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We had a high spec Abbey Safari 2003 and swapped it after 8 weeks for a 2009 Lunar Zenith.

I would suggest you go and look at each one of them many times and see which layout is the best for you.

Our Lunar has more space but is lighter to tow and without the many optional extras that you can get, there is less to go wrong.

We have a 2006 Lunar Zenith and are very pleased with it

Ours was in very good condition when we bought it two seasons ago, it was obvious that it hadnt been used much by its previous owners. Its also one of the Belgian built Lunar Zeniths, with the green, gold, and cream upholstry, Later that year the Zeniths underwent a total revamp of design, but to me they then became too 'minimalist' in style and i much rather would have the one we have got. 

I think you really need to see both caravans in 'the flesh' before you decide, in any situation its possible that the newer one may have been wrecked whilst the older van may have received loving care, but if both those factors are equil in both vans being in excellent condition then i would go for the newer lighter Zenith.

Julia    

Thanks everyone.  I really like the look of both vans.  I don't think the Lunar has been badly treated - it's only the mattress from the bunk missing (lost) & a crack in the top of the casing on the fire - looks as tho maybe someone's fallen onto it at some point.  Doesn't affect the function, just cosmetic damage.

I think you're right - we need to look at both but we're not going to see the Sterling until ours is sold (if it's still available then) as it's a private seller & not fair to take up their weekend time when we can't actually buy yet.  We're going to see the Lunar this weekend tho - it's a private sale but a dealer selling on behalf of his customer so it'd be no inconvenience to the owner if we go to look.  If it doesn't 'feel' right we'll forget it altho we know it's serviced & has been damp tested.

Go and find a Sterling the same at a dealer and get a feel for it, thats what we did. We found a Zenith close to home and liked it so travelled over 200 miles to get the one we wanted as it was a much better deal.

If its at a dealer you wont feel like your messing people about.

Hi Adsheadv, we'v also got the Zenith 6, its been great, we've owned since Christmas.  The side sitting area is comfortable, I can see the points made about no rear seating area, but the side seating is comfy, though it does face into the awning.

Our last van was the Bailey Auvergne which had the rear seating area which transferred into a small double with a single bunk.  It was pretty good, but to be honest we eventually ended up leaving the bunks up most of the time becuase it was a pallava putting up and taking down all the time, so we started looking for that fixed bunk set up with side seating.

The six has additinal roof lights, which keeps it really light at the back when compared with other vans with this shape like the Bailey Bretagne etc.  The light decor and care to put less visible blocks between the front and rear also makes it one of the most spacious feeling vans with it's shape your likely to tome accross.  We looked at most of them.

However, go carefull with the year, according to the dealers and others I've chatted to, there was a point in time when manufacturing quality, and from memory I think location, ownership changed.  It was at this point or shofrtly afterwards I am advised that build quality improved again.  That being said, I've not read of a problem with any lunar Z6 of any age to date.  Certainly ours is s dry as a bone, build quality really good etc.  And you can find these kinds of storeys about every manufacturer out there if you look for them.

On the back of the vehicle it's the best towing van I've ever pulled, it's like an extension of the vehicle its so stable.  After getting used to the lay out, I can say I wouldn't change a thing, all cabinets are really easy to open and get into which makes life easier.  Kids love the fixed bunks which are the full width of the van, so you can box their toys at that end, so no clutter everywhere.  Loo is small, but all we need and we leave the side seating area free so if one of us gets up in the morning first, we can put a cuppa on and read a paper without waking the whole van up.

They're really nice vans, what is the price you looking to pay for it if you dont mind me asking?

Tony

It is hard to settle on a layout and my only advice would be to think ahead!  Those single/bunk beds are very quickly outgrown, not just in length, but in width. The side dinette bed in our Challenger was narrower than say a front single would be, because of the framework for the upper bunk (which we didn't use).  

We have this layout (in a Charisma) and we got round the problem by removing the framework for the top bunk, which we knew we would never use.  This made the lower bunk the same width as the front singles and also took some weight out of the van. We have kept the framework so it can be replaced when we sell the van. Nice to have the extra space in the day, also this layout means a larger kitchen area and full size end bathroom.  This  works well for us for the time being, although as you say, the needs of a family change with time.

Agreed with Annie, though the Zenith 6 has full width bunks with are reasonable width at the back so could take 6ft plus, without checking the top one takes up to 11 stone, the one underneath probably doesn't have such a limit.

Our little darlings are 7 and 9, so we've got quite a few years left before the kids grow to big for these.

A lot of the fixed rear bunks have storage next to the bunks which takes about a foot off of the lenght which will reduce your growing space somewhat.

Must admit though, the mattresses on every van I looked at with this type of lay out are a bit on the thin side.  We're thinking about getting some toppers to bolster them up a bit.

You could always stop feeding the kids, Lol, increase the time before you will have to replace the van and reduce the shopping bill.

Tony B

Thanks for that.  We were all set to go see the Lunar this morning but when we phoned (it was 60 miles away) it had been sold yesterday so obviously not the van for us. 

We then saw a 'nice' Ace Jubilee Viceroy advertised by a dealer & when I phoned him offered me a brilliant price for our Compass that was on a par with what we expect to get privately.  So off we went - 80 miles.  When we got there the Ace was very shabby & very, very orange inside - not at all like the 'library' photos on the advert. 

Ah well.  Back to the drawing board.  I think I'd really like a Sterling with a blue interior or the Eccles Amethyst tho we haven't viewed that yet.  Just the small matter of shifting our Compass 1st - 12 people watching it on ebay but no enquiries.  I've put it through to go on Caravanfinder tonight so we'll see if that helps...