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Hi all, not been on here for nearly a month. Have been (and still am) in hospital. We set out looking to spend 7k on a used van, OH then saw a brand new Bailey Orion and he was adamant that was the way to go despite it being way over budget. On reflection I think he was fed up as we'd looked at loads of second hand vans and been disappointed) We put a deposit down then I became ill.

 Anyway, he took me out for lunch last Thurs and we ended up  in a different dealer with the idea of having a look in the accessories shop. On the way from the car to the shop we found ourselves stopping and looking at a very nice 2004 Bailey Pageant Bordeaux, mint condition and sensibly priced. Dont ask me why but it felt so right and I knew it was the van we had been looking for all along. After sitting there for 30 mins and chatting to the salesman we bought it . We pick it up in 2 weeks time and will be having our last tent holiday at Whitsun (as going to IOW and dont want the hassle and expense of changing the ferry booking). Really looking forward to getting the van and stuck in hospital for most of the time the awning and accessories catalogues are now well thumbed.

Being ill has changed my outlook on life, the 2004 Bailey will serve us just as well as the new Orion, in fact it ticks more boxes. Its got the decent length front seats we searched for in a lightweight single axle van, its condition belies its age and we can pay for it outright.

Just wanted to share this with you, anyone got a Bordeaux?

Congratulations on finding your van, I think you've made the right choice not buying new, it'll barely depreciate compared to a new one so you can spend all the cash you'll save on lots of caravan goodies!

(I've just read your awning post & if it were me I'd buy the 950cm, there's quite a lot of leeway on the awning "skirt" & it can be difficult getting it pegged down right if the awning is too big.) Ours is a 975 (rail measures 977) and to be honest it could do with being a bit smaller.

We owned  a bailey pageant burgundy had it  four years used for at least 120 nights a year and it only broke once (and that was the thetford toilet pump) the van was faultless yours will be the same

Unlike the swift we have now that broke first time out and its going back to the dealer thursday should have kept the bailey

thanks for replies. Esther, the Bordeaux just feels so right. Its the same feeling I've had when buying a house you just get the feeling (well I do!) and like you say I can happily spend the saving on a lovely Isabella awning although I refuse to pay the price for a brand new one!

Its reassuring also to hear how reliable your pageant was geoff+emmy. The van gets serviced before we pick it up and comes with a 12 month warranty. We decided in the end that if like caravanning and I know we will we'll keep the van until our youngest (12 going on 18) is old enough to be left at home which we anticipate will be about 5 years!  After 5 years of use whatever we get for it will be a bonus, Baileys always seem to be in demand even ones 12 years old which ours will be by then. We intend to look after the Bordeaux but wont have the worry I think I would have had with a new one if it got a scratch on or the kids spilt their drinks etc etc.

Hi Rhonda, so sorry you have been poorly I just thought that you were away for Easter.  I hope that you will be feeling back to normal soon xx

Congrats on the new van, when do you get it?? (off to check out the van now ).

we get it on the 17th May Fiona, just hope to be discharged by then so we can fit a quick weekend or overnighter in before we go to the IOW (where we will be in the tent for the final time) for Whitsun.

This is the van we've bought.

http://www.cotswoldedge.co.uk/browse?vid=164

 Bailey seem to have changed the design mid 2004 as when we came home and looked up the Bordeaux ours looked different to other 2004 ones. Ours was registered in August 2004 and has the loose fit carpets (would not have gone for it if carpets were fixed), no window by the sink in the bedroom area and is slightly longer at just over 7m.  The centre chest can be lifted out and replaced with cushions for wrap around seating (cushions with van) but we like the chest. The previous owner fitted that horrible microwave which they are removing at our request. I nearly didnt look at it when I saw it was a 2004 but the inside looks almost new if that makes sense. The carpet is still in its original wrapper too and the oven and grill havent been used!!!!

Hi Savanne! Hope you are better soon! Thought it was quiet, lol

Lovely van! We have just been for 3 nights tenting, Had forgot what hard work it is, don't think we will last long under canvas either

Quote: Originally posted by savanne1 on 02/5/2011

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Fiona, we're having a mover fitted too and OH booked on a towing course with CC in June.

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Ah you will love the ease of the mover - and the CC manoeuvring course is brilliant - I really enjoyed it but be warned he will come home and collapse into bed exhausted as its quite full on.  Funny, but I can reverse a caravan fine now, but still don't have much experience going forward!! 

Fiona, we have a 6am flight to Corfu the day after the CC towing course finishes! Its only a half day on the Sunday and the deal is I do all the packing and OH takes the four of us out for a meal early evening as kids being left with inlaws the week we are away and I hate cooking the night before we go on holiday as I'm usually stressed with huge piles of stuff to take all over the house lol.

Bob, its not the van of my dreams (it hasnt got a warm loo seat  ) but its the  sensible option and tbh I still cant quite believe I persuaded OH into buying a van. Really looking forward to picking it up and putting our bits and pieces in.

Home from hospital now, so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed for the 1st time in 3 weeks.