How.... how do you afford a van?

[Strettyp]

I saved for about three years and then after buying a van with a loan have spent the last 5 years doing a bit at a time to get it to where I want it to be - my #1 requirement was a good bed as I enjoy a good nights sleep so pretty much made one from scratch using my folded down bench seat and some 3x2 I go for £20, I've made mine a stealth camper so I rarely go on campsites

there's a lot of stuff that you can buy for your van that is really expensive and you might not use a lot - I don't want a permanent kitchen as it takes too much space, and I have a truckers friend if I'm caught short - long and short of it is get the van you can afford then add as you go

 

[gilesjuk]

How do you know if it's a bi turbo? I know to avoid them but if something is listed as a 2.0 tdi how would I know. Does it actually say it on the engine

They're the 204ps engines. You can tell which is the 150/204 if not specified on the listing by the gearbox. If it's 5 speed it's the 102, 6 speed or DSG it's the 150 or 204.

But if you have the vehicle registration, type it into Ebay in the motor section (add a new vehicle option) and it will look up the spec (then click cancel). e,g,

 

[Badjamin]

.

 

[Badjamin]

They're the 204ps engines. You can tell which is the 150/204 if not specified on the listing by the gearbox. If it's 5 speed it's the 102, 6 speed or DSG it's the 150 or 204.

But if you have the vehicle registration, type it into Ebay in the motor section (add a new vehicle option) and it will look up the spec (then click cancel). e,g,

View attachment 237545

Thanks for the infos. I'm guessing the DSG should be avoided after 80k on an unknown vehicle. I have been so tempted as I do like an automatic.

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[gilesjuk]

Thanks for the infos. I'm guessing the DSG should be avoided after 80k on an unknown vehicle. I have been so tempted as I do like an automatic.

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I've no experience of DSG, but I think the oil is changed every 40k or 4 years. It's not a traditional auto box, it's dual clutch. If you have a local independent VW specialist that is highly rated then that helps. You really don't want to be at the mercy of a VW dealership as they (going off comments on here) don't seem to have the capacity. In my case that was the deciding factor on getting a VW, I have had VWs in the past and had them repaired at Midland VW in Staffordshire.

 

[PeteJS]

I think the advice of not going into too much debt is very good and I think prices are dropping. If you wait 3 months then you will have £900 more to put down as a deposit and hopefully the price would be slightly less.
Have you thought about converting a smaller van like a Caddy. This will give you an idea what it is like to convert and use. You could then sell that and hopefully have an idea what works and does not work for you. I had a Caddy California as a loan vehicle for a few weeks and it is amazing what you can fit into a small space.
During COVID a friend converted a hi top long wheelbase Transit. The base van was a well used works van but was only £3k and he thought the conversion was around £10k albeit he did it all himself. He has a twin battery set up with Solar Charging, Shower, Toilet Double fold out Bed, Cooker and Sink. He had never done a conversion before but learned on the way and looked up YouTube videos and advice from forums.

 

[Badjamin]

@Bigsidavies @PeteJS

Good advice and info thanks.

Yeah am thinkin to go the frugal route, frugal compared to my original plan at least. There's no point me sacrificing non existant savings at the mo as her car looks like it needs a new clutch potentially and it's on PCP so there's a big question mark whether I will be replacing hers in the future or not... when did it all get so complicated!

Hoping to save a bit and get a small loan with low as possible interest and go for a startline with aircon and CC. Hopefully a 2.0 TDI with sub 100k mileage. This most likely limits me to a white van and black bumpers I'd imagine but I will be looking out for a compromise if a grey or black trendline or similar comes up during the big save.

I'm very confident I can do most of the conversion myself barring electrics and pop top (if I opt for Poptop). Will keep you all updated. Might start a different thread though hehe

 

[Bigsidavies]

@Bigsidavies @PeteJS

Good advice and info thanks.

Yeah am thinkin to go the frugal route, frugal compared to my original plan at least. There's no point me sacrificing non existant savings at the mo as her car looks like it needs a new clutch potentially and it's on PCP so there's a big question mark whether I will be replacing hers in the future or not... when did it all get so complicated!

