I love MHs but, the price!!

[Julie and Charles]

What a super weekend.
Loved meeting Terry L on the MHF stand. No we didn't buy it Terry.
Lots of beautiful MH in this show also, lots of Tat.
Had second viewings of a few vans, looked closely at the quality of the build. Rejected a few on this alone. Surely I'm not the only person that wants good quality in exchange for extortionate amounts of cash.
The pre loved at the show had never been loved, apart from, a very good Auto sleeper Topaz on the loudhams stand. Immaculate throughout, 3 years old but, 45k!!!!
How!!!!!!!
Until I saw the price I was wanting to buy it. My hubby said, guess the price. I said 35k. I woke to the familiar scent of smelling salts, these are a handy addition to our MH viewing days out.
Wow these things are so expensive, more than the price of our last house.
We had a great day, climbing in and out of everything, learning what we can get for our monet, in our case nothing! We will continue looking and saving, I hope we manage to get one in spring. I'm chomping at the bit to get touring.
Lovely to meet some of you.
Bye for now
Julie

 

[TheBig1]

many of the manufacturers use screens originally designed for coaches and hgv's. the cost of making the moulds and tooling is absolutely huge. especially considering the low numbers of a class vans built each year. making one off screens is massively expensive

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Wow £6500, thought max were about 4k. Doesn't it just annoy you that somewhere, someone in the chain is making a bleeding fortune, seriously I wonder what the price is for the windscreen from the maker of it?
They must be sick, we make and supply a windscreen for a few hundred quid and it sells further down the line for £6500.

Screens for American RVs can be considerably more than that especially when they need to be imported.

 

[CazPaul]

Screens for American RVs can be considerably more than that especially when they need to be imported.

Good god, it just gets worse.

 

[Julie and Charles]

One other important factor that I don't think has been mentioned is the engine & it's euro emissions rating, given that most Moho's are diesel powered & with the current witch hunt against diesels, currently including token critair charges for some French cities & the l.e.z. in London etc, I can foresee that in the not too distant future probably euro 1,2,&3 & possibly even euro 4 rated vehicles being, in the worst case scenario, increasingly banned from many places in Europe & the U.K.

As far as I'm aware euro 4 became operational in 2005/6 & obviously euro 3 & less prior to that.

Quite aside from the excessive pollution these older diesels emit, I'd not be keen on buying an older diesel & finding out that I can't drive it where I want to, or being charged an ever increasing surcharge for doing so.

Aarrgghhhhh
Diesel debate, never even thought about that (until now) why does anyone even think of buying a MH
It's a good point raised though, Diesel witch hunts will eventually result in a pounding to our pockets.
I have read a lot on polluted planet about banking diesel vehicles from lots of uk cities.
Must pay more attention to this news.

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[Deleted member 29692]

Good god, it just gets worse.

It really doesn't. It makes no difference whatsoever.

As long as you arrange your insurance properly a £10k RV screen is no different to a screen for a Peugeot 107

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Aarrgghhhhh
Diesel debate, never even thought about that (until now) why does anyone even think of buying a MH
It's a good point raised though, Diesel witch hunts will eventually result in a pounding to our pockets.
I have read a lot on polluted planet about banking diesel vehicles from lots of uk cities.
Must pay more attention to this news.

In short I'm suggesting that future proofing, emissions wise, as much as is possible, is probably a wise move & that means buying newer rather than older, especially if you intend to keep the Moho for a while.

 

[CazPaul]

It really doesn't. It makes no difference whatsoever.

As long as you arrange your insurance properly a £10k RV screen is no different to a screen for a Peugeot 107

I am talking about being caught up the great rip off surrounding the whole process. Someone, somewhere is getting very, very rich. I just can't work out who in the chain it is.

 

[funflair]

How much was your insurance if you don't mind me asking?

Between £300 and £400 but that includes recovery (not enough to remember).

Martin

 

[Chris]

We had a new screen for our first van. Luckily it was covered by insurance as it was flown in from Munich or somewhere like that. I would like to say I had checked the insurance position in advance of the problem but I hadn't . In fact I hadn't even thought about windscreen cover.

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[funflair]

I am talking about being caught up the great rip off surrounding the whole process. Someone, somewhere is getting very, very rich. I just can't work out who in the chain it is.

I am sure the insurance companies could put a stop to the profiteering if they wanted to.

Martin

 

[CazPaul]

I am sure the insurance companies could put a stop to the profiteering if they wanted to.

