Old(er) or New(ish) Van…..which is better value for money ?

[Stealaway]

All of which take them over 3.5T anyway so futile.

They are desperately trying to keep them below 3.5 tonnes with sensible pay load so they have the largest market.

 

[funflair]

There isn't a one size fit's all answer to this, older vans can be good value but you might have more maintenance and replacements to keep on top of. newer vans are, well newer quite possobly a bit more tech on them and possibly a bit more to go wrong potentially but it's still nice to have a new/newish van, we have had both and each has it's pro's and con's.

 

[Swifter]

They are desperately trying to keep them below 3.5 tonnes with sensible pay load so they have the largest market.

It’s a scandal really . Some of the 6 berth vans on a 3.5t build are basically not fit for purpose.

 

[funflair]

deleted

 

[Northernraider]

Don't think I'd ever buy a new van , all I see is horror stories and cheaper builds.

The older ones were far better built , if you have a good one then keep hold of it.

I'm selling mine after this current trip and going older.

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[the1andonly]

There isn't a one size fit's all answer to this, older vans can be good value but you might have more maintenance and replacements to keep on top of. newer vans are, well newer quite possobly a bit more tech on them and possibly a bit more to go wrong potentially but it's still nice to have a new/newish van, we have had both and each has it's pro's and con's.

Agree entirely i jumped from one 21years old (had 8 yr) to a new one only 16 years to its 21st. No need for a new one every 5 years if it fits your needs. If you needs change (like cant get into bed) then thats time to change.

 

[Swifter]

Don't think I'd ever buy a new van , all I see is horror stories and cheaper builds.

The older ones were far better built , if you have a good one then keep hold of it.

I'm selling mine after this current trip and going older.

I thought your current van was perfect , I know you had a few issues but it’s a brilliant size for you and the doggies . I will be interested to see your next purchase

 

[Minxy]

I thought your current van was perfect , I know you had a few issues but it’s a brilliant size for you and the doggies . I will be interested to see your next purchase

I think he's doing the Merc ...

Tam, if you sell your current MH where will you stay whilst you convert the other one, or will you wait until it's done first?

 

[Northernraider]

I thought your current van was perfect , I know you had a few issues but it’s a brilliant size for you and the doggies . I will be interested to see your next purchase

It's perfect for living in but not for my type of touring , it's quite restrictive and cumbersome.....which in truth I expected it to be when I bought it.

 

[Northernraider]

I think he's doing the Merc ...

Tam, if you sell your current MH where will you stay whilst you convert the other one, or will you wait until it's done first?

Yes either building the merc or I'll be buying an older classic style hymer or similar preferably on a merc chassis and modifying that....but the merc i have now is the first option if I get all the stuff sorted with dvla etc. It's also now due an mot.

I'll do the same as last time , sell the mh ASAP and buy a caravan to live in temporarily. But I'll hold on to the caravan next time as an extra base when back home. Mum's OK with this as it will give me storage for things I don't need to carry while travelling.

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[jongood]

Just one thing to be aware of the " " " " 3.0 2010 - 2012 priced £35,000.00 upto £55.000.00
3.0 Litre with 6 gears will suffer with the Reverse Judder Problem.

Actually more common on the 2.3 than the 3.0 litre and by 2009 they had more or less fixed it.

 

[robnchris]

Actually more common on the 2.3 than the 3.0 litre and by 2009 they had more or less fixed it.

Not strictly correct, the main thing was when Fiat finally accepted there was a problem they had a fix for the 2.3 litre engines but they didn't have a fix for the 3 litre, we had the 3 litre engine and Fiat told us yes there is a problem but there is nothing they can do to fix it, so we took the motorhome back to the dealers and gave them the report and the keys.
Long story but short version was they fitted new heavy duty engine mountings and gave me in writing a 3 yr warranty saying that if we had a problem with it they would cover all costs.
We drove it with due care making certain we never put ourselves on grass or steep incline in reverse gear and sold the motorhome at the 3 yr limit.

 

[Hugoman]

It's perfect for living in but not for my type of touring , it's quite restrictive and cumbersome.....which in truth I expected it to be when I bought it.

Yes I know what you mean..can be a bit cumbersome but then when you’ve stopped it’s nice and comfy especially for long term travelling. I wouldn’t mind having two..my Hymer and one of these, then choose which one for which trip. Unfortunately I suspect they’re out of my price range

 

[Folkranger]

They are desperately trying to keep them below 3.5 tonnes with sensible pay load so they have the largest market.

I would question the term "Sensible payload", maybe "frugal"