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i still havnt heard many other good reasons for buying new over old though.. :)
I think the point is, that there doesn't need to be a good reason...it's a personal choice based on personal circumstances. Same reason some people want a new mercedes car, but others have a second hand ford...some people buy houses, others rent...there are pros and cons for each option based on an individual's circumstances.
The newer second hand ones aren't a huge saving on the brand new ones considering there isn't the manufacturers warranty. Its a huge hit to have a damp van that you have to pay to get repaired.
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 31/7/2014
The newer second hand ones aren't a huge saving on the brand new ones considering there isn't the manufacturers warranty. Its a huge hit to have a damp van that you have to pay to get repaired.
Still I would rather pay a smaller amount of money and expect some form of damp than pay a huge amount and then find to my horror that my new van was riddled with damp.
Just too many horror stories of new damp vans around and the follow up stories of the troubles folks have had trying to get them sorted.
We bought new after buying second hand to see if we liked caravanning. We do, and we got a huge discount on a new van that we wouldn't of got had we bought a year old van. Ten year guarantee also holds a huge attraction as we are now planning to get value for money by keeping this lovely van for many years until our youngest has outgrown caravanning and then we can invest in a van just for 'two', which may not mean small but will mean a layout just to suit us........Love caravans
You can't beat sleeping on a bed that only you have slept in. I've had new and old caravans and I know what I prefer. Not all people with new vans are show offs. Some of us just want something they think will work well for them and it's our money to spend how we like. We've recently traded our 3 year old van in and didn't "lose" much on what we had originally paid.
Our new. An has a 5 year warranty, which to us gives peace of mind.
We have had good and bad experience with dealers. The large one in Surrey will never have me cross their threshold again after their rude, arrogant, offhand inefficient post sales service. Their loss as I anticipate caravanning for a good 30 more years. On the other hand, the place we have just purchased from, in Warwickshire, couldn't be more efficient, friendly and helpful.
As for side dinettes, we have a five berth model with fixed rear bunk beds and a side dinette. It's the perfect layout for a family of four. And we have 3 children and it still works beautifully for us. (Even more so as the oldest one prefers to sleep in a pup tent!)
Exactly, Bigm2. It's all a matter of personal preference. If you have the money to buy new, and that is what you want to do, why not? As you say, it's your money.
We simply don't have that kind of money, so our choices are far more limited, however if we did have the money maybe we would have bought new too. I honestly can't say because I have never been in that position, and now having retired we probably never will. We will still carry on enjoying our Oldie though, as it has all we need. As for 30 years time, I just hope we are still around, but I'm not sure we will still be caravanning!
Incidentally, nobody else has ever slept on our new memory-foam mattress topper, it's pure luxury and much cheaper than a new van!
I honestly think the 5 or 10 year guarantee's can in some case's be worthless, especially regarding damp issues as has been well documented on this site.
They are simply unable to get a permanent fix..and worse case some folks taking a massive loss to get rid of the damp caravan or even taking manufacturers to court.
Less of an issue if you are lucky enough to get a damp free van.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I could afford a new van but happy with my 2004 one. Got it the way OH wants it...look after it and that makes me happy. Each to their own and good luck to them.No envy from this hosue. Same with cars...2 neighbours have Latest cars...go no where in them just wah on a sunday.We away that often i get the polish car wash to do mine ....i got places to go and see rather than clean a car lol.
Oh and away for a week early tomorrow just local but away after coming back from canada and scotland
We could buy a new van, several in fact. We could also splash out on a new motorhome if we wished, but in both cases, been there and done that.
So someone else has slept on the bed I now sleep on. Well I have been in plenty of places like that. Hotels, hospitals, Youth Hostels but not tried prison. Yet.
I have never really given s/h beds a thought before.
Looking around the sites we use, I would be hard pushed to tell you what is new or what was old, unless I am looking at say a Thompson Glen or the likes.
Mine is 17 years old now and does us just fine.
As long as you are content with what you have and it does everything for you that you want it to, why chase the T factor.
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: Glad I own an older caravan
