RE: Check out the smarter, larger VW California
Discussion
toon10 said:
I'm out of touch with the current VW lineup. Is this the Ford platform-based VW that everyone's complaining about? I take it the multivan is pretty much a transporter but for Caravelle and up models?
This isn't based on the Ford platform - it's Multivan-based. The Multivan is VW MQB platform taken to extremes, so it shares its architecture with a Golf. The T7 Transporter is the one based on a Ford.
Common Porpoise said:
Have they ditched the one with "full size" wardrobe, fridge, stove and sink on the nearside? Having half the kitchen in the boot seems like a huge compromise. I've spent some time with a very early lhd California and it was superb, especially witht the "red i" full fat 2.5.
They haven't - that's the California XL, based on the Crafter. Kipsrs said:
Oh great! Sliding doors on both sides! I’m a keen camper, as in tents, but these things on a camp site with the doors sliding open and shut all night isn’t fun! I hope they’re soft close and silent!
Probably electric with an accompanying BEEP BEEP BEEP as they slide closed.I was thinking about these after the bank holiday day out in wales. You see loads of them. But, with the lowering of U.K. speed limits (smart 50mph motorways and 20mph wales) it got me thinking that actually a classic split screen or bay window bus offerers the same interior practicality while being zero depreciation, zero tax, zero mot etc, low carbon/green because it’s not new. If you can overcome reliability issues and fuel consumption then would that be the better option. I would argue that a nicely restored older bus can be quite reliable at speeds below 60 mph and while it might only get 25mpg on unleaded, it would not depreciate and hence could be the better option for many occasional users with somewhere dry to keep it over winter. A rare example of a sensible classic car that can benefit the whole family for the few warmer weeks of summer.
legless said:
This isn't based on the Ford platform - it's Multivan-based. The Multivan is VW MQB platform taken to extremes, so it shares its architecture with a Golf.
The T7 Transporter is the one based on a Ford.
Thanks. I wonder if they will do a California version of the T7. Seems like they would be occupying the same marketplace if they did. The T7 Transporter is the one based on a Ford.
ducnick said:
I was thinking about these after the bank holiday day out in wales. You see loads of them. But, with the lowering of U.K. speed limits (smart 50mph motorways and 20mph wales) it got me thinking that actually a classic split screen or bay window bus offerers the same interior practicality while being zero depreciation, zero tax, zero mot etc, low carbon/green because it’s not new. If you can overcome reliability issues and fuel consumption then would that be the better option. I would argue that a nicely restored older bus can be quite reliable at speeds below 60 mph and while it might only get 25mpg on unleaded, it would not depreciate and hence could be the better option for many occasional users with somewhere dry to keep it over winter. A rare example of a sensible classic car that can benefit the whole family for the few warmer weeks of summer.
I think there are companies that fit a Subaru flat4 engine (Nothing turbo nutty, just the humdrum 90s/00's ones) to those old campers for £6k or so. That's certainly what I'd do over spending £70k on one of these.ducnick said:
I was thinking about these after the bank holiday day out in wales. You see loads of them. But, with the lowering of U.K. speed limits (smart 50mph motorways and 20mph wales) it got me thinking that actually a classic split screen or bay window bus offerers the same interior practicality while being zero depreciation, zero tax, zero mot etc, low carbon/green because it’s not new. If you can overcome reliability issues and fuel consumption then would that be the better option. I would argue that a nicely restored older bus can be quite reliable at speeds below 60 mph and while it might only get 25mpg on unleaded, it would not depreciate and hence could be the better option for many occasional users with somewhere dry to keep it over winter. A rare example of a sensible classic car that can benefit the whole family for the few warmer weeks of summer.
Great idea. Except your legs are in the crumple zone and it would collapse like a wet paper bag if anything hit it.Back to the new one. Surely sliding doors on both sides compromises how much you can do with the inside because both walls move?
About 10 years ago we hired a new California for a few nights away, really enjoyed it but it gets a little claustrophobic after a while. I'd love one we could use for day trips with the option of stopping overnight somewhere, but it's well out of budget and even if it wasn't I'd struggle to justify the expense. £70k would get a very nice Motorhome, although I appreciate they serve a different market/purpose.
I also wasn't that impressed with the build quality, ours was (I think) a T5.1 and a couple of bits of trim were loose and one of the interior lights fell out. We popped into a local conversion company (vanworx) a few weeks later and felt you could get a lot more for your £50k and the build quality just felt a lot better with a lot less shiny grey 90's era plastic.
