Page 1 of 2

Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 21 Jan 2009, 21:24
by T+T
Hi all, we're quite new to this, looking to buy a camper to tour Europe for around 4months this summer, seen this one on ebay, we think it looks good but were wondering if anyone had any hints or tips or can see anything glaringly wrong with it!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Teresa and Tom :D

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 26_fvi%3D1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 21 Jan 2009, 21:30
by R0B
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0321646775...its bodywork thats the most important thing when buying one of these vans....

oh and welcome to the club :ok

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 21 Jan 2009, 21:42
by T+T
Thanks for the quick reply!! Really glad we found this site, just been reading through some convos and everyone seems really friendly and helpful!! Thanks for the tip on bodywork!! We're hoping to check it out on Sunday, anyone live in York and fancy a trip to see it and offer their expert advice?? or is that just too cheeky lol??

T+T :D

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 21 Jan 2009, 21:43
by windysurfer
Have a read of this
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ma ... ive_Owners

The only thing that would really worry me on that one is

"nearside / Offside (Sill) Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded"

But if the price is right or you can weld

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 21 Jan 2009, 21:53
by R0B
take a magnet with you.and craftily try it on the rear arches for filler.because replacing these means stripping out the rear cupboards..

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 09:46
by lloyd
Seller's claim of 35mpg is :rofl On a good day 22-24mpg at 50-60mph cruising for a full tank. No way would can you get 35mpg. With that, what else has seller exaggerated? Looks like fairly recent paint, don't see rear cushion for bed,
Nearside & Offside front hadlamps beam image kick up to offside
Sounds like left hand drive headlights as I don't think quad headlights were not stock in '82.

IMHO it will be blood sucking money pit. Lots of MOT failures that could get expensive. Plan on spending another £1000+ to get it legal and ready to travel.

Check out others on bay of fleas: Item numbers Z330302401371, 220347723697 needs exhaust (£400), 180321583238, 130282549378, 300287523504

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 10:36
by T+T
Another friend of ours has recommended forgetting about this one too, so think we'll giv it a miss. thanks for your help and i'll def check those links out. So new to this, think we're gonna need all the help we can get lol :D

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 10:44
by eatcustard
I would run away, seems like a cash cow to me, that is why they are selling.
Buy cheap expect to pay £££ to bring it up to scratch.

they have lied about MPG, so what else are they lieing about???

If you are unsure run forest run......

I just paid a grand for mine and that will take another £4000 to bring it up to a good van

Keep looking its a buyers market

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 13:17
by T+T
Yeh, think we're gonna forget bout that one!! we're willing to pay what we need to in order to gt a decent one, jus keep looking for now i suppose!! If anyone hears of any, pass them this way!!

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 13:30
by lloyd
Have you looked at our "For Sale - Vehicles" forum?

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 15:25
by T+T
yeh started havin a browse over that earlier, i'll look into it in more detail later because im at work at the mo. thanks!!

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 22 Jan 2009, 17:50
by Madwitch
Hi T&T

Welcome to the club. If you live in York why not pop over to one of the meets just to get to know a few people and have a look at some really good (and bad!) vans? That way you could get some idea of what to look for. You could come just for the day - we're really friendly (well most of us are :rollin )

There's a meet in Sarf Yorkshire (not too far away from York) this weekend, or if you are still looking, there is Tickled Pickering at the beginning of April. Have a look in Events in Members only (if you can't see this you need to pm Mocki to get proper membership!)

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 23 Jan 2009, 09:59
by thegamwellsmythes
Hello,

Are you after a VW Camper to take on your four month trip and then sell on or are you planning to keep it for the long term?

I would have thought this would dictate the things you are looking for in a camper.

If it is short term use (ie the four months and then sell on) you could be after mechanical reliability and a valid MOT for the time you want it.

If it is long term (ie the four month trip and then another next year) go with the bodywork as other people have said as it will cost you in the long run.

Hope you get a good bus and have a great trip.

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 23 Jan 2009, 10:47
by T+T
Madwitch wrote:Hi T&T

Welcome to the club. If you live in York why not pop over to one of the meets just to get to know a few people and have a look at some really good (and bad!) vans? That way you could get some idea of what to look for. You could come just for the day - we're really friendly (well most of us are :rollin )

There's a meet in Sarf Yorkshire (not too far away from York) this weekend, or if you are still looking, there is Tickled Pickering at the beginning of April. Have a look in Events in Members only (if you can't see this you need to pm Mocki to get proper membership!)

Tht sounds like a good idea!! We're actually based in huddersfiled, Yorks not too far from us but do you know of any cloaser?? We have applyed for membership to the club but it says it could take up to 28 days

Re: Any tips on buying our first camper??

Posted: 23 Jan 2009, 10:49
by T+T
thegamwellsmythes wrote:Hello,

Are you after a VW Camper to take on your four month trip and then sell on or are you planning to keep it for the long term?

I would have thought this would dictate the things you are looking for in a camper.

If it is short term use (ie the four months and then sell on) you could be after mechanical reliability and a valid MOT for the time you want it.

If it is long term (ie the four month trip and then another next year) go with the bodywork as other people have said as it will cost you in the long run.

Hope you get a good bus and have a great trip.

Thanks for the advice!! I think the plan is to sell when we gt back but I have a feeling we're going to become attached to it lol!! Jus think it might be the only way of getting some money when we gt back so think we'll hav to sell in which case sounds a gd ides to just look for engine reliability etc. Thanks agin!!