I am thinking of buying a camper van for myself and my 14 year old daughter - I already have a car which I would keep as a main vehicle, so I want something for holidays and weekends away with a cooker/fridge etc. I don't fancy erecting tents; also I'm not keen on sleeping on the ground. We love the VW campers but I imagine they are expensive to keep running; also we don't have a garage to store it (well we do, but it is full of junk!). Is it better to keep them garaged? Would be grateful for any advice. By the way, I don't know the first thing about engines/mechanics etc.
cheaper option and probably mor reliable for the money would be a renult trafic or Toyota based vehicle. I could not convince SHMBO this should be our option so we have gone for a small coach built fiat.
This is also our first move off the ground. Mr's Rogue ( Vogue ) starting to feel her age.
------------- Wage Slave on Monday Free Man on Sunday.
Hi- I would think a high top camper van would suit you both perhaps on a transit , but although having a garage to keep one in would be great it never practical because only a tiny van would fit in the adverage garage. Transits are well known to mechanics and parts relativly cheap. best of luck kiev.
you really should go to a show or dealer and have a fun time looking at some. you should then have a good long think about which one would suit you. You will know 'the one' when you see it I am sure!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet it will be more than you planned to spend as well.
Well think around £4,000 to £9,000 - can't afford too much as want to keep my ordinary car as well - just want it for weekends away, and hols really. Also thought could use it as a spare bedroom as we haven't got a spare bedroom in our house if visitors want to stay. Love the VW old ones, think they look lovely. Would be grateful for any advice
Hi Sueian- The advice I can offer you on old VW camper vans is this, they do look lovely and they say everything about campervans and the 60s flower power and all that, but having owned a aircooled beetle ( which is the same type of engine) for over 16yrs I can say that unless you are very mechanicaly minded or know some one who is, and is conversant with them they are a pig when things go wrong.They are expensive to aquire in good condition and are not very economical to run, the saying that VW s dont accelerate but gather speed is also very true, when it was found that the aircool engines started to have No3 valve drop and ruin the engine was the time I decided to sell my old beetle. Sorry to be such a kill joy, but if you want to go camping with no worrys of getting there or back , stick to a base vehicle like a Transit or similar and have plenty of room to move around. kiev
You wont get much for £9k---maybe a P reg, if that, what sort of car do you have?--maybe a better option would be to get a caravan to tow behind it--I'm sorry your getting negative answers--I know everybody loves old VW campers but unless youve got a shed full of tools & the knowledge & inclination to do most of your own repairs--it really aint viable to own one--
Our first motorhome cost us 7k, it was a private sale at the end of the year by someone who didnt want to have to tax and insure it through the winter, it was a talbot highwayman and was great with 2 double beds and a shower and neat kitchen area and we had some great fun in her. This is the time of year when people may sell at realistic prices for convienience. I would say look around in the free ads papers, auto trader in the caravan and motorhome sections and in your local press. If yu know anyone that is mechanically minded take them with you to check it over and use your eyes and nose when checking them out. beware of any damp musty smells especially now at the end of the summer when they should be nice and dry and fresh. look for damage to the outer shell especially any distortions of the sides that might indicate delamination of the sides due to water ingress. Also check out the tyres and watch out for cracking of the side walls. There are some good bargains out there if you look for them
We store ours on our drive and it does also get used as a spare room, known in our not so posh house as the "Guest Suite" it is also a great place to hide the xmas pressies from the kids!
We went to the Shepton Mallet Motorhome show last September - JUST TO LOOK. Well, we came away having bought an old, 1987 Bedford Midi Hi Top campervan (Betty) for £3,700. It has been fantastic, we have been away lots over the last year, at least once a month usually for week ends but also for 10 days in Wales in May. It rained every day and boy weren't we glad we weren't camping!
We have had to treat the rust and we did replace the old LW/AM radio with a CD player. Betty has just been in for her MOT and we have had to spend £200 to keep her running, but no major problems (touch wood). Although not built for speed, the journey is more fun when you can look over hedgerows.
Obviously it is good advice to shop around more than we did before buying, but go for it! If you spend a bit less than the top end of your budget you will have something left for unexpected repairs, and don't forget there's insurance and tax.
Good luck hunting
------------- Never let a kiss fool you or a fool kiss you
hi there i have a motorhome for sale read the for sale ads,if you are interested phone me for more details.you will not be dissapointed.many thanks lynne.
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: New to camper vans
