Bought myself a T6 Cali Ocean!
Discussion
After making the decision to sell Carrie the Concorde which I had for >4yrs and full-timed in for half of that time, we thought we’d enjoy not owning a leisure vehicle for a bit and all the associated costs & hassle which go with it. How wrong could we have been……..well, we’ve enjoyed the lack of hassle and costs but missed the ability to be as outdoors as camping gets you. Or, as I said to my other half - “I miss not having a vehicle I can sleep in!”
So after a bit of prodding of T6’s and T6.1’s and lots of reading up on Cali’s versus others (we had a Kepler One before) and getting very close to ordering a brand new T6.1 Ocean, we ended up settling on a lovely MY2018 T6 Ocean with 150ps DSG and every option box ticked. A relative bargain at £54k with just £11k on the clock.
Only had her a couple of weeks and have been busy selling my 9month X5 to fund it
But so far had a night on the driveway with my 9yr old and busy planning trips for spring and summer.
With this one it’s less about camping per se but more about having a flexible day van that we can take the kids out in and enjoy long, active days. They can nap and be fed in the van. As they get older we’ll do camping too. For now the 1yr old is a bit too much hard work for camping IMO. We’ll see.
Everyone, meet Chloe!
So after a bit of prodding of T6’s and T6.1’s and lots of reading up on Cali’s versus others (we had a Kepler One before) and getting very close to ordering a brand new T6.1 Ocean, we ended up settling on a lovely MY2018 T6 Ocean with 150ps DSG and every option box ticked. A relative bargain at £54k with just £11k on the clock.
Only had her a couple of weeks and have been busy selling my 9month X5 to fund it
But so far had a night on the driveway with my 9yr old and busy planning trips for spring and summer.With this one it’s less about camping per se but more about having a flexible day van that we can take the kids out in and enjoy long, active days. They can nap and be fed in the van. As they get older we’ll do camping too. For now the 1yr old is a bit too much hard work for camping IMO. We’ll see.
Everyone, meet Chloe!
Congratulations. I've been looking at these a lot and £54k for a low mileage 2018 model is excellent. I made a casual comment a couple of years ago that I might get a campervan in front of my little boy. He's now 6 years old and has told everyone that I am getting one when he is 7 so Mrs Toon is putting the pressure on 
Great choice, but it must feel minuscule compared to your other two massive old boats? 
The 150 with a Revo map gives you a decent power hike and doesn’t affect the mpg too much.
Now you need some 20’s, coilovers and stiffer arb’s
I’ve got a Reimo awning rail on my bus and then a Vango driveway awning which gives you loads of extra room, but more importantly the ability to drive away and hitch up again later.
The 150 with a Revo map gives you a decent power hike and doesn’t affect the mpg too much.
Now you need some 20’s, coilovers and stiffer arb’s
I’ve got a Reimo awning rail on my bus and then a Vango driveway awning which gives you loads of extra room, but more importantly the ability to drive away and hitch up again later.
Thanks chaps! 
It’s odd. In some ways with the armchair seats, elevated view and relative paucity of power, it doesn’t feel that different from cruising around in the Concorde. That said, the 150PS is quicker than you’d think and the torque seems always to be there so long as you don’t overrev or hurry it too much. Currently getting 33-37mpg on the school run and collecting my daughter from her Mum’s on a 30mile round trip.
Camping on the drive definitely persuaded me it’s not for several overnights with the four of us. I was spoilt by the size of the others and ability to bring everything……and stow it!
But the idea is indeed a fun bus for long days out or impromptu overnights just because. I had originally sneered at the Cali when we had the Kepler and motorhomes but I have to hand it to VW - the packaging and quality is super. By just focussing on doing one thing instead of trying to be a mini Motorhome like the Kepler, there’s a feeling of space that we didn’t have in the other. In spite of being only a SWB instead of the LWB. It certainly does make it more of a useable everyday car. And that was the other thing - the Motorhome being in storage took the spontaneity out of getting away. By having this on the drive and ready to go, hopefully we’ll get more use than just using it as a 2nd car.
Values are totally overblown currently but what with waiting lists as long as they currently are and so many more people into “the scene” I don’t see me losing much money over the longterm relative to a car. Indeed a lightly used T6 looked like a bargain compared to paying £20-30k more for a brand new one.
We’ll see. But for the moment it’s all about fun days out and making memories with the kids.