Martin

But why do they not want to, is it because in the grand scheme of things it doesn't amount to much of their business? Pro rata there are not that many claims so they put up with it?

They certainly would if it cost that much for a car windscreen.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

How much was your insurance if you don't mind me asking?

Between £300 and £400 but that includes recovery (not enough to remember).

Martin

Mine's similar. £240 for the insurance plus another £60 for EU breakdown recovery.

We don't need quite as much windscreen cover though, £3500 from memory. The van is a 2014 Rapido.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Between £300 and £400 but that includes recovery (not enough to remember).

Martin

Not too bad then really, they're probably sticking 50 quid on it for the screen. If you claim on it though, even with protected no claims, they will just put the policy up next year... Been there got the T shirt.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I am sure the insurance companies could put a stop to the profiteering if they wanted to.

Martin

But why do they not want to, is it because in the grand scheme of things it doesn't amount to much of their business? Pro rata there are not that claims so they put up with it?

They certainly would if it cost that much for a car windscreen.

They wouldn't if a car windscreen was similar. How much do you think one is for something like a Range Rover?

It's a matter of convenience. You as the customer want it sorted yesterday, they need to ring one number (i.e. Autoglass) or send one email, pass the job on and forget about it. Spending 3 days chasing around trying to get local quotes would be far more trouble than it's worth to them in terms of the amount saved.

The companies they use know this and so don't need to be shy with their pricing.

You get your windscreen fixed for a £75 excess or whatever and it doesn't affect your insurance, the insurance company get the job off their books with a minimum of fuss, the glass company make a few quid. Everyone's happy

Any industry or field where a national company uses another national company to provide a service is the same. They could always save money if they wasted time faffing around finding a local company for each job. It's more trouble than it's worth so they don't bother.

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[funflair]

Not too bad then really, they're probably sticking 50 quid on it for the screen. If you claim on it though, even with protected no claims, they will just put the policy up next year... Been there got the T shirt.

The claim was about 5 years ago and no effect on premiums.

Martin

 

[gus-lopez]

& there's not many, if any Moho's under 2.5t G.V.W.

Apart from the 4 berth I own I can find you a few dozen without trying too hard here.

It is actually harder to find vehicles built on a 3,5T gvw here as vast amounts are on 3,1t; 3,2T, 3,3T or 3,4T or that is what is on the plates of the same spec vehicle that in the UK would be 3,5T or more.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

The claim was about 5 years ago and no effect on premiums.

Martin

I've made several windscreen claims for various vehicles and its never made a difference.

If you ask why your renewal premium is £50 more they might blame the windscreen claim but if you hadn't made the claim it would still have been £50 more and they would have made up another excuse.

 

[jongood]

I've had 2 n&b screens in 11 years. No problems or dramas, both times the vehicle was totally usable, paid the small excesses, my premium last year £250ish.

I don't think emmisions class will be a big problem unless you happen to live in an affected city.

 

[jongood]

PS

Major thread diversion alert.
Jon

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[Northernraider]

So to sum up for the OP

Don't be pushed in to buying a newer vehicle, just as good older vans out there.
Don't be put of an A class, windscreen replacement isn't a problem
Don't think older diesels will be banned next week, it's a long way (if ever) off
An older better quality van is probably a wiser investment than a newer lower quality van.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, whiping it of,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more
than it's worth.



Oh


And wear sunscreen

 

[Langtoftlad]

An A Class or even a Coachbuilt is unlikely to meet the OP's requirement of being a "Daily Car" as well.
Hence looking at the AutoSleeper Topaz

PVC's tend to be more 'expensive' comparatively [mainly allegedly because of build methods]

Although raising the money might be an issue - try to focus on the overall cost, not just the purchase price. Depreciation tends to be a lot less on motorhomes compared to cars.

If you're experienced & enjoy 'camping' - consider the half way upgrade from tent to campervan rather than a full motorhome.
Will have the extra advantage of being more 'car' like

It seems most people don't stick with their first purchase for long, as it's only when in real use that you can find out what layout etc really suits you...
...so my advice is to buy cheap'n'cheerful first with the expectation of changing it within 12-18 months when you actually know what you need.

It's what I did & this year I got a brand new PVC which I love & will do me for the forseeable.

