Looking at 2 caravans at the weekend. Both are more or less the same price. Assuming both are in similar condition, which is the better of a 2001 Coachman Pastiche or a 2002 Compass Magnum?
Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 06/5/2011
Looking at 2 caravans at the weekend. Both are more or less the same price. Assuming both are in similar condition, which is the better of a 2001 Coachman Pastiche or a 2002 Compass Magnum?
That's a difficult one. Compass comes from the Explorer stable, as does Elddis. Our last van was a 2001 Elddis, and our current one is a 2006 Coachman Pastiche. In both cases we have had minor incidents (all easily DIY resolved), and we got a very good trade-in deal for the Elddis because it was still in excellent condition.
Coachman also have a good name, and ours in still very good, but we have met at least one couple who from the start had problems with their Coachman and would never buy another one. We are now looking to change, and are looking at the Swift/Sterling range of vans. Her indoors is keen on the layout of these vans, but I am still hesitating because one of our friends had problems with his Swift and got rid of it at 12 months old.
I think the answer is, if a van chassis and body are still completely sound at 3+ years old, it is likely to be OK for a good few more years. The habitation equipment isn't so important because the same makes usually apply across most vans and, depending on amount of use, will always be a bit of a lottery as far as how long they carry on before needing repair/replacement.
We have a 2001 Coachman Amara which seems to have been made while Coachman was part of Explorer group if that is of interest to you. (Explorer is on the paperwork and on the plate by the door)
Its in very good condition for its age and we're pleased with it - its our first van so we have nothing to compare it with. We chose it because it was within budget, better spec and condition than the other vans we looked at. One of them might just feel right when you view, good luck.
Looking at the pictures of them. I prefer the Magnum interior, but the Coachman exterior. Not sure if there is a stabiliser on the coachman, but definately a winterhoff on the Magnum. Also Magnum sounds like Magners which is great in the sunshine!
Our last van was a Coachman & our current one is a Compass Magnum. The Magnum is lighter so a little easier on the pocket to tow over longer distances. Both are lovely vans & we wouldn't hesitate to recommend either of them.
Some of the design features are better for us in the Compass. Eg to access under the front bunks the slats had to be slid back on the Coachman & were forever coming out of their runners & really awkward to get back in whereas on the Compass it's like a lid that lifts up instead. And the fact that the 'wet locker' is actually the under bunk storage so is accessible from inside & outside.
In regard to interior v exterior appearance - which will you spend more time looking at? I know what I'd prefer...
The Compass from the Explorer group came just after the time the build quality of their vans made a noticeable improvement.
Had a 2003 Magnum 524 from new for 3 years or so, excellent van no problems.
The Magnums were dealer specials made for the Mendip caravan dealerships and ran for several years until taken over by the Discover group. Worst thing to happen to an excellent caravan dealership. The vans came quite highly specified with lots of goodies. The basic model was the Magnum and the top spec the Magnum Classic, for one year before the demise of Mendip they even had a range of motorhomes.
I was involved with the owners club that was formed in 2003 but was "wound down" a year or so after the demise of Mendip caravans. I believe they might still be going in a small way.
It seems the camera really does lie. The Compass Magnum actually had lots of minor nicks and digs that didn't show up in the photos, whereas the Coachman Pastiche photos didn't do it justice at all, coupled with the fact I got the Coachman for £500 less in the end, we went for that.
Other than that we had a nightmare of a day, with a 400 mile round trip taking us 19 hours after having two vehicles break down. As you may imagine, I am not looking forward to the journey back to pick the caravan up.
Well at least you've satisfied yourself over which was the better van for you but what a nightmare time with 2 breakdowns!
Why not book into a site local to where you're collecting the van & make a weekend of it when you go to collect? It'd be a lot less tiring & you'd get to try everything in the new van while you're still in the area. We did it in January & it was lovely to stay in our new 'baby' that 1st night.
I was thinking about doing that. It's currently stored on a site. Unfortunately, I have a few things that I need to swap over from my old caravan, not least the mover and stabiliser. I am hoping to get a couple of days off work to get them off the old caravan and fingers crossed pick the new one up early on Friday so I can be home before dark and have the weekend to put the bits on the new one. The main problem is that I cannot get it onto my drive without the mover due to there being just a few millimeters clearance either side and an odd angle to manoever around uphill.
This way it's only going to be on the road a maximum of two nights, otherwise it would be there for a week. The neighbours are pretty good and won't be a problem, but I don't feel happy with it on the road.
Though I won't rule out the possibility of spending the night in it outside the house
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs Anorak on 06/5/2011
Hi
We have a 2001 Coachman Amara which seems to have been made while Coachman was part of Explorer group if that is of interest to you. (Explorer is on the paperwork and on the plate by the door)
This is a surprise. I know that Compass was part of the Explorer Group. When we bought our 2001 Elddis, the Exploer Group brochures only included Elddis and Compass. Perhaps separation was in progress when the brochures were printed?
I have a 1999 Coachman Amara and on the ID plate it states 'Explorer Group' which I know that Coachman was once part of. They eventually detached from the Explorer Group and and became independent again and have spoken personally to Mr. Jim Hibbs (the director of Coachman) on several occasions about the history of the company. I can tell you first hand that the company are proud of the the build quality in the manufacture of their caravans and I have also been round the factory in Hull to see what is entailed in the construction of a caravan. I don't think you will regret owning a Coachman as this happens to be our second.
I see you are located in the Taffy region. As a matter of interest, The Coachman Owners Club are running a rally in a couple of weeks time at £4 per unit per night for a total of 17 nights in West Wales if you are interested. Now you own a Coachman you could join for the sum of £15 but it's a great getaway in the main two weeks for £4 a night. You could recouperate your membership fee just in the first two weeks alone.
I have been looking at the relevant websites, which give the following info:
Explorer Group was formed in 1998, bringing together Elddis, Buccaneer and Compass.
Coachman website says that it is now over 20 years since we designed and built the first ever coachman caravan.
I have not yet found any reference to Coachman being associated with the Explorer Group. It seems strange that any common history should be so shrouded, and makes me wonder if there was bad blood which might be considered adverse to the reputation of either company (all presumtive, of course).
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Topic: Which is the better buy?