Hoping to save a bit and get a small loan with low as possible interest and go for a startline with aircon and CC. Hopefully a 2.0 TDI with sub 100k mileage. This most likely limits me to a white van and black bumpers I'd imagine but I will be looking out for a compromise if a grey or black trendline or similar comes up during the big save.

I'm very confident I can do most of the conversion myself barring electrics and pop top (if I opt for Poptop). Will keep you all updated. Might start a different thread though hehe

I’m only in HD9 mate. If you get a van and want a bit of a hand then get in touch.
I’ve got a nibbler for cutting the windows out, and glass suction handle thingys, etc.
Might take the stress out of a few jobs if you’ve got someone who has done them before, although I’m far from an expert.
Also, I love our LWB, and don’t be put off by twin sliding doors. They’ve worked out really well for us.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Well that’s annoying.
I clicked edit to correct the word pea to pee and accidentally deleted my post.
Anyway, I’m not typing it again lol.
Instead you can have a pic of me drinking my brew with the tide in at the harbour.

 

[gilesjuk]

Well that’s annoying.
I clicked edit to correct the word pea to pee and accidentally deleted my post.
Anyway, I’m not typing it again lol.
Instead you can have a pic of me drinking my brew with the tide in at the harbour.

We just fancied a campervan and I wanted a project. I had £20k saved, but knew I’d be retiring soon so set my budget at £15k for a van with a bit leftover to get the ball rolling on the conversion.
Anyway, ended up spending £21k on the van and then I retired and did most i out f the conversion myself.
We opted for a u-shaped layout which allows us to sit around a table on sofa-style bench seats and eat while taking in the view.
We use it a lot, and we do park up overlooking amazing beaches or lakes or mountains and sit with the tailgate open having a brew and lunch.
So if you get 10 days off work in a chunk then it may be for you. We regularly just set off for Scotland.
We are currently on week 8 if a trip round the real Spain and Portugal and we have loved everyday.
Currently about to have a brew by the beach in Viana do Castilo in Portugal.
We obviously get more time due to being retired.
But it is a compromised lifestyle. You’re stuck in a small tin box with your wife. You pee in a porta potti in the same space that you sleep in. You gave little storage space and little standing and moving space. You get used to moving around together in a sort if choreographed fashion.
It’s not for everyone but we love it.

It emailed me all your message when you repied, so i've added the text (with corrected spelling) above.

 

[CJW]

I was in the same situation as you. I bought a £6k second hand Vivaro with 66k on the clock, did it up, figured out what tools and equipment I’d need, converted it, holidayed in it and sold it for a tidy profit. Through that process I learned what I’d do differently.

With the money from the sale of the Vivaro I bought a 2016 T6 with a relatively small bank loan, which is now paid off. I do as much work on the van myself as I can, minimising garage costs.

I love it and am totally obsessed with it - no looking back at all.

 

[bubbadubba]

Hi, only advice I would give is be careful what you wish for. I wouldn't rule out an older van with high mileage as long as its been looked after and maintained. No adblue either which is a bonus.
I sold my old work van, lwb 2012 T5.1 140 to a camper dealer for 7.5k as I needed it gone. It had 170k on the clock but never let me down. When i told people the milage on it most couldnt believe the condition it was in, it really wore the miles well. It was maintained better than it should have been if you go by the book. I was the second owner from new. I would of got into that van and driven it anywhere with confidence. Not so sure I would say that on my new one. So far it's looking like I should have kept the old one. Although my new t6 has a few nice extras, parking sensors, heated seats etc it has cost me more buy, own and run. Definitely more temperamental and drinks fuel like it's going out of fashion........reading that back it sounds negative but iys jusy my experience so far. I will add I do like my t6 but I don't think its worth getting massively into debt for.
As others have said you will get pretty much the same camping experience no matter what you are in. Probably more relaxed in a 10k van over a 25- 30k one.
Good luck with finding the right van for you.......Kev

 

[Salty Spuds]

I missed this bit - yeah, if the missus flat out won't use any public toilets, or squat in a bush for a pee, then I don't see how she'll cope with a couple of days on a campsite. A porta potty in the van isn't much better IMO, that's a last, last, LAST resort type thing!!

