Where to begin? Complete novice...all advice and suggestions welcome

[VeeDubbrs]

They are out there if you can beat the conversion companies to them

That's the issue: if your bucket list is long and something approaching the ideal comes along at a good price, it's tempting to grab it before it's gone. I got one that way and very happy with it ... only downside that is a pain in the *** is that it's dual seat and we prefer the single for all the usual reasons. That said, it's maybe like other things in life - the more pain along the way, the more you end up loving it

 

[Kind of Blue]

Hello everyone,

Apologies in advance for my lack of knowledge...after many years of admiring my husband and I have finally decided to jump in and buy a T6. We are hunting at the moment, as I have wanted one for so long my list of must-haves is quite long.

The plan at the moment is to sell my car (standard SUV) and buy Kombi to use as our family car, we are 2 adults, toddler and 2 spaniels.

I am not going to be able to afford to buy and do lots of fancy conversions straight away. What I have in my mind is to buy the van and use pretty much as is over the winter and do minor adjustments so we can use it as sleeper next spring/summer. Gradually developing it, so initial changes would have to have the end result in mind.

What I'd like buy (I think!!)-

T6 Kombi 2.0L Diesel, at least 150ps
67 plate or newer
Reasonable milage
Isofix
Ideally Blackberry or Starlight Blue
Captain seats
LED lights (read this on another newbie thread as a must?)

So questions.... any opinions, suggestions, links to sites/threads, or photos greatly appreciated

1. Am I missing anything off my must-haves?
2. Should I omit anything?
3. Manual or auto (I have only ever driven a manual)?
4. Where to buy?
5. Anything to avoid/warnings?
6. Are there any events still running that we can look at vans?
7. Inspiration for vans that are used as family cars Mon-Fri and campers at the weekend?
8. Is there such thing as seats that move from normal position to back of van to use as bed?
9. Inspiration for vans with toddlers or dogs in mind?
10. Anything else I have missed

Thanks again, really looking forward to being pointed in the right direction!

Dogs, Children and camping, I think that you aught to perhaps consider a lighter colour unless your doing this sort of thing much later in the year. Any dark colour and especially black just soaks up the heat which is very noticeable when standing. Not so bad when driving.

Just to confirm your observations. You would be well served if you bout a vehicle with led Head Lights or an older T5 with HID. The standard halogen lights are just pitiful, no matter what you do with them short of expensive illegal retrofits.

The auto in these are very good and one can select, sport, drive and manual change. The only thing I dislike about the auto is poor retardation when over running even after changing down. Therefore brakes will take a hammering on steep down gradients. If you can have flappy paddles it helps a with preselection of gears for bends and hills but the manual mode will do anyway.

Consider if you want 4Motion, I wouold not have one without. However that is for my own personal circumstances. Good hunting for a suitable vehicle!

 

[Scuba Moir]

Hello everyone,

Apologies in advance for my lack of knowledge...after many years of admiring my husband and I have finally decided to jump in and buy a T6. We are hunting at the moment, as I have wanted one for so long my list of must-haves is quite long.

The plan at the moment is to sell my car (standard SUV) and buy Kombi to use as our family car, we are 2 adults, toddler and 2 spaniels.

I am not going to be able to afford to buy and do lots of fancy conversions straight away. What I have in my mind is to buy the van and use pretty much as is over the winter and do minor adjustments so we can use it as sleeper next spring/summer. Gradually developing it, so initial changes would have to have the end result in mind.

What I'd like buy (I think!!)-

T6 Kombi 2.0L Diesel, at least 150ps
67 plate or newer
Reasonable milage
Isofix
Ideally Blackberry or Starlight Blue
Captain seats
LED lights (read this on another newbie thread as a must?)

So questions.... any opinions, suggestions, links to sites/threads, or photos greatly appreciated

1. Am I missing anything off my must-haves?
2. Should I omit anything?
3. Manual or auto (I have only ever driven a manual)?
4. Where to buy?
5. Anything to avoid/warnings?
6. Are there any events still running that we can look at vans?
7. Inspiration for vans that are used as family cars Mon-Fri and campers at the weekend?
8. Is there such thing as seats that move from normal position to back of van to use as bed?
9. Inspiration for vans with toddlers or dogs in mind?
10. Anything else I have missed

Thanks again, really looking forward to being pointed in the right direction!

Every place I've been to says if you can manage the extra 400mm go for it, I've ordered one, if you have dogs and kids then you will thank me later. Dsg is for me a must, almost like hands free, rails also to move seats/ bed up and down to use van as well. Dont forget them swivelling front seats. Just waiting for mine to come.

 

[Tomzo]

Every place I've been to says if you can manage the extra 400mm go for it, I've ordered one, if you have dogs and kids then you will thank me later. Dsg is for me a must, almost like hands free, rails also to move seats/ bed up and down to use van as well. Dont forget them swivelling front seats. Just waiting for mine to come.

When you say manage the extra 400mm are you referring to opting for LWB over SWB ? Er don’t need to answer that I've just looked it up and it is 400mm. When you say manage are you refering to driving day to day a vehicle thats 400mm longer ?

 

[DaveD]

Every place I've been to says if you can manage the extra 400mm go for it, I've ordered one, if you have dogs and kids then you will thank me later.

The Op says they will sell their car, this will be their only vehicle.
Yes, if I wanted a camper I'd want LWB.
But as an everyday vehicle? No way.

 

[JOG]

The Op says they will sell their car, this will be their only vehicle.
Yes, if I wanted a camper I'd want LWB.
But as an everyday vehicle? No way.

I agree. I have a Beach as an everyday car. Basically a van with a pop top and rear bench that converts to a bed too for occasional nights. Otherwise it is handling kids, dogs and train station car parks! A LWB would be overkill unless I wanted a fully converted camper!

 

[Scuba Moir]

When you say manage the extra 400mm are you referring to opting for LWB over SWB ? Er don’t need to answer that I've just looked it up and it is 400mm. When you say manage are you refering to driving day to day a vehicle thats 400mm longer ?

Yes you got it, mines being built this week, been told. Getting a kitchen, its a extra cupboard, got a dog, more room, raining outside, not so cramped. Lol,

 

[Bigsidavies]

The Op says they will sell their car, this will be their only vehicle.
Yes, if I wanted a camper I'd want LWB.
But as an everyday vehicle? No way.

I’ve got a LWB converted as a camper. It’s our second vehicle, bus as her indoors uses the car and I don’t work it’s my daily driver and I never have any problems. I’d say the reverse camera is essential though.
Plus, if the car is home I still go out in the van coz I love it.

 

[Scuba Moir]

My car shortly going is bmw x6, and the lwb is slightly longer, this is being converted to campervan, and will be my daily commute as well, having rails to slide bed all the way to front to use as a van too. Have sat them side my side in a carpark, not much init, yes will have camera's all round just like the x6. Just the wait is killing me.