have them as singles.
Whatever you choose I am sure you will be happy as you are doing your homework!
I also like the look of the Nuventure (just the long seat cushions puts me off - for reasons stated)
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: which small campervan
