Thinking about buying.

[Paul Sussex]

Hi

So much to consider.

I took the plunge last year (without hiring one) kind of spur of the moment thing, saw, decided I wanted one, so bought one,

I like the fact you are doing your homework. and thinking about what you need.

Replaced my big estate with SWB pop top fully converted and my daily driver.

Parking is fine, hight on barriers might be a problem for some but not had major issues can always find somewhere else to park and does not worry me.

Great for taking kids, grandkids and elderly mum out (even just for a few hours) as everything on hand no matter what eventuality - can just park up or jump in the van. Or need some space say I need to go out to the van and sort something

Mostly myself and youngest son stay away as wife says boys time (probably mum time too), in 12 months had loads of great memories. But have all stayed in it.

Poptop for me is a must so can stand up. May need to check weight capacity depending on who/how many in their.

I do not have isofix in the back so you need to think if that is important (pain getting grandkids seats in without).

Have a diesel heater which is great if gets colder - bug not a deal breaker for me.

Leisure battery and gas great for shorter stops or days out so can run fridge and have a brew.

I prefer the barn doors feel easier access to stuff and it does not all fall out (but know a lot like the tailgate).

Love the VW friendliness, waves and knowing I’m self contained if want to stop.

Noiser than a car (well mine is but half of that is the pots and pans banging around).

Does not like short journeys, otherwise keeps wanting to do regens.

Slower than my previous car (but mine is a 102 bhp) but never worried me as not in a hurry.

SWB can be cramped especially with bed out, but for me easier parking in car parks is worth it. Can always get a canopy or awning for longer stays.

Headlights rubbish (I had H4’s) so budget £600 - £800 for upgrade if comes with those).

RIB is quite a way back with the kids in the back so maybe a slider would be better,

Overall not regretted it, in fact love it.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Hi

So much to consider.

I took the plunge last year (without hiring one) kind of spur of the moment thing, saw, decided I wanted one, so bought one,

I like the fact you are doing your homework. and thinking about what you need.

Replaced my big estate with SWB pop top fully converted and my daily driver.

Parking is fine, hight on barriers might be a problem for some but not had major issues can always find somewhere else to park and does not worry me.

Great for taking kids, grandkids and elderly mum out (even just for a few hours) as everything on hand no matter what eventuality - can just park up or jump in the van. Or need some space say I need to go out to the van and sort something

Mostly myself and youngest son stay away as wife says boys time (probably mum time too), in 12 months had loads of great memories. But have all stayed in it.

Poptop for me is a must so can stand up. May need to check weight capacity depending on who/how many in their.

I do not have isofix in the back so you need to think if that is important (pain getting grandkids seats in without).

Have a diesel heater which is great if gets colder - bug not a deal breaker for me.

Leisure battery and gas great for shorter stops or days out so can run fridge and have a brew.

I prefer the barn doors feel easier access to stuff and it does not all fall out (but know a lot like the tailgate).

Love the VW friendliness, waves and knowing I’m self contained if want to stop.

Noiser than a car (well mine is but half of that is the pots and pans banging around).

Does not like short journeys, otherwise keeps wanting to do regens.

Slower than my previous car (but mine is a 102 bhp) but never worried me as not in a hurry.

SWB can be cramped especially with bed out, but for me easier parking in car parks is worth it. Can always get a canopy or awning for longer stays.

Headlights rubbish (I had H4’s) so budget £600 - £800 for upgrade if comes with those).

RIB is quite a way back with the kids in the back so maybe a slider would be better,

Overall not regretted it, in fact love it.

Forgot to ask have you been camping before?

Campsite regardless of tent, campervan, caravan or motorhome are some of the most friendly places (in my experience of 3 children) where you can relax, they play and make friends.

 

[Joneses2420]

Hi

So much to consider.

I took the plunge last year (without hiring one) kind of spur of the moment thing, saw, decided I wanted one, so bought one,

I like the fact you are doing your homework. and thinking about what you need.

Replaced my big estate with SWB pop top fully converted and my daily driver.

Parking is fine, hight on barriers might be a problem for some but not had major issues can always find somewhere else to park and does not worry me.

Great for taking kids, grandkids and elderly mum out (even just for a few hours) as everything on hand no matter what eventuality - can just park up or jump in the van. Or need some space say I need to go out to the van and sort something

Mostly myself and youngest son stay away as wife says boys time (probably mum time too), in 12 months had loads of great memories. But have all stayed in it.