We have a Porta Potti, it’s never ever been used in the 7 years we’ve owned it. It more of a safety net than anything else. And that’s from a bloke with mild IBS.

 

[FerrisBFW]

I think the advice of not going into too much debt is very good and I think prices are dropping. If you wait 3 months then you will have £900 more to put down as a deposit and hopefully the price would be slightly less.
Have you thought about converting a smaller van like a Caddy. This will give you an idea what it is like to convert and use. You could then sell that and hopefully have an idea what works and does not work for you. I had a Caddy California as a loan vehicle for a few weeks and it is amazing what you can fit into a small space.
During COVID a friend converted a hi top long wheelbase Transit. The base van was a well used works van but was only £3k and he thought the conversion was around £10k albeit he did it all himself. He has a twin battery set up with Solar Charging, Shower, Toilet Double fold out Bed, Cooker and Sink. He had never done a conversion before but learned on the way and looked up YouTube videos and advice from forums.

I have been told a few horror stories by my friendly VW specialist about people spending every penny they have on a bling van and camper build only to ignore the running gear etc and find they have a bill for £15k and have no funds to do it. I personnaly think whatever age of van you buy, unless very new, buy it and go through it mechanically before you start on the flash wheels and interior. Understand your van and if a keeper before spending a whole bag of savings on interior camper gear

 

[DXX]

Once the train is in the tunnel it’s very hard to stop.

 

[gilesjuk]

It kinda helps to have a very cheap to run reliable vehicle so if the van is off the road you're not stranded.

 

[DXX]

I have been told a few horror stories by my friendly VW specialist about people spending every penny they have on a bling van and camper build only to ignore the running gear etc and find they have a bill for £15k and have no funds to do it. I personnaly think whatever age of van you buy, unless very new, buy it and go through it mechanically before you start on the flash wheels and interior. Understand your van and if a keeper before spending a whole bag of savings on interior camper gear

Exactly, plenty of lemons out there.

 

[FerrisBFW]

Hi, only advice I would give is be careful what you wish for. I wouldn't rule out an older van with high mileage as long as its been looked after and maintained. No adblue either which is a bonus.
I sold my old work van, lwb 2012 T5.1 140 to a camper dealer for 7.5k as I needed it gone. It had 170k on the clock but never let me down. When i told people the milage on it most couldnt believe the condition it was in, it really wore the miles well. It was maintained better than it should have been if you go by the book. I was the second owner from new. I would of got into that van and driven it anywhere with confidence. Not so sure I would say that on my new one. So far it's looking like I should have kept the old one. Although my new t6 has a few nice extras, parking sensors, heated seats etc it has cost me more buy, own and run. Definitely more temperamental and drinks fuel like it's going out of fashion........reading that back it sounds negative but iys jusy my experience so far. I will add I do like my t6 but I don't think its worth getting massively into debt for.
As others have said you will get pretty much the same camping experience no matter what you are in. Probably more relaxed in a 10k van over a 25- 30k one.
Good luck with finding the right van for you.......Kev

@bubbadubba I think you are spot on. Find a good one. My mate has two,his work van, and old 2.5 mechanically is amazing, 5000mile oil changes its entire life. Its super reliable,looks like sh1t mind

 

[DXX]

It kinda helps to have a very cheap to run reliable vehicle so if the van is off the road you're not stranded.

£200, 23 year old A4, never breaks down, minimal planned maintenance, simple and cheap to fix when needed.
Nobody will ever nick it and if they drive into it it will be hard to spot the damage as already smashed to f***

 

[dubber36]

Since reading this, I've been looking as Transporters out on the road. Even tho' I had a T6, I still think that the T5.1 is the better looking van. I'd be looking at those too.