I paid 5k for the doka from Stan who had spent an absolute fortune on it getting it tip top. He didnt get back anywhere near what it had cost him and because of that i ended up with a great van thats given me very few problems and i have given it some welly too. So buying a van from an enthusiast like Stan payed off for me although it wasnt dirt cheap it was good value for the money.
On the flip side, i bought the Westy for £1600, cheap as chips you might say. Knew nothing about it and got it from a car auction so anything could have been up with it. It drove Ok thought the engine was some what confusing but we drove it to Nottingham for a weekend away at a bonfire do and it seemed fine. Couple of weeks later and the engine was shagged, gearbox shagged etc and that set me back the best part of £3500, now i have just found out the VC is shagged so thats going to be over £500 i bet

Chuck in another grand for my wheel carrier, new awning etc and the van when the VC is done stands at owing me nearly 7k...... Not so cheap, though it will be a very good van for the money with many new important parts
jed