It’s odd. In some ways with the armchair seats, elevated view and relative paucity of power, it doesn’t feel that different from cruising around in the Concorde. That said, the 150PS is quicker than you’d think and the torque seems always to be there so long as you don’t overrev or hurry it too much. Currently getting 33-37mpg on the school run and collecting my daughter from her Mum’s on a 30mile round trip.
Camping on the drive definitely persuaded me it’s not for several overnights with the four of us. I was spoilt by the size of the others and ability to bring everything……and stow it!
But the idea is indeed a fun bus for long days out or impromptu overnights just because. I had originally sneered at the Cali when we had the Kepler and motorhomes but I have to hand it to VW - the packaging and quality is super. By just focussing on doing one thing instead of trying to be a mini Motorhome like the Kepler, there’s a feeling of space that we didn’t have in the other. In spite of being only a SWB instead of the LWB. It certainly does make it more of a useable everyday car. And that was the other thing - the Motorhome being in storage took the spontaneity out of getting away. By having this on the drive and ready to go, hopefully we’ll get more use than just using it as a 2nd car.
Values are totally overblown currently but what with waiting lists as long as they currently are and so many more people into “the scene” I don’t see me losing much money over the longterm relative to a car. Indeed a lightly used T6 looked like a bargain compared to paying £20-30k more for a brand new one.
We’ll see. But for the moment it’s all about fun days out and making memories with the kids.
Edited by Spuffington on Thursday 3rd March 21:02
Robotron70 said:
Great choice, but it must feel minuscule compared to your other two massive old boats?
The 150 with a Revo map gives you a decent power hike and doesn’t affect the mpg too much.
Now you need some 20’s, coilovers and stiffer arb’s
I’ve got a Reimo awning rail on my bus and then a Vango driveway awning which gives you loads of extra room, but more importantly the ability to drive away and hitch up again later.
Thankfully the chap gave us all his extras with it. So we have a Vango Inflatable Galli 3 drive away awning which will hopefully as you say make it easier to pitch up, camp and also go exploring in it too.The 150 with a Revo map gives you a decent power hike and doesn’t affect the mpg too much.
Now you need some 20’s, coilovers and stiffer arb’s
I’ve got a Reimo awning rail on my bus and then a Vango driveway awning which gives you loads of extra room, but more importantly the ability to drive away and hitch up again later.
He also threw in silver screens windscreen exterior insulation & exterior roof insulation too (amongst other things).
I can see it’s a slippery slope for modifying. I’ve already spent £££ in the Campervanbits shop for Cali stuff but bigger wheels and body kit are on the horizon, even though I think she looks very slick in stock form in Mojave Beige.
If I had my time again I’d go swamper, mines very unpractical for anything remotely off-road despite being a 4-Motion.
They do like to clog up their egr valves, circa £1000 to replace so regular oil changes and premium fuel with additives/detergent will help mitigate this.
Don’t forget to wave at other Transporters
They do like to clog up their egr valves, circa £1000 to replace so regular oil changes and premium fuel with additives/detergent will help mitigate this.
Don’t forget to wave at other Transporters
I found T6s way overpriced (as are most things at the moment) and despite being a big fan and former own of a a t5, I ended up with a Vito crew.
That said the Cali's are a bit different and provided that you can afford the outlay on buying one, they're a sound purchase as residuals are solid.
That said the Cali's are a bit different and provided that you can afford the outlay on buying one, they're a sound purchase as residuals are solid.
Chicken Chaser said:
I found T6s way overpriced (as are most things at the moment) and despite being a big fan and former own of a a t5, I ended up with a Vito crew.
That said the Cali's are a bit different and provided that you can afford the outlay on buying one, they're a sound purchase as residuals are solid.
The Vito will only be cheaper until the time you sell it.That said the Cali's are a bit different and provided that you can afford the outlay on buying one, they're a sound purchase as residuals are solid.
rustyuk said:
The Vito will only be cheaper until the time you sell it.
Not really, van prices are strong across the board due to the shortages and this one was a fair bit cheaper than the market due to location and circumstances. I paid around 60% of what the same age/mileage T6 would have been. Bought a 4 year old Beach last month and started throwing accessories at it.
Main reason was to find something big enough to carry the dog around comfortably in as the A6 Avant was getting a bit cramped in the boot for him, but now we have the added benefit that a camper brings. Have only day tripped so far but its great to be able to setup the table, pop the roof, swivel the chairs and have lunch in comfort.
Gradually acquiring camping equipment (fridge/toilet/awning/cooking gear) before we start some over nights away.
