Hi Daniel Many thanks for your interest. As I have indicated it would be fairer to all, as having 2 sons at Uni, I am probably not in a position to make a realistic offer until I sell my Merc Vito campervan (prepared by Ian Baxter Devon and all have sold quickly). Living in Northern Ireland restricts my market and coming into the winter is not the best time to sell.
Apologies for not replying earlier it's been a strange few months! Literally just as I bought the Panache I was made redundant so Ive been doing a cross between helping people out and looking for a new job (still looking but all fine with irons in the fire!).
With the amazing weather we have been having I think I should've bought a boat! Suffice to say I haven't been camping in it yet but there are no leaks and it stands up to high winds very well! :)
So what's the current status? Well, I'm consistently returning over 40mpg even driving hard and have covered 6000 miles. I have had the seat cushion repaired (great job!) and a Webasto heater added (vent is already built into Panache for modification) with controls both in the van and through an iPhone app (so I can have the van nice and warm before I get in plus it checks battery condition and temperature inside the van - more useful than it sounds but I like my gadgets!).
There was a problem with the front suspension which was all repaired under warranty from Choose Leisure and all is well. There's a washer bottle leak and the join of the head with the main tank which I'll get done eventually but it's not a buggy.
Due to some of the gales, my girls and I have been sat in it with the roof down (otherwise we'd have been sailing!) either chatting or eating with no problems. I'm getting used to the seating arrangement and, once you get used to it its fine.
We made a number of trips to Ipswich Town FC (its one of my sins) but on one trip (with gale force winds) we turned it into a 4 seater with two tables (with no roof up) and sat lovely and warm with the Webasto chucking out warm air waiting for the match to start - perfect!
To drive it is very good indeed and this is often remarked on by passengers. Parking is usually no problem at all and the sliding doors are a boon as, sometimes, you can't open the driver's door but you can climb easily through to the back and out through the sliding doors.
My van came with a tow hook and stepping plate on the back. I've 'Hammerited' the tow hook fitting and will do the stepping plate when the weather is more consistent. Really pleased with that but the fitting means getting the underslung spare out is a right pain so I might have that looked at. On tyres, I replaced the lot as there was a fair amount of wear with Dunlop tyres - low noise, good fuel economy and great in the wet - they have made a real difference to the already good drive.
So all in all, very happy non-camper and the van is as good as I hoped. Case in point, my youngest moved to rent a house 2 weeks ago and I thought, with the fixed rear seats and kitchen units, the van wasn't best suited to assist. However, it happily consumed 4 suitcases (don't ask) between the units and two more (please don't) between the seats plus lots of other bits and bobs.
I have no complaints and am looking forward to getting out in it properly. We're booked up for Devon over Easter but would dearly like to get away earlier - still we'll see.
Hope you're well and let me know what your thoughts are!
Wonderful to hear from you. You certainly have had an eventful time and I hope things work out. We sold our Vito van about 2 weeks ago to a lovely couple from the Isle of Man and then went to the NEC Birmingham to view other options. When we we there we also saw a Panache which to our surprise was a little too small for us. It is a beautiful van with great mpg and lovely to drive but Lois and I struggles to move about it.
Anyway we still have not found what we want and will continue to search. Keep in touch.
Will do! I know what you mean about moving around (something Dave mentioned too when moving between the rear seats - I think we will see how that feels when I have it in full camping mode) Did you go and see Stephen Wheeler at Wheelhome? Not sure it's big enough or in your budget but the Skurry is a lovely van with a rear right angled lounge which means there is no walking though the vehicle as the lounge butts up against the back of the front seats - if there was a LWB available I'd have gone for that! :)
Good luck in your search and let me know what you end up with!
Yes saw Stephen and the Skurry at the show. However we are aware of Toyota Alphards now arriving in the UK and are being converted. Again we will have to see how they turn out.
Hi
Should be good as Wellhouse Leisure are doing them I think and they have a pretty decent reputation. I like their new Terrier too just too expensive and won't fit under most height barriers which is a big deal for me as use the van as my only vehicle.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Wheelhome Panache
