How to fund a new van?
Discussion
valiant said:
Big Rat said:
We decided to get out of the motorhome ownership despite really enjoying the experience bought the Motorhome an ex display in 2021 for £65500, sold to a dealer as coming up to it’s first MOT for just under £62k.
We did 9k in her travelling all over the UK.
As regards reliability nothing to write home about few minor habitation problems but nothing chassis engine related, just luck I guess.
As others have mentioned the diesel engine changes brought in as a results of ever stringent emissions legislation have added to the fragility reliability of them and with that comes expense and souring of the experience.
Anyway she has gone now ……
And we’ve gone back to a caravan I fully accept towing is not for everyone but having the freedom of a car to tour/visit places once on site is something we didn’t realise was equally important to us and is a definite plus….. towing a car behind the Motorhome was never a consideration…..
So here’s our new combo and yes the car is petrol….
Same here.We did 9k in her travelling all over the UK.
As regards reliability nothing to write home about few minor habitation problems but nothing chassis engine related, just luck I guess.
As others have mentioned the diesel engine changes brought in as a results of ever stringent emissions legislation have added to the fragility reliability of them and with that comes expense and souring of the experience.
Anyway she has gone now ……
And we’ve gone back to a caravan I fully accept towing is not for everyone but having the freedom of a car to tour/visit places once on site is something we didn’t realise was equally important to us and is a definite plus….. towing a car behind the Motorhome was never a consideration…..
So here’s our new combo and yes the car is petrol….
We had a Malibu PVC and the quality was top notch and nothing went wrong with the Fiat bits (although would go with the more powerful engine).
We sold for what we paid for it and would be worth considerably more now but we are now looking to go to a caravan as it will suit our needs more. Just looking for a light weight caravan that out (petrol) car can tow comfortably as I don’t want to change the car just yet.
Price of motorhomes now is crazy.
Don’t know if the OP has a car/suv and caravan combo as a consideration…….
Car/Caravan combination is a no go for us unfortunately. My company car can change at the drop of a hat and the replacement might not have tow bar and the company won't fit one at dealer as it's so much more expensive. Also most car dealers are hesitant to fit tow bars as they don't add any value for the vast majority of potential customers.
My wife isn't medically able to drive a car for another 12 months, so we have no need for a second car and even then we don't know if the DVLA will give her licence back. Another joyous result of her brain tumour! Before the brain tumour, she had a TT, so we tend to run a small cheaper car as her car, no point having a big car for her to do 3-4k a year in along with my company car.
I would prefer a caravan, but it just doesn't work for us. Also caravans don't have garages and I like to keep our bikes locked up.
My wife isn't medically able to drive a car for another 12 months, so we have no need for a second car and even then we don't know if the DVLA will give her licence back. Another joyous result of her brain tumour! Before the brain tumour, she had a TT, so we tend to run a small cheaper car as her car, no point having a big car for her to do 3-4k a year in along with my company car.
I would prefer a caravan, but it just doesn't work for us. Also caravans don't have garages and I like to keep our bikes locked up.
missing the VR6 said:
Car/Caravan combination is a no go for us unfortunately. My company car can change at the drop of a hat and the replacement might not have tow bar and the company won't fit one at dealer as it's so much more expensive. Also most car dealers are hesitant to fit tow bars as they don't add any value for the vast majority of potential customers.
My wife isn't medically able to drive a car for another 12 months, so we have no need for a second car and even then we don't know if the DVLA will give her licence back. Another joyous result of her brain tumour! Before the brain tumour, she had a TT, so we tend to run a small cheaper car as her car, no point having a big car for her to do 3-4k a year in along with my company car.
I would prefer a caravan, but it just doesn't work for us. Also caravans don't have garages and I like to keep our bikes locked up.
I’m sorry to hear about your wife wish her a speedy recovery……..yes you could be right about the driving licence situation ….. hope things work out for you both chap….My wife isn't medically able to drive a car for another 12 months, so we have no need for a second car and even then we don't know if the DVLA will give her licence back. Another joyous result of her brain tumour! Before the brain tumour, she had a TT, so we tend to run a small cheaper car as her car, no point having a big car for her to do 3-4k a year in along with my company car.
I would prefer a caravan, but it just doesn't work for us. Also caravans don't have garages and I like to keep our bikes locked up.
Milner993 said:
A friend of mine owns an asset management company, he can supply funds for any type of purchase, happy to pm you some details if you want to speak with him.
Thank you, I will take you up on that offer please. Funnily enough I was discussing my quandary with my boss yesterday afternoon and he suggested asset finance companies. Bit embarrassed I've been selling cars for 20 years and it didn't cross my mind!
I thought asset finance was only for businesses?
You won't really beat or even probably match the 8.9% show rate outside of the show, autofinanceonline are the best finance broker I wpuld recommend.
Mortgage always cheaper , lower rate longer term.
Most of my customers are self funding through house sales, pension cash in or inheritance etc lucky devil's as only maybe 10%-20% take finance .
All motorhomes break, regularly , the coachman which is a very nice Swedish Kabe in drah is very well built but will break too so don't expect mire price to equal less problems.
Pick your dealer too , most Coachman dealers were caravan dealers who had the motorhomes offered to them bot existing specialist motorhome ones so spme are better than others.