I also wasn't that impressed with the build quality, ours was (I think) a T5.1 and a couple of bits of trim were loose and one of the interior lights fell out. We popped into a local conversion company (vanworx) a few weeks later and felt you could get a lot more for your £50k and the build quality just felt a lot better with a lot less shiny grey 90's era plastic.
I tried creating a super updated Splitscreen van 15 years ago but £50K and 5 years of swearing didn't get me anywhere and I sold it for £27K
Also bought an 18 month old T5 2.5 LWB and had it converted by Reimo. I've put £35K (total incl the van), 15 years and 70k miles into that van. Almost every option I can get. AC, heating, Koni coilovers, nice radio with good speakers. It goes really well, I love bombing around Welsh/Scottish lanes in it an it covers the Motorways in between with ease... and it's still worth most of the £35K that went into it. Today it would cost £65K to do the same thing...
The T5/6 LWB interior is 25cm longer and 6cm wider than the LWB T7 Multivan. The T6 California camper bed was only 115cm wide which was tight already. Quite how they're going to fit a sensible bed in the T7 ...?? I imagine that a lot of folks will opt for the T7 Commercial van as a camper base vehicle, esp as most of the existing Transit conversion parts will be a close fit.
Also bought an 18 month old T5 2.5 LWB and had it converted by Reimo. I've put £35K (total incl the van), 15 years and 70k miles into that van. Almost every option I can get. AC, heating, Koni coilovers, nice radio with good speakers. It goes really well, I love bombing around Welsh/Scottish lanes in it an it covers the Motorways in between with ease... and it's still worth most of the £35K that went into it. Today it would cost £65K to do the same thing...
The T5/6 LWB interior is 25cm longer and 6cm wider than the LWB T7 Multivan. The T6 California camper bed was only 115cm wide which was tight already. Quite how they're going to fit a sensible bed in the T7 ...?? I imagine that a lot of folks will opt for the T7 Commercial van as a camper base vehicle, esp as most of the existing Transit conversion parts will be a close fit.
Jader1973 said:
ducnick said:
I was thinking about these after the bank holiday day out in wales. You see loads of them. But, with the lowering of U.K. speed limits (smart 50mph motorways and 20mph wales) it got me thinking that actually a classic split screen or bay window bus offerers the same interior practicality while being zero depreciation, zero tax, zero mot etc, low carbon/green because it’s not new. If you can overcome reliability issues and fuel consumption then would that be the better option. I would argue that a nicely restored older bus can be quite reliable at speeds below 60 mph and while it might only get 25mpg on unleaded, it would not depreciate and hence could be the better option for many occasional users with somewhere dry to keep it over winter. A rare example of a sensible classic car that can benefit the whole family for the few warmer weeks of summer.
Great idea. Except your legs are in the crumple zone and it would collapse like a wet paper bag if anything hit it.I toured Europe in a California, lived the leisurely life in it for 18 months, then sold it for exactly what I bought it for (less the buyer's train fare because I felt almost guilty for the lack of depreciation).
High pricetag does not mean it's not worth every penny. Compared to any one of the many conversions on offer, regardless of how many LEDs or quilting stitches they can cram into a builder's van, the genuine factory California is such a beautiful thing, the product of generations of thoughtful design tweaks and custom parts, and it will always be worth big money forever more to those who know.
High pricetag does not mean it's not worth every penny. Compared to any one of the many conversions on offer, regardless of how many LEDs or quilting stitches they can cram into a builder's van, the genuine factory California is such a beautiful thing, the product of generations of thoughtful design tweaks and custom parts, and it will always be worth big money forever more to those who know.
Jermy Claxon said:
I toured Europe in a California, lived the leisurely life in it for 18 months, then sold it for exactly what I bought it for (less the buyer's train fare because I felt almost guilty for the lack of depreciation).
High pricetag does not mean it's not worth every penny. Compared to any one of the many conversions on offer, regardless of how many LEDs or quilting stitches they can cram into a builder's van, the genuine factory California is such a beautiful thing, the product of generations of thoughtful design tweaks and custom parts, and it will always be worth big money forever more to those who know.
I agree with you Jermy Claxon. A California is factory built whilst most others are just conversions. Apart from the California how many have air con in the rear? It feels a lot lighter inside than conversions due to the lack of dark carpet over most surfaced. Also I like that the pop top is completely hidden when closed. I wish all pop tops had this feature.High pricetag does not mean it's not worth every penny. Compared to any one of the many conversions on offer, regardless of how many LEDs or quilting stitches they can cram into a builder's van, the genuine factory California is such a beautiful thing, the product of generations of thoughtful design tweaks and custom parts, and it will always be worth big money forever more to those who know.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff