New or Used

[JohnnyRoyal]

Hello.
We are still on our search for our first MH.
We are having a test drive of a new Swift 614 at Viscount Leisure Southampton. It ticks all the boxes. Lounge layout Drop down bed Kitchen layout Separate shower and a good size garage.
Then we went to Southdowns Motorhomes and had a good look around. We were shown some lovely brand new MH but out of our budget. We were then shown a Burstner 586 2015 reg. Which was very nice and in good condition. However it was more expensive. Also the kitchen did not have a full oven. The bathroom was a wet room and there was no garage. However came with a reversing camera and sat nav. It is also only 6 metres in length
I have noticed that the build quality of the Swift is not as good as the Burstner.
So where do we go? New or used, better layout or better build?
Any words of wisdom will be much appreciated.
Got some good advice from Mark McG who owns a Burstner
Merry Christmas to all
John

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny a lot of people buy their first van when they still have family commitments just like we had when we bought our first van a Dethleffs of about 8 years old. A first van is not always bought by a retired person who is lucky enough to have a good pension pot.
Iff we all bought new there would be no second hand value in our trade ins.

Not everyone retirees with a pot of money if I have to stop work we will have to stop motorhoming as it will be in affordable

I think you guys have misinterpreted my post.
What I was trying to say was that if you can afford it why not buy new ,a counter to all the negatives on here about you won't get the right layout first, you will loads of money if you buy new. It's just not true if you do your research before jumping in.

 

[minesapint]

Used every time.

Swift do some fabulous layouts.

Don't over estimate the "better build myths", a Friday German van is every bit as bad as a Friday Brit van.

I can only agree on that Swift have great layouts, but sadly attention to detail and material quality is missing. I have had three second hand German and brand new swift. I hate to say this but, I will stick to the German.

 

[Lenny HB]

To be fair Lenny you bought yours in Belgium and self imported them. Not everybody is willing or able to do that, especially with a first time buy. Yes you may find it easy, but others may well not, especially if they do not live as close to the ferries as you!

The main reason I bought in Belgium was that by doing it I could afford a new van, I wasn't in a position at the time to pay silly UK prices & it was our first Motorhome.
It really isn't much more difficult than buying in the UK.

 

[thebriars]

In response to the OP, frankly I'd do nothing! As a newbie don't be swayed by the first couple of vans you see, there are plenty out there new and used. Take your time look around, go to the various shows etc. Don't be swayed by the choruses of buy German, There are plenty of other continental makes out there just as good, though from horrible experiences with several makes of British caravans I'd avoid anything made in Britain.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JohnnyRoyal]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who have have taken time to comment and give advice ref my original post. I will digest all. We are still having our test drive on Saturday. That will also give us an idea of the size of a MH.
We are also going to two more dealers in Chichester and Bosham to view some more makes, Chausson, Sun Living and Sunlight plus others.
We have also decided that we would quite like a fixed bed at the beck, possibly two singles, which will make into a double or another type of fixed bed.
So thanks again.

sorry for the lack of comments but we have no internet at home until at least 6th Jan! ? got to use 4g which is more like 1g at home! ?

 

[Lenny HB]

We have also decided that we would quite like a fixed bed at the beck, possibly two singles, which will make into a double or another type of fixed bed.

Singles has the advantage of having a big garage, makes carrying bikes easy.

 

[ianthebuilder]

I think it would be smashing to be able to afford new,, and if I had the money, I would buy everything new! It just so happens I couldn’t/ can’t afford it !!

but given the budget and the choice I think we all would! Xxx

 

[PhilG]

look long and hard and be honest with what matters TO YOU...

we have a 2002 Euramobil A class, No TV, no air con, no levelling, no microwave, no solar, no bike rack, no comfortmatic gearbox, no LED 'mood lighting' . No cruise control.

We also have something that we are prepared to use and abuse (realatively speaking) that we can afford to use at every opportunity, that does everything one cost 3 times the money does.

I didnt buy it to impress anyone , its a tool to do a job.

Just because you can afford to buy it doesnt mean you should, and i guarantee you , more people buy the wrong MH first than right.