Nice vans though, little bit fugly to my eyes with the up and down roof lines and I find the different cab and rear upholstery odd but popular enough things none the less.
Non bias oppinion as we sell them , which I only found out from a customer as my other branch had ordered some and no one told me ffs!
You won't really beat or even probably match the 8.9% show rate outside of the show, autofinanceonline are the best finance broker I wpuld recommend.
Mortgage always cheaper , lower rate longer term.
Most of my customers are self funding through house sales, pension cash in or inheritance etc lucky devil's as only maybe 10%-20% take finance .
All motorhomes break, regularly , the coachman which is a very nice Swedish Kabe in drah is very well built but will break too so don't expect mire price to equal less problems.
Pick your dealer too , most Coachman dealers were caravan dealers who had the motorhomes offered to them bot existing specialist motorhome ones so spme are better than others.
Nice vans though, little bit fugly to my eyes with the up and down roof lines and I find the different cab and rear upholstery odd but popular enough things none the less.
Non bias oppinion as we sell them , which I only found out from a customer as my other branch had ordered some and no one told me ffs!
Tbh Pro rata I was gonna say we get least grief with Fiat's but these days it feels like everything breaks down die to sensor or electrical issues and the main dealers hate motorhomes so try their best to be as little help as possible!
Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
nagsheadwarrior said:
Tbh Pro rata I was gonna say we get least grief with Fiat's but these days it feels like everything breaks down die to sensor or electrical issues and the main dealers hate motorhomes so try their best to be as little help as possible!
Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
It's actually Fiat UK who have been hopeless, the dealer was fine. The other thing is the lack of Fiat Commercial dealers local to me, it's at least an hours drive to get to one and even then they only have 1 Fiat technician, it's just a shambles.Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
missing the VR6 said:
It's actually Fiat UK who have been hopeless, the dealer was fine. The other thing is the lack of Fiat Commercial dealers local to me, it's at least an hours drive to get to one and even then they only have 1 Fiat technician, it's just a shambles.
Whereabouts are you ?nagsheadwarrior said:
Tbh Pro rata I was gonna say we get least grief with Fiat's but these days it feels like everything breaks down die to sensor or electrical issues and the main dealers hate motorhomes so try their best to be as little help as possible!
Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
I've found vospers alright when we need ford bits .Does vary across the country and a lot of other will ve down to your local dealer of said base vehicle.
If you have a commercial merc dealer or indeed fiat dealer like we had in Lancashire they tend to be far better.
Sadly in Devon most brands are vospers car dealerships who are less than great!
Despite being a fiat dealer there still s
t now there part of stellantis group , parts not turning up then turning up at random times and not coming with any paper work to book it in .Good luck with however it works out OP. Life is for living, as it sounds like you've really experienced recently. From that perspective, get it done however it works best for you. The Coachman I think looks like a lovely machine (expensive for what it is IMO but then everything is at the moment).
Keep us posted on how you get on!
Keep us posted on how you get on!
Spuffington said:
Good luck with however it works out OP. Life is for living, as it sounds like you've really experienced recently. From that perspective, get it done however it works best for you. The Coachman I think looks like a lovely machine (expensive for what it is IMO but then everything is at the moment).
Keep us posted on how you get on!
2023 was quite a year, for more reasons than just my wife's brain tumour unfortunately and it's taught me that life is short so no point wasting time. Yes it's an expensive van, but compared to the A-Classes we saw it's a better van for our needs. Little things like the table isn't fixed, makes the living space so much better. We liked a Rapido M96, but the table is fixed and just doesn't feel like there's much space in the living area, it was the same on the Cathago one of similar price (did like the embossed Cathago glasses though!). To get most A Classes on a Merc chassis it's more money again, so in many ways, this is the cheap option! It would be nice to have those external slide out storage trays some vans have, but they're rare.Keep us posted on how you get on!
I should also add, I'm utterly spoilt by having company cars with all the toys, so having ACC, Climate control in the cab etc is very appealing as standard. We also had Truma AC fitted to our current van and the fact the Coachman comes with it and all the other bits we had fitted to ours like outside electric, gas and shower points as standard means we haven't got to get them fitted at extra cost.
Will update when I know more.
I notice the mention of Rapido, if you prioritise living space I’ve always had a soft spot for the 8094 (and older 9094). With full rear lounge and opposite seats for the front dinette. Very tardis like imho for its footprint.
I think Nags has got an older one in stock at present, might be too old for you though?
I think Nags has got an older one in stock at present, might be too old for you though?
HarryW said:
I notice the mention of Rapido, if you prioritise living space I’ve always had a soft spot for the 8094 (and older 9094). With full rear lounge and opposite seats for the front dinette. Very tardis like imho for its footprint.
I think Nags has got an older one in stock at present, might be too old for you though?
I do see the appeal of that type of layout, but we simply can't be bothered to make beds every night and put away in the morning, which is why we're after a Island bed. We have a transverse bed at the moment and it's a bit of a pain to make up, we've decided if we're going to spend a huge amount of money for us, it needs to tick all the boxes. Thanks for the suggestion though.I think Nags has got an older one in stock at present, might be too old for you though?
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