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I have been looking at caravans for a month now and I have just bewildered myself with the options available!!

We like to rally and use CL's, as well as full facility sites - in about equal numbers.

Currently have a Conway Countryman Folding Camper, and have owned it since new in 1997 - this has served us brilliantly ..... but, alas, we are getting on now and want something, well, easier and more luxurious! We are a couple, who will be holidaying as a couple - without an awning.

We are limited to about 1300kg in weight, ideally around 1250kgs.

Now, having looked at new, old, fixed bed, end washroom, end kitchen, 2 berth, 4 berth with side dinette, we are drawn to a few options ..... and need experienced advice, so, here we go.

A new Lunar Stellar, 2012 model, with end kitchen and end shower - the space in the washroom is compromised, but you gain a seperated kitchen and a lightweight, short van ... it seems well built and is 7' 6" wide.

A new Lunar Lexon 420, end washroom (larger than the Stellar), wardrobe in the lounge area and kitchen along the offside.

A new Sterling Eccles Sport 442, conventional layout, longer than the above slightly ... seems not as well built as the Lunar's, 7' 1" wide and lacking Alarm, HD Steadies and other niceties.

The above are all the same price, essentially.

2nd hand Swift Charisma 230, 2011, £1500 cheaper than the above options .... nice walk-in shower.

These are the options we have narrowed it down to ... I know everyone will have their own opinions - can anyone see why one would be better than the others? Anything to avoid? Would the smaller washroom of the Stellar be a compromise too far? Would the wardrobe in the lounge Lexon be too overpowering? Would the Sterling's aparent 'cheaper' build be annoying over time? Would the Swift suffer from not being new for only a £1500 saving?

Like I said ................ HELP!

Thanks in anticipation of anything to make our minds up!! :-)

I don't know anything about the specific vans you have listed (except that I have a Swift, the quality of which I have been very happy with) but, as a general observation, if I was looking to use minimum facility sites, I would go for a good sized shower room.

With regard to buying a used van, if you buy new now you will still have a used van at the end of the season so that wouldn't worry me unduly as long as it was well looked after - although, if I was buying from a dealer, I might try and haggle the price down a bit!

I'm sure you will get lots of replies from owners of these models to help you decide.

Thanks to the above for your replies.

The Stellar has a better washroom than a wetroom - I wouldn't want a wetroom at all (which rules out a lot of lightweight fixed bed options).

On the question of paying a lot less secondhand .... I'm not sure that's quite true - the Swift Charisma 230 I mentioned above is just £1500 less than a new Lunar (the Swift hasn't been serviced on time so has lost its Warranty) .... yes, £1,500 is a decent amount of money ... but is the new worth 10% more?

Quote: Originally posted by MrRee on 19/4/2012

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A new Sterling Eccles Sport 442, conventional layout, longer than the above slightly ... seems not as well built as the Lunar's, 7' 1" wide and lacking Alarm, HD Steadies and other niceties.

The above are all the same price, essentially.

2nd hand Swift Charisma 230, 2011, £1500 cheaper than the above options .... nice walk-in shower.

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Firstly all Eccles Sport models are 7ft 5 wide ... I would love them to be 7ft1!  Would be great on my narrow drive! 

Track down a dealers special based on the Eccles Sport (we have one) and you will get HD steadies, an alarm and many other extras like pleated blinds, the marvellous front sunroof and an omnivent. The price tends to be very little higher than a standard Eccles Sport.  We have used our van for 19 nights since delivery and I can assure you the build quality is excellent.

Remember too the Eccles Sport will have ALKO ATC as standard.  I am now on my third ATC equipped van and wouldn't be without it.

You also mention the Charisma 230.  We had a 2010 Swift Jura which was a dealer special based on the 230.  We used it for over 100 nights in the 2 years that we had it.  It towed extremely well (ours did have ATC as an option), and it was completely reliable.

Having said all of the above I do like the Stellar, the layout of the 2012 model is great.

Hi Ian

Thanks for your post.

I did look at the Swift Challenger Sport 'Expression' brand new - it is the same as your Eccles (just with lighter worktops). It does also have the sunroof, the HD Steadies and those LOVELY pleated blinds, plus alarm and ALKO Secure Wheel Lock ...... it also has ATC (but, you need a constant 12volt supply from the towing vehicle for that to operate .... lots of people are still running with the 7 pin socket, well I am anyway).

I was offered this 'Expression' at £14,999 last weekend - but, add a mover and a Starter Pack and you are up to £16,300 or thereabouts. Which is significantly higher than the price for the van it is based on. Very nice they are though, I must admit!

Just to add my two penneth!

The Charisma 230 you mention - I wouldn't touch that particular one if they are only offering it at £1500 less than new and with no warranty.  In fact I think they've got a bliddy cheek!  If you like the van, shop around for that model elsewhere. We started out with this van (a 2005 model).  Buying second hand wouldn't bother me, many new vans seem to  have alot of niggles.   I do think it's important to take your time and get the layout right, it's a mistake many  of us have made!

Definitely check the warranty, also check when the van was actually registered. We fell foul of this, we bought a 2006 van (in 2008) and paid a 2006 price for it.  We later realised the van was actually registered in December 2005 - and that's the date the warranty runs from, so our warranty ran out a year (ish) earlier than we expected it to.  This may be blindingly obvious to many, but was a new one on us!

As a regular CL user, I too would go for a decent washroom if you can.  I would also go for as much space as you can if you have decided not to use an awning at all.  Having said that, I wouldn't rule out one of the new light weight porches, they are much easier to put up and handle than the full canvas type ones you are used to.

I would also bargain hard.  I'm guessing you won't  be part exchanging the TT, in which case you are a dealer's ideal customer.  Many dealers offer starter packs to new vanners, get as many extras as you can and bargain hard on price, do your research, and don't take the first offer.

Happy hunting!

Excellent posts above - thank you.

Does ANYONE know where this Lunar Stellar Special Edition may be? It's usually Dealer specific - anyone any idea which Dealer?

I am a first time buyer and know my strength in this - the deals I have negotiated include a Mover and comprehensive Stater Packs ...... I'm a Yorkshireman, I'll get blood out of a stone! Ha Ha!