And dont buy new. It will be an expensive mistake.

 

[denisejoe]

Although we are now on our 3rd MH, each of the vans have been right for our circumstances at the time. We had our first van for 3 years, an A Class Hymer but Joe developed a bad back and had problems getting in and out of the bed so we changed to a Burstner with a French bed, which we kept for another 3 years. Our current van, a Euromobil A Class, we bought as we wanted to spend more time away for longer periods so wanted more storage so bought a van with a garage. All vans were bought 2nd hand - no way could we afford new.

We're still really happy with our current van and will keep it until we give up motor homing which we hope won't be for a very long time!

Denise

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PhilG]

Although we are now on our 3rd MH, each of the vans have been right for our circumstances at the time. We had our first van for 3 years, an A Class Hymer but Joe developed a bad back and had problems getting in and out of the bed so we changed to a Burstner with a French bed, which we kept for another 3 years. Our current van, a Euromobil A Class, we bought as we wanted to spend more time away for longer periods so wanted more storage so bought a van with a garage. All vans were bought 2nd hand - no way could we afford new.

We're still really happy with our current van and will keep it until we give up motor homing which we hope won't be for a very long time!

Denise

We have the 810 version of your MH, with the garage, having had the U Shaped lounge one with the cab 10 years earlier.. i looked long and hard for one , and ended up buying one that was the next reg No to the one we had before. Love the space and the storage.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

look long and hard and be honest with what matters TO YOU...

we have a 2002 Euramobil A class, No TV, no air con, no levelling, no microwave, no solar, no bike rack, no comfortmatic gearbox, no LED 'mood lighting' . No cruise control.

We also have something that we are prepared to use and abuse (realatively speaking) that we can afford to use at every opportunity, that does everything one cost 3 times the money does.

I didnt buy it to impress anyone , its a tool to do a job.

Just because you can afford to buy it doesnt mean you should, and i guarantee you , more people buy the wrong MH first than right.

And dont buy new. It will be an expensive mistake.

Weve done exactly the same game plan and use the van as much as is practically possible.
Days out, long weekends and occasionally longer.
Older 2nd hand van and our first motorhome of 3 years looking and saving.
Van is 18 years old but seriously in good nick and with regular maintainable We intend to use it to the max and not sit it on the drive to impress no one.
Very few mod cons, but then FAR less to go wrong or at least I can fix most without the need to be in the dealers regularly.
Loving our first van and in a few years I retire, and then we may look again,but for now we're just enjoying it and can afford it without and financial obligations.
Piece of mind and I sleep well too.
Don't rush.
A fool and there money is easily parted!
Merry Christmas?

 

[Christy]

How do you plan to use the MH? If you are still working then probably only weekends and a few slightly longer trips. Do you want to carry bikes? They are much safer in a garage, easier to load too. A 6m PVC does for us, great kitchen (with oven ) and very airy as there's nothing obstructing the side door. We've used it on trips up to about 12 weeks but it would be completely unsuitable for winter skiing trips as it isn't fully winterised.

We tend not to stay in the same place for too long, 3 days without moving is unusual for us. If you plan on wild camping a MH with big tanks and a garage for a spare cassette would be better than our incontinent PVC.

We bought it new but we've camped in tents and had a caravan so we know how to live in a small space and what fittings, fixtures and layout we needed.

It may not help you decide but you will be kicking yourselves if you buy something which turns out unsuitable because you hadn't thought out what you plan to do with the MH.

What is a 6m PVC please? I too am looking for my first MH but have had VW camper for 13 years so know a little about living in these things.

 

[denisejoe]

PVC is a Panel Van Conversion. There are lots of variations.

 

[DBK]

What is a 6m PVC please? I too am looking for my first MH but have had VW camper for 13 years so know a little about living in these things.

As denisejoe says, it's just a converted delivery van. The commonest length is 6m but you can get both shorter and longer.

I think the main difference between them and say a VW camper is most have a separate loo/shower room.

Many different layouts are available including ones with fixed beds. We like our Murvi because the side door is not obstructed, which let's the outside in but others will have different priorities.

Not the most attractive short below - us beside a dump point in France.