Which do you feel is the preferred option assuming that the AutoSleeper Harmony/Duetto bodies are identical in quality..?
1994 Talbot Express 2.0 Petrol 42k miles or 1998 For Transit 2.0 Petrol 64k miles (the latter is £1000 more expensive) - FSH on both - we intend to do £5k miles annually.
Thanks in anticipation
Bryan
------------- I get knocked down, but I get up again
Weatherby - April 10
Abersoch - May 10
Beeston - Jun 10
Delamere - Jul 10
Malvern - Jul 10
Grantham - Aug 10
Tarporley - Aug 10
Okay,some may think they have more of a "builders van" look/feel about them but they're reliable and,if maintained,pretty bullet proof.
Also,I always prefer RWD,for something like campervans and motorhomes,which are likey to be used on grass pitches,
..Our first van was an '03 Duetto..and it was very well put together..
...I sometimes wish we'd stuck with it,rather than heading off down the wobbly-coachbuilt route...
If you do opt for the the Talbot,check the gear selection..the one I owned was a b*tch to get into reverse(..I believe there's a mod' availabe though..)and check for rust (and filler!)around the base of the windscreen pillars..use a magnet!
..And although the Transit you're looking at has done more miles than the Talbot..it is 4 years younger..! (..that's 4 salt encrusted winters less and 4 years less,sitting idle,festering away on someones' driveway.. )
A bit obvious this bit but check the *age and condition of the tyres(not just the tread depth)and make sure any "age cracks" in the sidewalls,haven't just been disguised with tyre-black...You don't want to "get a bargain", to then have to fork out for a set of tyres a month later...
* I believe "they"(?) state that tyres should be replaced after 5 years,irrespective of the depth of tread...
Tranny every time. Much easier to drive, spares more readily available, rear wheel drive - and in this case there's 4 years age difference, as Pepe says that's 4 years more of potential body rot.
Do both have power steering? The tranny probably will have, not sure on the Talbot.
I've owned both - an 88 and a 90 tranny, and a 91 Talbot, would never buy a Talbot again.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
We have recently bought a transit van and converted it and just wondered if we will be looked down upon in the campervan/motorhome community, when we turn up on sites with our builders convertion?
Is there much snobbery around in the camping world, i genuinely haven't got a clue, only ever owned a tent before so didn't notice really then.
Well,it tends to be signwritten vans,with just a mattress,a gas stove and a bucket,that they have probelms with
I would've have thought so along as it's "fully converted",you'll be fine!...and besides,you can sit there feeling the warm glow of snugness,knowing your van cost a fraction of some of the others on site,yet is still doing the same job!
Obviously there will be some sites that would rather only have a certain "clientele"..
but the way I see it,that's no different to any other walk of life(..Hotels,pubs,clubs etc,only allow folk in, based on dress code,looks etc..)
..and if there is ever a problem,you just take your money somewhere else..
The Caravan Club gets a bit of flack for being snobby..but to be honest,we haven't found that to be the case(...I reckon it just seems that way because CC members do tend to be slightly older..?)
There's loads of sites available through the "Campsite Search" on here(..in fact it tends to be our first port of call)..and the reviews are very helpful..
A tranny every time for me. (including the vans ) Is there any snobbery in camping? Only around every corner! You just have to bite straight through it.
We aqquired an old couple as neighbours on the next pitch last year. They were telling us theyd first gone to a 'club' site a mile or two away without booking, but couldnt get on. So they'd 'had to come here' - a 'commercial site' Shock, horror. It was a very nice little independent site - easily as good as anywhere else we'd been. I asked them if they didnt think the 'club' sites made money? They didnt answer. Snobbery? Surely not.
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: First Camper Question
) Is there any snobbery in camping? Only around every corner! You just have to bite straight through it.
