Do I, don't I....currently own an ABI jubilee 1991, had her since 07, no problems, no damp, super reliable, super clean, everything works ok and no reason to think this should change in the near future. I'm only the 3rd owner (father/son before me). Recent tyres, battery, serviced by myself, I 'know' this van. Only used, say 20/30 nights max a year, sometimes only 2 nights, so not really a hardcore user. I paid 1200 for her so owes me nothing.
But for the last few weeks I've been looking at newer vans, around 07 ish, really just as a change for something more modern, but I have 2 issues holding back:
My wife loves our old abi, but that's not unsolvable!
I'm a car dealer and know from experience that the newer cars don't seem to make better used cars than say 90/early 00's models with many wallet busting issues, great new, uncertain used. My sparky is real hard user, swops between vans and motorhomes and tells the same about later build quality regarding later gear. He buys new every year but has tales of woe regarding both UK and German built issues. His real point is that I'm looking to buy too old, 6 year old van is getting on a bit so either go newer, or simply keep a good old van. He also points out money v time used and not using my old one enough!
This is most likely a common scenario, good old faithful that does all without problems, or chance a newer shinier, more comfy one with all the benifits they have?
I would keep it. Its paid for and very nearly run in! ! . I had same thing i had a five year old bailey and three kids under five, i was panicking all the time about scratches off bikes, ball etc, so bailey went and crappy 1991old jubillee envoy came. This was after crappy 1991old compass. Its the same with my car i have a 06 tourneo i thought of changing, but all i will get is new shiny tourneo, and then watch that go rusty. So i will just keep my crappy old van and slightly scratched and dinted rusty tourneo.
the other way to do it would be to pimp up your old van ,new interior lights etc ,replace seating and curtains ,(theres places that do it for you) spend a few hundred looking after it or a few thousand to replace like for like .!!!!
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
It's a small world! I sold a gentleman a 4x4 today, he has a trials bike and we got talking about motorbikes and that led onto caravan's....I originally bought my ABI for my motorbike racing for weekends away.
He recently part exchanged a sweet late 90's Swift for a late 2009 Swift which I've seen at a few trials, lovely looking thing, white and red flashes.
....split some red wine on the carpet a few weeks after purchase, whilst new carpet was being fitted the 'fitter' noticed the floor was damp, with a traceable leak to the rear end which was leaching along floor!
End result was no caravan for 4 weeks whilst the van was repaired by the selling dealer (obviously a decent dealer in North Norfolk, not sure whom though, may have been under warranty?), he tells me the van is simply wonderful, and now spends more time away in it as its just a nice place to be, quieter, cooler in this summer heat (better unsulation?), a kitchen to die for, shower that hurts with the pressure (?), flipside is he is now worried that she may spring another leak, loss of value and has got a little paranoid....now looking to sell!
.....this has left me even more confused!
He asked me about caravan condition/repair insurance....sort of thing you would buy with used car....not my market so couldn't give an answer. Rung my warranty provider (Axa unwritten, so not a micky mouse warranty)) and was amazed at the high price, this suggests they (Axa) know they will be a big claim at some point whilst under cover, the Swift was cheaper than the Bailey if that helps anyone though, as cars I sell goes on claim history...expensive warranty means good chance of claim!
I was in the same position 2 years ago and I went for the new one what a mistake that was I wished I had still got our old van.We have had all manner of problems with the one we bought which is a Bailey Ranger.Our old van was a Bessacar we had a it for 12 years and never had a problem and the people we sold it too have never had any problems with it.The grass is not always greener believe me.Ian
------------- Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
Stick with the ABI jubilee !!!!!!!!!! and like black fox said " pimp up your old van " .New seating and new lighting + new carpet / floor covering would make it feel like a new van
------------- Range Rover DHSE + 2010 Swift Challenger 570.
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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: q/ do i replace my old van?
