Would you buy this? How much rust is too much rust?

[toolsntat]

Thanks everyone! Anyone who has already posted on this thread I will defo buy you a coffee (or make you one if I've bought a van by then and it makes it to Newcastle, hah hah here's hoping)!

A x

Did someone mention free coffee
I thought it was too rusty also
Welcome to the club by the way

Did you know I have one for sale (blatant plug)

I'm sure I could shave enough off the price to sort your travelling expenses

Good luck with the hunt anyway.....

Cheers Andy

[Ariadne]

That looks loverrrrly, but... oops... I just bought one! 1998 E-reg Carthago conversion, 1.6 TD, LHD, combination hi-top and pop-top, immaculate bodywork, reconditioned engine, imported from Germany in 2005 with only two owners in it's whole life, one in Deutschland and one here.



I spent three hours picking over it and its paperwork and driving it, with my wonderfully helpful father who has rebuilt various vintage vehicles. Spent a shade over £4k but I think it's worth it (and they were originally asking £5.5k). Owner is genuinely sad to see it go, and keen to stay in touch which I take as a good sign. It's a million miles improvement from the bucket of rust I posted earlier - you can't even compare the two.

So I will be a Dubfest in Newcastle, and also hope to pop in at Biggar (thanks Nicola&Tony). Hopefully not on the back of a tow truck!

I'll put the coffee on.

Any other Carthago owners out there? I gather this is quite a rare model.

A x

[72BUG]

Looks great. Absolute bargain at that money too.

[smudge]

Good things always come to those who wait......

Well done, looks luvly!

[1664]

Now that does look nice

[peasant]

Carthago conversion, combination hi-top and pop-top,

Congrats, that looks really well and Carthago is a good (and expensive) make and that roof is just fab, best of both worlds.
I'd say you got a bargain there.

(and unlike Westfalia, Carthago are still in business, which might come in handy one day)

[Bert2]

I purchased a van a little worse than that 2 years ago as a project and I still have mot got it on the road yet! if you want a van to just drive with little to do then keep away from that van, as soon as the roof area goes internal panels go in areas that you can not see until you take out the internals so If I were you save a little more and get a better van!

[Nicola&Tony]

... I just bought one! 1998 E-reg Carthago conversion, 1.6 TD, LHD, combination hi-top and pop-top, immaculate bodywork, reconditioned engine, imported from Germany in 2005 with only two owners in it's whole life, one in Deutschland and one here.

Congratulations, that looks very tidy, more pics please!

Tony

[uniB]

Congratulations, that looks fantastic – lovely looking van!

[Ariadne]

Hee hee, thanks everyone! The only place I have ever been 'congratulated' for spending loads of money! It makes me laugh that it's the same sentiment as getting married or having a baby - obviously a big moment in one's life. Cooooooool!

I'm picking it up tonight so more pictures to follow later in the week. Touch wood, I think this might have been a lucky find. I'm sure there will be issues that will bring me back down to earth (I guess there always are) but I do feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to look after it properly.

I flogged my Peugeot 206 estate (52 plate, 70k, 1.4 petrol, FSH, long MOT, great condition) to my local garage for a pathetic £1350 yesterday, and despite probably getting £2000 if I'd waited and sold it privately, I don't care! I've got a camper! Beans on toast for the rest of the year but I don't give a to$$.

I am so super-excited I am bouncing off my office walls with a big grin on my face... woe betide anyone who expects me to do any work today! 10 hours and counting...

A xx

[Ali140128]

Nice one, that looks lovely that. Enjoy that first drive home, now there's a nice feeling......

[jamesc76]

The roof on them are brill nice find!

[Bowton Lad]

So I will be a Dubfest in Newcastle, and also hope to pop in at Biggar (thanks Nicola&Tony).

Nice van!

Why not camper overnight at Biggar rather than just ''popping in''?

[Ariadne]

It's finally mine and in my driveway! Well actually I brought it to work with me today because I can't bear to let it out of my sight! First drive was 2 hours through the hills last night to get it home and it drove like a dream, and used much less fuel than my thirsty car. I am stoked! The rev counter worked intermittently and I will get this checked out. I'm also a bit concerned about very slight condensation between the double glazing (yes, double glazing!) on the sliding door window, which I will also try to clean/dry out later. But apart from that, it's all good.

I'd love to overnight in Biggar, and will see what I can do, but I already promised a few people I'd attend other stuff that weekend. It's Spring Fling in Dumfries & Galloway that weekend (hundreds of artists open their studios all over the region - there's some really impressive stuff on show and on sale, and it's a great excuse to drive around our lovely contryside and show off a lovely VW!).

http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

More pics as soon as the rain stops...

A

[72BUG]

I remember the day I picked mine up. I had about a 2 and a half hour drive home and by the time I got back my face hurt from smiling so much. I must have looked demented to people coming the other way.