Notwithstanding the above - If you're Lincolnshire based - have you been to:
http://www.wellsbridgemotorhomes.co...field_vehicle_price_value_1&items_per_page=20

They have a few bargain "car replacement" campers that might be of interest... such as 2008 Doblo for £11k

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Be aware of the oft quoted low depreciation generalisation, there's currently a lovely 2016 Moho on here, with very low mileage, in as new condition, being offered for £10k less than the purchase price of £55k - nearly 19% depreciation in one year.

One other, amongst a few, that springs to mind was a stunning 2 year old A class being offered for £40k less than the purchase price of £120k - 33.33% depreciation in 2 years.

 

[gus-lopez]

Be aware of the oft quoted low depreciation generalisation,.

One other, amongst a few, that springs to mind was a stunning 2 year old A class being offered for £40k less than the purchase price of £120k - 33.33% depreciation in 2 years.

Yes but that wasn't the purchase price as it had 20k's worth of extras fitted afterwards & which many people wouldn't have bothered with.

 

[EuroTrotters]

My recommendation would be to buy a well cared for older German van. We have had our Hymer for 10 years now and it is still in good condition. Admittedly it was just 4 years old when we bought it so an equivalent today would still be rather more than you want to pay. However, there are loads of 10-15 year-old Hymers about if you take your time and choose carefully. They will give many more years of excellent service - just note the number of early 'brown and tan' Hymers still running the roads of Europe and they were built in the 80s and early 90s.
Other makes to consider are Euramobil, Knaus, Weinsberg, Frankia, Dethleffs and Burstner, but my money would be on a Hymer.

We have only ever had German motorhomes:

Mercedes:

Eura Mobil 2001
Frankia 2009
La Strada 2013

Fiat:
Hymer 2001

The Hymer has been the best of the lot.

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[MC 55 FUN]

Yes but that wasn't the purchase price as it had 20k's worth of extras fitted afterwards & which many people wouldn't have bothered with.

& no doubt had those extras been fitted at time of purchase the cost of the Moho would have been £120k, it's still £120k spent & £80k recouped, whichever way one chooses to word the facts.

 

[funflair]

Be aware of the oft quoted low depreciation generalisation, there's currently a lovely 2016 Moho on here, with very low mileage, in as new condition, being offered for £10k less than the purchase price of £55k - nearly 19% depreciation in one year.

One other, amongst a few, that springs to mind was a stunning 2 year old A class being offered for £40k less than the purchase price of £120k - 33.33% depreciation in 2 years.

I have seen quoted a few times knock 20% off in the first year and then 5% per year after that, it seems to work OK from the few examples I have tested it on, it also tells you that there are savings to be had at a few years old.

For example our van at 6 years old had lost a tad under £50k, we have had it another 6 and it might cost us £10k if we were to sell, but we are not

Martin

 

[MC 55 FUN]

I have seen quoted a few times knock 20% off in the first year and then 5% per year after that, it seems to work OK from the few examples I have tested it on, it also tells you that there are savings to be had at a few years old.

For example our van at 6 years old had lost a tad under £50k, we have had it another 6 and it might cost us £10k if we were to sell, but we are not

Martin

A 20% reduction in value in the first year sort of makes sense to me, after all V.A.T. is 20% on a new vehicle, so for example a £48k purchase price includes £8k V.A.T. - making the vehicle actually worth £40k + V.A.T. - one reason why we never buy new cars or Moho's, but will eagerly purchase '' as new '' or nearly new at much reduced cost over new

 

[Lenny HB]

A 20% reduction in value in the first year sort of makes sense to me, after all V.A.T. is 20% on a new vehicle, so for example a £48k purchase price includes £8k V.A.T. - making the vehicle actually worth £40k + V.A.T. - one reason why we never buy new cars or Moho's, but will eagerly purchase '' as new '' or nearly new at much reduced cost over new

Vat has nothing to do with it, it is sold at a price and after a year it is worth x. We have never lost more than 5% a year on a van and have only bought new vans.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Vat has nothing to do with it, it is sold at a price and after a year it is worth x. We have never lost more than 5% a year on a van and have only bought new vans.

I disagree.

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[Julie and Charles]

So to sum up for the OP

Don't be pushed in to buying a newer vehicle, just as good older vans out there.
Don't be put of an A class, windscreen replacement isn't a problem
Don't think older diesels will be banned next week, it's a long way (if ever) off
An older better quality van is probably a wiser investment than a newer lower quality van.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, whiping it of,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more
than it's worth.



Oh


And wear sunscreen

Why didn't everyone just say all this in the first place