I've spotted a 'van that looks ok for it's age (1980) and at £495 is a bit of a bargain. So would anyone consider this a good idea for a starter 'van or are 'vans this age best avoided? It's advertised through a reputable dealer so I like to think that if it was likely to collapse at first use, they would have just scrapped it. My hubby isn't keen, so I need to make it as cheap as possible!
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
Just because it's a few years old, does'nt mean that it's not a good caravan! I am in the process of selling a caravan to buy one 15 years older!
Basically go and have a good look around it, take a damp meter with you (a few pounds off ebay) and check every nook and cranny with. Make sure all the electrics and gas appliances work (a dealer will have no problems showing you everything working) - don't be afraid to set up the bed/s and look in all the cupboards/loo etc. - lastly, have a quick look underneath to check for bad corrosion, - Also, for a 1980 caravan for £495 i would expect an old awning thrown in too!
If all seems well, then make the dealer an offer....remember, the price on the windscreen is the price they use as a guide, don't be scared to offer £400 or even less should you find damp etc!
Hello Angie. I think its a good idea to buy an old van as a starter. If you dont take to caravanning and you wish to sell: you will most likely get your money back. At the worst you will only lose £400. On the other hand, if you do like it...you can trade it in as a partex and probably get more than you paid for it.
We have always had a caravan and went when our three were babies. My son (married now with kids), bought caravan £3000, bigger car, awning etc. His wife didn't like it and they sold up after one trip and lost a packet.
My first caravan was a old caravan and we loved it...we brought a newer van last year & even though its the same length & birth has the old one there dosent seem to be has much space....Theres nothing wrong with having a older caravan so long has it has no damp...I still miss ours....Im sure yourll have many a good holiday in it
Thanks everyone. I do think that it looks good on their internet site, lots of closeup pictures which I don't think they'd do if there was something to hide. They are about 1.5 hrs away, but it could be worth the trip to see it in the flesh. They also have one 7 years younger at the same price, but my instinct tells me it's not as tidy a 'van, so would prefer to go for the older one.
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
our first van was an old monza , it didn't even have double glazing and had serious damp in one end which we didn't notice until after we bought it . we paid 200 pounds for it . my husband removed the end wall and rebuilt it then i made new covers for the upholstery . as my husbands a joiner he already had the wood needed and it cost me 15 pound for the material for the covers 10 pound for new curtains in all it cost about 50 pounds to do it up and it was lovely when it was done and we sold it for 350 pounds and the first buyer to see it bought it.
Thanks Dippy, sadly we lack the skills in correcting damp, but I'm a dab hand with the upholstery and looking at the photos (what the heck, here's the link, please no-one go and buy it until I see it! http://www.highbridgecaravans.com/usedcaravansdetails.php?SN=00011177) it seems to have had the upholstery replaced anyway.
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
Don't know much about caravans, except we want one
so can't really advise you other than to say it looks superb for the money.
didn't realise you could get something like this under £500.00 from a dealer as well!!!!!
Go for it, can't lose you and oh may fall in love with caravaning, but you won't know if you don't try
I agree with Wiz on that Angie. As previously suggested, give it a run over with a damp meter which you shouldn't have to buy just yet as I don't see any reason why the dealer shouldn't be prepared to use his one to demonstrate both the van and his integrity.
I'd give them a call to put a hold on it immediately.
hi Angie we bought our first caravan 2 years ago.We bought it privately and it was a potland super classic andit came with a full awning and only cost us £450 .We toured all over with it we have now upgraded to a newer caravan bu really loved our bargain 1st caravan
Yeh, if it is dry, tidy, has no horrible odours, and is sound, go for it. We had 1980 model. Was nice and simple. The Eldis we have now has everything going, but is heavier and the holidays are not necessarilybetter.
Right I am off to buy this one tomorrow £375 cash in hand.....no warranty but it is a bargain......only joking of course....but if I was in the market for a caravan I would snatch their hand off for this one.....meanwhile I will keep bongoing....good luck...Alan
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Topic: Starter van - would you buy this cheap?