Main reason was to find something big enough to carry the dog around comfortably in as the A6 Avant was getting a bit cramped in the boot for him, but now we have the added benefit that a camper brings. Have only day tripped so far but its great to be able to setup the table, pop the roof, swivel the chairs and have lunch in comfort.
Gradually acquiring camping equipment (fridge/toilet/awning/cooking gear) before we start some over nights away.
Excellent, looks great!
We have a short wheelbase Merc Vito with a professional camper conversion and it's been so much fun with the kids over the past 18 months that we've had it.
Campers just make it so easy to have a great day trip with the kids, especially going to the beach - so much easier to get them changed and dried not to mention the ability to whip up a hot choc on the stove.
Mine is also my daily driver and being a SWB it's really no more faff than a normal car.
Looking forward to the updates!
We have a short wheelbase Merc Vito with a professional camper conversion and it's been so much fun with the kids over the past 18 months that we've had it.
Campers just make it so easy to have a great day trip with the kids, especially going to the beach - so much easier to get them changed and dried not to mention the ability to whip up a hot choc on the stove.
Mine is also my daily driver and being a SWB it's really no more faff than a normal car.
Looking forward to the updates!
Chicken Chaser said:
rustyuk said:
The Vito will only be cheaper until the time you sell it.
Not really, van prices are strong across the board due to the shortages and this one was a fair bit cheaper than the market due to location and circumstances. I paid around 60% of what the same age/mileage T6 would have been. R56Cooper said:
Excellent, looks great!
We have a short wheelbase Merc Vito with a professional camper conversion and it's been so much fun with the kids over the past 18 months that we've had it.
Campers just make it so easy to have a great day trip with the kids, especially going to the beach - so much easier to get them changed and dried not to mention the ability to whip up a hot choc on the stove.
Mine is also my daily driver and being a SWB it's really no more faff than a normal car.
Looking forward to the updates!
Not wanting to derail the thread, but how do you get on using it as a daily driver? I've been toying with the idea of swapping my Focus ST and getting a SWB camper conversion, but I'd have to do a 50 mile round trip 3 times a week, most of it is quiet B roads so well suited to the Focus. I worry I'd get frustrated doing the same journey in a van...We have a short wheelbase Merc Vito with a professional camper conversion and it's been so much fun with the kids over the past 18 months that we've had it.
Campers just make it so easy to have a great day trip with the kids, especially going to the beach - so much easier to get them changed and dried not to mention the ability to whip up a hot choc on the stove.
Mine is also my daily driver and being a SWB it's really no more faff than a normal car.
Looking forward to the updates!
Zetec-S said:
Not wanting to derail the thread, but how do you get on using it as a daily driver? I've been toying with the idea of swapping my Focus ST and getting a SWB camper conversion, but I'd have to do a 50 mile round trip 3 times a week, most of it is quiet B roads so well suited to the Focus. I worry I'd get frustrated doing the same journey in a van...
My wife changed her Ford CMax for a 6 seater SWB camper and she loves it. It is not a B road thrasher, but as a family car it is perfect. We got a 6 seater as it makes it more comfortable for long journeys and you cannot make bacon rolls and a brew in a Focus. A good extra to get is a WiFi hot-spot, great for keeping the family entertained on long journeys and it links to the TV for Netflix, Disney+, etc.It is perfect for days out and we have gone away for more camping trips than we used to. It is a slippery slope with regards to accessories and personalisation. We are saving up for a newer one which is to our design and specification.
Just joining in as I’ve one too ! Re: focus or not… clearly they’re not a car or as easy as a car to drive but they’re close. Arguably the high up seating position gives you some ease on the road.
They’re pretty bulletproof on depreciation too. Not many other cars can claim that. Every single forum /fb group says avoid the higher powered ones though. Engines too unreliable
They’re pretty bulletproof on depreciation too. Not many other cars can claim that. Every single forum /fb group says avoid the higher powered ones though. Engines too unreliable
austinsmirk said:
Just joining in as I’ve one too ! Re: focus or not… clearly they’re not a car or as easy as a car to drive but they’re close. Arguably the high up seating position gives you some ease on the road.
They’re pretty bulletproof on depreciation too. Not many other cars can claim that. Every single forum /fb group says avoid the higher powered ones though. Engines too unreliable
Yeah, avoid the 180, the 204 has a different egr, even some 180’s have the revision D.They’re pretty bulletproof on depreciation too. Not many other cars can claim that. Every single forum /fb group says avoid the higher powered ones though. Engines too unreliable
https://www.hypermiler.co.uk/volkswagen/vw-transpo...
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