Poptop for me is a must so can stand up. May need to check weight capacity depending on who/how many in their.

I do not have isofix in the back so you need to think if that is important (pain getting grandkids seats in without).

Have a diesel heater which is great if gets colder - bug not a deal breaker for me.

Leisure battery and gas great for shorter stops or days out so can run fridge and have a brew.

I prefer the barn doors feel easier access to stuff and it does not all fall out (but know a lot like the tailgate).

Love the VW friendliness, waves and knowing I’m self contained if want to stop.

Noiser than a car (well mine is but half of that is the pots and pans banging around).

Does not like short journeys, otherwise keeps wanting to do regens.

Slower than my previous car (but mine is a 102 bhp) but never worried me as not in a hurry.

SWB can be cramped especially with bed out, but for me easier parking in car parks is worth it. Can always get a canopy or awning for longer stays.

Headlights rubbish (I had H4’s) so budget £600 - £800 for upgrade if comes with those).

RIB is quite a way back with the kids in the back so maybe a slider would be better,

Overall not regretted it, in fact love it.

Thanks for the great message!

Yeah isofix's would definately be helpful.

Had wondered about the short journeys as my Audi and other diesel cars I've had in the past have all had those issues. The camper would mainly be split between weekend trips, european adventures and then the school run obviously being the most often.

Really want to go ahead and get one its just about finding one for the right price and also at the right time for us.

To me my reasonings are probably not thought out quite deeply enough...but with the help of chatgpt I've managed to 'man economics' my way in to thinking long term that it is a far better investment than spending maybe 10-13k less on another family car.

 

[TallPaul_S]

with the help of chatgpt I've managed to 'man economics' my way in to thinking long term that it is a far better investment than spending maybe 10-13k less on another family car.

If you take into account depreciation, money saved from accomodation, then it all adds up.

Just saving on hotel or Airbnb costs can be a couple of grand a year.

And that's not including the increased quality of life and experiences you'll have that you wouldn't have gotten with a normal car.

A good example is the 3 weeks in Europe I did last year. It cost me £1200 for everything. A 3 week trip without the van, I mean you're looking at £2000 just in accomodation costs. Realistically, it'd easily be well over £3k for that trip. And at that cost I wouldn't have gone on the trip.

 

[T6 Syd]

Ah, the DPF regeneration issues, plenty of discussion on this site about that.

In general terms a diesel van will want to regen at between every 100 to 200 miles, probably on the lower side with many short, cold runs. To regen, I find it needs to be warmed up sufficiently and then driven for 10 to 30 minutes. My work/personal use generally involves long enough journeys.

A petrol, TSI, van would be an option, but that narrows your search down massively.

 

[Joneses2420]

If you take into account depreciation, money saved from accomodation, then it all adds up.

Just saving on hotel or Airbnb costs can be a couple of grand a year.

And that's not including the increased quality of life and experiences you'll have that you wouldn't have gotten with a normal car.

A good example is the 3 weeks in Europe I did last year. It cost me £1200 for everything. A 3 week trip without the van, I mean you're looking at £2000 just in accomodation costs. Realistically, it'd easily be well over £3k for that trip. And at that cost I wouldn't have gone on the trip.

Yeah, it really is a great way to look at it.

I've been back and forth for a while because of the initial cost, but the memories etc we'd be able to create outweigh it anyways let alone the savings of accommodations etc.

You hit the nail on the head at the end too, the ability just to take those trips and make the memories instead of looking at the price and being put off is rather priceless!

 

[Joneses2420]

Ah, the DPF regeneration issues, plenty of discussion on this site about that.

In general terms a diesel van will want to regen at between every 100 to 200 miles, probably on the lower side with many short, cold runs. To regen, I find it needs to be warmed up sufficiently and then driven for 10 to 30 minutes. My work/personal use generally involves long enough journeys.

A petrol, TSI, van would be an option, but that narrows your search down massively.

Yeah, to clarify although I say I've experienced it in previous cars...The problems haven't been huge and like you say nothing that half hour of driving hasn't sorted out.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Yeah, it really is a great way to look at it.

I've been back and forth for a while because of the initial cost, but the memories etc we'd be able to create outweigh it anyways let alone the savings of accommodations etc.

You hit the nail on the head at the end too, the ability just to take those trips and make the memories instead of looking at the price and being put off is rather priceless!

Yeah and the freedom of course - a big part of why I got mine was when trying to find accommodation with secure bike storage, it was almost impossible sometimes. Now I can literally decide on a Friday lunchtime if I fancy going away for a weekend.

