Buying an old campervan

anniemg

Hi there just looking for honest opinions on buying a 1989 Renault Trafic campervan, it’s been stored for years and has 30 years of paperwork, it’s going for £3k ???

Stubod

..not with a very long barge pole...

caprikid1

Do you love classic cars and all the disadvantages ? 
Is the journey more fun than the destination ?
Is £3K fun money to you ?
Is image not important to you ?

If you answered Yes to all of the above... go for it.

If no to any AVOID like the plague.

Its a type 2 Camper with no Pro's from a usability point of view.

Ditzy_Mitzy

We'll need some more information to give a proper opinion.

Was the van stored outdoors or indoors?  
if indoors, was the storage warm and dry?
Does the van run?
What's the interior like?
Bodywork?

Renault traffic auto sleeper camper 1991 | eBay

There's one here on ebay with a buy it now of £4,250.  Seems a little expensive to me, given that the interior is grotty and requires work, but it is a going concern with an MOT.  It's an idea, at least.

What needs to be weighed up is the cost of recommissioning the £3,000 van versus the cost of buying one that's already on the road.  An eighties Trafic isn't a complicated vehicle and parts are readily available.  If it's just a case of mechanical issues or a small bit of welding, go for the laid up one.  If not, look on.  That assumes the rest of the £3,000 is in decent nick.  Don't bother if not.

[Deleted User]

I know people that would happy doing this as they have the skills and space if it needs a refurb but no idea on the pricing for such.
Apart from making sure all the vin and provenance matches up, then has the tin worm had a field day, engine turned over or just left for what a year/ 6 years? brakes, seals on brakes, brake lines, gear box, exhaust tyres and so on.

Is it worth the effort if you need to farm the work out or can you spanner it yourself?

lincroft1710

Is it a coachbuilt or straightforward panel van conversion?


A 32 yr old van left standing for years as opposed to a 32 yr old van in recent usage presents more problems. Coachbuilts can suffer from damp and bodywork leaks. As camper prices are at a premium, it may be a bargain or (more probably) an absolute money pit. You will have to check everything (and I mean EVERYTHING!) very, very carefully and unless you have the appropriate skills price up repairs and replacements.


Please let us know the outcome

Herzlos

Do you want a project to sit on the drive and tinker with over a few summers? Go for it.
Do you want to struggle up hills and take forever to get anywhere with it, if it actually runs? Go for it.
Do you actually want to go camping? Leave it well alone.

At that age, it's likely one for the experts or for someone to convert into a glamping pod.

lordmountararat

I had a Renault Trafic campervan panel conversion many years ago and it turned out to be an absolute money pit with severe corrosion and always over heating. I may just have been unlucky, though. Still, in camper van terms 3 grand is right at the bottom end and isn't much to lose if it all goes pear shaped.

Martin_the_Unjust

Stubod said:

..not with a very long barge pole...

…..is the right answer.

Two years ago it would have gone for scrap, when the world opens up again and people are no longer willing to pay through the nose for campers it’ll be worth scrap value only again.