Buying a brand new van, tips?

custardy

Thinking about it. Have you run the numbers as to how many nights a year vs simply hiring a camper?
How many nights/trips a year are we actually talking here?

PokerPlayer111

fred990 wrote: »

If you want my advice - don't do it, it's very addictive!
I wandered into a VW dealer, looked at a very blingy two month old lwb T5 and came out £26k lighter. Have had it for four years and only use it in the summer for exactly the reason you're looking and it's brilliant. Basic yes but you can make it very cosy/comfortable and then use it as a 'van' later. Best toy/gadget ever and can't imagine being without it.
Beats twice the money on a camper. If the car goes bang I'd happily use it as the replacement.

Cool, so you would use it as your everyday vehicle long term? how is the cost of travel?

PokerPlayer111

custardy wrote: »

Thinking about it. Have you run the numbers as to how many nights a year vs simply hiring a camper?
How many nights/trips a year are we actually talking here?

I want to travel around the UK a bit, not seen much of it tbh, i like the coast. Could be 2 -3 trips a month anytime its not too cold, 1-2 nights each time. The cost of this type of thing adds up but not sure if i can justify a new van and dont know how to go about buying a 2nd hand one.

bigisi

PokerPlayer111 wrote: »

I want to travel around the UK a bit, not seen much of it tbh, i like the coast. Could be 2 -3 trips a month anytime its not too cold, 1-2 nights each time. The cost of this type of thing adds up but not sure if i can justify a new van and dont know how to go about buying a 2nd hand one.

Go to dealer/private seller. Look over van, documents etc. Test drive. If happy do the deal.

It's really not difficult.

custardy

PokerPlayer111 wrote: »

I want to travel around the UK a bit, not seen much of it tbh, i like the coast. Could be 2 -3 trips a month anytime its not too cold, 1-2 nights each time. The cost of this type of thing adds up but not sure if i can justify a new van and dont know how to go about buying a 2nd hand one.

Same way millions of people do.
You think everyone buying a car knows how to strip it down?
Go to reputable dealers,dont go cheap.
Ask here for advice if you want. You can also pay for an independent inspection from the likes of the AA.
Limiting yourself to new means you could be missing out on your ideal vehicle vs making do with a van.

fred990

Indeed, may have to consider parking space length (not a problem with the swb version). Otherwise it's very economical for what it is. 2.0l tdi, 6 spd man and without loads of weight and just driving with the flow I regularly see mid 40's mpg after about twenty mins driving.
Dunno about short trips though, if you get above 60 or so for a while the drag does reduce mpg. For relaxed not in a hurry type driving it's great. The mpg computer seems to be accurate ish based on what I put in it.