That trip I did was awesome, I'm probably going to go back to the Catalonia coast in June. Unfortunately a week down there doesn't make sense as it's £500 in fuel and ferry/tunnel crossing regardless of how long I'm there, accommodation and food costs are minimal - I spent £13 a night on accommodation and less than £5 a day on food.

 

[Joneses2420]

Auto Trader Vans - New and Used Vans For Sale

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Were not quite ready to start properly looking yet but this has caught my eye this week, so I thought id pop it in here and see if I was barking up the right tree or not and maybe try get some pointers on what to look for when buying off private listings.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Auto Trader Vans - New and Used Vans For Sale

Find your next van with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used vans. Over 30,000 vans online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Were not quite ready to start properly looking yet but this has caught my eye this week, so I thought id pop it in here and see if I was barking up the right tree or not and maybe try get some pointers on what to look for when buying off private listings.

I think that looks alright for the money to be honest!

 

[T6ChrisO]

MOT history looks alright too. Due in July this year though so maybe a bit of negotiation there. Ask about service history etc

 

[drinfinity]

1. It’s a Camperking conversion. Varying experiences with this on this forum (have a search on “camperking” here see what you think)
2. It’s 102PS, so arguably a bit underpowered
3. It’s too short ;->

 

[Phil1]

Looks nice and perfect length .

Mines a 150 and is plenty of power, although currently empty. 102 might struggle a bit?

It is the entry model (although a few nice upgrades), for that kind of money I’d personally be looking for heated windscreen which I believe the highline has? Though that’s just me being picky…mines a trendline without that or aircon, but that’s what my budget allowed.

 

[DaveD]

Auto Trader Vans - New and Used Vans For Sale

Find your next van with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used vans. Over 30,000 vans online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Were not quite ready to start properly looking yet but this has caught my eye this week, so I thought id pop it in here and see if I was barking up the right tree or not and maybe try get some pointers on what to look for when buying off private listings.

Have you driven a T6 before?
Power is subjective, you might want to drive a few and see if 102hp is enough for you - for many it's perfectly adequate, others want more.
I suppose it depends to some extent on your expectations.

 

[CAB]

Definitely hire/borrow /beg/steal one before you buy.

With young children, I would say try and get a seat on rails, so they can be up close to you on long journeys. Makes it more car-like for daily use.

Also makes more lugging room for your other business use.

Things like heaters can be added, but definitely recommended.

Darker colours on the pop-top to help them sleep during the shorter summer nights.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Definitely hire/borrow /beg/steal one before you buy.

With young children, I would say try and get a seat on rails, so they can be up close to you on long journeys. Makes it more car-like for daily use.

Also makes more lugging room for your other business use.

Things like heaters can be added, but definitely recommended.

Darker colours on the pop-top to help them sleep during the shorter summer nights.

Defo agree about seats sliding forward with little ones if on their own in the back. My elderly mum loves it in the back but her first ride comment was it’s line a helicopter back here!

Also with the seats in the back, at least witn mine one of the windows is obscured if you have a kitchen cupboard fit out and the seat is back.

The other thing is with rear chair / bed (I have a RIB) you are seated high so we have to take a foot rest thingy for my mum to put her feet on.

That said all the family love it, including my mum and my youngest likes the fact on the school run he is further away with his scroll pick up friends.

The other posstive thing I have found with van is more people let you out or give way than my car.

 

[Joneses2420]

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This one seems right up my street and ticks a lot of our boxes. Someone tell me why I’m wrong because we’re not quite in a place to buy atm and am worried it’ll be long gone by the time we are

 

[Sackmycook]

It's a Startline by the looks of it so won't have all the toys ?

 

[Frigo110]

150bhp with 5 speed manual?
I think the seller has quite a few vans for sale and you may not get the one in the add for 30K.

I had it a few times that I’ve been send a different van after I requested some details.

Enquired once for a van, sales price 26K. Been send a walk around video just to been told after travelling for quite a few miles that it was a mistake and the one in the video is 32K.

 

[Chippie1]

150bhp with 5 speed manual?
I think the seller has quite a few vans for sale and you may not get the one in the add for 30K.

I had it a few times that I’ve been send a different van after I requested some details.

Enquired once for a van, sales price 26K. Been send a walk around video just to been told after travelling for quite a few miles that it was a mistake and the one in the video is 32K.

States it’s had a remap so started life as a 102