advice needed for noobie

[madmyk]

Hello and welcome.

For the price it is now, looks excellent however......

It will probably get quite expensive.
You need to see more pics of the outside. The important thing with these vans is the bodywork, thats what will cost to get fixed, everything else is nuts, bolts and teamwork!

I am no expert, having only recently become addicted myself, and I am sure there are a few more chaps around who will be able to comment more effectively than me, so keep checking back.

In the meantime I would suggest:
Ask for more pics, especially of the seams, footwells, edges of windows, the rear wheel arch area.
Get details of the engine and the chassis number
Check out the wiki above (little hammer symbol at top of this page) for advice for new owners etc.
Read as many "newbie" posts as you can without getting eyestrain, look for the repetative advice.
Put a lock on your wallet! Seriously, beware of buying the first one you see, it can cost you. Please see the advice on this site, there are many many excellent people on here who are very glad to help, and have a great deal of experience. When you trawl through the posts, you will see the regular contributers.

Sorry I can't be more precise about this particular vehicle, but I would rather say nothing than lead you astray (however well intentioned). Best wishes and good hunting, looking and drooling is part of the experience! (Oh, and if you are lucky, you can get some diamonds quite cheap!!!)

Myk.

[purplechugster]

Looks like more than two grands worth of van to me - Im betting the price will go up quite a bit towards the end of the auction!

[oldiguana]

eyup duck,dunna go un buy the fost un that cums ya way,ang on tut thee britches n do a bit ah research,surf a few sights do lark may un marlady did,drive anywhere to ave a lewk(way drove bedford one nayt then aberystweth the next,ended up bayeen one from e-bay from bognor regis with ite ayven seein eet...worth doin ya research n buy the best you can afford not the fost one thee sees fa tow grand...the wreck ar bowt marlady went newquay a wayk afta its mot n ar scrimped on jus abite everythin..if it wonna brock ar dinna fix eet.....good untin me owduck therz one ite theer sumware!!!!!!arm shuwa

[kevtherev]

I agree with oldiguana look look and look again come to a show for the day and find a camper that works for you. There wil be loads for sale at dubfreeze
Photo's flatter

welcome to the forum foz.foz

where are you based? maybe a member can come along and kick some tyres with you

pop your location in yer profile pal

ps I wouldn't pay more than two for it...that bull bar must be worth 8 mpg

[shepster]

Whatever you do don't get buying one of those Autosloper's though they're cr4p.

[horizontal kipper]

Theres a tidy high top in Shepshed on a D plate thats for sale no idea of price but the neighbour said it had a new engine and the owner now lives in canada so being sold by her parents i can get the tel number if you like?

[phade]

Hiya foz.foz,

The campervan you're looking at is a VW factory conversion Ci Autohomes hightop one. It looks like at some time in the past it's original veneer has been changed (my one still has got the original fittings in it) and doesn't look particulary good in the pics.

You will need to however thoroughly inspect the van if you are thinking about buying it. Do this before you bid !!!

If it does turn out to be minor rust, then I would expect that campervan to go for at least 3,500 quid (I did notice something not quite right with the front N/S door sill, below the rear part of the door step).

When looking at the campervan the most important thing you should check first is the bodywork!! Check the following areas of the bodywork for rust/rot:-

- Front valance (below the headlights), looks good in the pic

- Front door steps

- Door sills (especially on the O/S where the fridge has been installed)

- Rear 1/4 panels. These rust out badly on watercooled models

- Front driver's cab. Take a good look underneath the mats/carpets

- Rear wheel arches

- Lower part of the front windscreen

- Sealer on the roof. Inexpensive to replace.

Bodywork is generally very expensive to fix if it's seriously rotten (I learnt this from experience with my 1300 beetle).


Also check the following:-

- Wet carpets!! If this is the case then walk away from it.

- Engine: Oil leaks and rattling (acceptable if it stops rattling after 15 to 20 mins during warmup and if it hasn't been used for a long time)

- Exhaust: Is it complete? Can be fairly expensive to replace if both heat exchangers and the rear silencer need to be replaced.

- Driveshaft: Excessive movement, split CV boots and leaks

- Wheel bearings: Excessive play and rumbling noises. If it's any of the rear wheel bearings then it could turn out to be expensive (which is what happened to me). You can sometimes pick this up when you are driving it.

- Steering: Does the van wander when trying to keep it in a straight line?

- Brakes: Does it stop in a straight line? Are there any leaks?

The engine on it should give you very little trouble at all and are generally pretty quiet (my one is anyway).

Anyway those were a few general pointers and hope this will help.

[Bowton Lad]

Hi foz.foz, I have just sent the seller of the ebay camper a message requesting some more photos & asking where abouts it is located. If it is close to where I live I will try to go & have a look at it.

Going off the photos I would expect the camper to sell for between £2,000-£3,000, & to be more precise probably around £2,400-£2,500.
The interior lets it down, it's hard to tell if the vinyl is starting to peel off
the cupboards etc. They do look as if they have been hand painted over the original finish. The rear seat/bed is conveniently covered up with the white travel blanket/throw so you can't see the original covering.

Prices are lower at the moment but in another 6-8 weeks they will rise again before peaking in the summer. Have a good look round & as others have said don't forget to read the wiki.

[kathyshack]

also, if you're handy, you might also consider a panel van to convert to a camper yourself. You can pick these up cheaper quite often, and then get a hightop fitted if thats what you're after. Could end up with something done to your own taste then...

[Mocki]

contact Sukio27 -(click here for link) on here, he has a hitop camper for sale near your budget...... and it is a good un

[dalmationman]

Hi
Why not send a PM to hakunamutata.
He's based in Leicester.
Not met hime yet but we have spoke a bit on the ohone and he certainly seems to know his stuff.
Nice guy too, sure he will help you to look at a van if its local.