Dipping my toe in to Campervan life with a Westfalia Nugget
Discussion
The previous owners were an older couple that had owned it since new, the a4 ring binder of service work (in plastic protectors in some cases) shows that for most of its life it was well maintained. The husband died and so the van wasn’t used that much/the wife didn’t do much upkeep which explains some of the items not being repaired.
I know the VW scene has campers at a eye watering price but 25K for a converted transit has somewhat blown my mind even as a bit of a ford fan 
Still its all about residuals, if you can have some family trips and then get your cash back at some point then why not, looks a comfy semi retro place to explore in and if you can keep it from dissolving parts will be reasonable.
Still its all about residuals, if you can have some family trips and then get your cash back at some point then why not, looks a comfy semi retro place to explore in and if you can keep it from dissolving parts will be reasonable.
bungz said:
I know the VW scene has campers at a eye watering price but 25K for a converted transit has somewhat blown my mind even as a bit of a ford fan
Not just a transit, a 2002 transit. That is crazy money, although it's low mileage I'd be wary of the amount of parts that have reached the end of their useful life by now. And rust, its a transit!I hope it works out for OP but please do go into this one with your eyes wide open.
I looked at T4's prior to lock down. Could have a doer upper for £3-4k.
Absolute madness now, I do wonder when this will all end. People getting burnt by absolute money pits on the promise of sunny weekends away while in reality it's £1,500 worth of welding, faulty electronics and £1000 worth of failing parts. I envision when holidays return (in some format) the market will be flooded once the wife has gotten fed up of that £9,000 clapped out van that's sat on the drive. Well, I won't hold my breathe...
Absolute madness now, I do wonder when this will all end. People getting burnt by absolute money pits on the promise of sunny weekends away while in reality it's £1,500 worth of welding, faulty electronics and £1000 worth of failing parts. I envision when holidays return (in some format) the market will be flooded once the wife has gotten fed up of that £9,000 clapped out van that's sat on the drive. Well, I won't hold my breathe...
Richtea1970 said:
bungz said:
I know the VW scene has campers at a eye watering price but 25K for a converted transit has somewhat blown my mind even as a bit of a ford fan
Not just a transit, a 2002 transit. That is crazy money, although it's low mileage I'd be wary of the amount of parts that have reached the end of their useful life by now. And rust, its a transit!I hope it works out for OP but please do go into this one with your eyes wide open.
I mean you can by a JDM people carrier for sub 8k and spend a bit more converting in into a camper.
Everything has gone up in price, by about £5-10k depending. I’d think one of these in 2019 wild probably be around £13-19k depending on condition.
So the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
So the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
As the owner of a T5 camper which I bought 7 years ago in September for just over £30k when it was 3 years old, I think at the minute if I put it back up for sale, given what I've seen other stuff actually selling for, I think I'd stand to lose £2k > £4k over what I paid for it. Not a bad investment given all the memories we've had in it. Not that I plan on selling it...
LincolnLovin said:
Everything has gone up in price, by about £5-10k depending. I’d think one of these in 2019 wild probably be around £13-19k depending on condition.
So the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
Exactly, prices are mental but you'll only take a bath financially if you sell it when prices plummetSo the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
A coach built home will retain value better and stand the test of time better. People need to understand these are not financial investments they're lifestyle choices. You could quite easily spend £5k+ on a family holiday and at the end that that money is gone, if you lose the same after a years use of the camper/motorhome how is that any different?
andburg said:
LincolnLovin said:
Everything has gone up in price, by about £5-10k depending. I’d think one of these in 2019 wild probably be around £13-19k depending on condition.
So the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
Exactly, prices are mental but you'll only take a bath financially if you sell it when prices plummetSo the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
A coach built home will retain value better and stand the test of time better. People need to understand these are not financial investments they're lifestyle choices. You could quite easily spend £5k+ on a family holiday and at the end that that money is gone, if you lose the same after a years use of the camper/motorhome how is that any different?
Also buying a camper within the depreciation curve of a new Ford Nugget appeals as well, especially as the feature set is the same from the camper side (granted the van side is much newer).
LincolnLovin said:
Yup, a planned family holiday to Greece next year is coming in at that price - its not cheap!
Also buying a camper within the depreciation curve of a new Ford Nugget appeals as well, especially as the feature set is the same from the camper side (granted the van side is much newer).
enjoy itAlso buying a camper within the depreciation curve of a new Ford Nugget appeals as well, especially as the feature set is the same from the camper side (granted the van side is much newer).
Our van came from a honeymoon cruise cancellation.
If that had happened we'd have some memories but thats it really, as it stands we've had a week away in the van along with numerous odd days and i still have a van. We can now prety much go wherever we want, whenever and its quite liberating
LincolnLovin said:
andburg said:
LincolnLovin said:
Everything has gone up in price, by about £5-10k depending. I’d think one of these in 2019 wild probably be around £13-19k depending on condition.
So the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
Exactly, prices are mental but you'll only take a bath financially if you sell it when prices plummetSo the decision becomes wait till next year or spend on something that will retain some value (with the theory being that shonky conversion will fall back to pre covid levels).
A coach built home will retain value better and stand the test of time better. People need to understand these are not financial investments they're lifestyle choices. You could quite easily spend £5k+ on a family holiday and at the end that that money is gone, if you lose the same after a years use of the camper/motorhome how is that any different?
Also buying a camper within the depreciation curve of a new Ford Nugget appeals as well, especially as the feature set is the same from the camper side (granted the van side is much newer).
Santorini by any chance?
Quandary appears!
Sill repair is done, as is a fresh MOT (which no longer mentions the rust), but photos were not taken. I have expressed my unhappiness with this, I am awaiting the invoice from the body shop to see what work was done, I'll also be calling them to verify.
We'll have to see if I go ahead with the purchase, as everything else is on schedule but it's added in an unnecessary doubt.
Sill repair is done, as is a fresh MOT (which no longer mentions the rust), but photos were not taken. I have expressed my unhappiness with this, I am awaiting the invoice from the body shop to see what work was done, I'll also be calling them to verify.
We'll have to see if I go ahead with the purchase, as everything else is on schedule but it's added in an unnecessary doubt.
Problem you have now is its probably painted in a thick coat of rust protecting undercoat and it'll be impossible to see the extent of the hole / repair.
Don't expect a flush repair though, even on an outer sill if a repair is done just to to get through an MOT then expect a plate over the top rather than a seamless, ground back, painted repair.
Don't expect a flush repair though, even on an outer sill if a repair is done just to to get through an MOT then expect a plate over the top rather than a seamless, ground back, painted repair.
Yeah if it was a flush/smooth job that would raise more flags, lets see how the week progresses. I'll know by Wednesday if the van will be ready for Friday (only missing item is the heater which is on order with a month for delivery, so will need to travel back down to get it fitted).
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