Club 80-90 Forums

Hello all - another newbie question

I'm looking for a van and top of my list was a westy hightop. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be many suitable ones about at the moment and they do also seem to command top dollar

So, I've noticed a bunch of nice looking caravelles around in various states of conversion. I'm thinking I could pick the best one and get a timber tech hightop fitted + maybe get them to bring the conversion up to scratch. Probably all for less $$ than a westy. So, how does the timber tech hightop compare to the westy one? I need it primarily for the kids to sleep in but also for extra storage space.

Would a converted caravelle be worth less than an equivilent proper conversion or worse, worth less than a standard caravelle?

Alot of these late caravelles happen to be 2.1 DJ motors, so I'm guessing those will only do early 20's mpg. Are the DJ's less desirable than the turbo diesels?

Are automatics reliable?

Any and all advice appreciated...


Cheers

Timbertech's roofs are the very best new roofs available, probably among the best of all the hightops accomodation and storage wise.

The DJ is a fine, relatively powerfull engine ... gas it and get the £ for £ equivalent of mid 30's to the gallon.

Ian.

My 2.1 dj timbertec hightop caravelle conversion.



jed

oh and caravelle was just a trim level,, a bit like ghia in ford cars i think

I think our mirtle might have that high top, it is a big un, i have another camper with a smaller high top i feel a bit crampt in the upstairs bedroom..

nice windows

_robin wrote:Hello all - another newbie question

I'm looking for a van and top of my list was a westy hightop. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be many suitable ones about at the moment and they do also seem to command top dollar



Would a converted caravelle be worth less than an equivilent proper conversion or worse, worth less than a standard caravelle?





Any and all advice appreciated...


Cheers

a converted velle will always be a converted velle. you may spend a lot of money buying and converting it which you wont recoup on resale

however a westy will always be a westy

Velles have the factory fitted windows rather than the converted panel vans cut out windows in 'pro' conversions. A converted velle or a converted panel van? if its done well a velle would in theory be better, maybe get one with the big sun roof (hen teeth) to save cutting the top.

Ok, say I spend 5-6k all in on buying and converting a late model caravelle, incuding the roof. Would the end result be worth the outlay?

Hi Robin,
If you're buying your van as a commodity, to make or hold as much money as possible, you're best bet is either an overpriced westy or a high top off ebay when the weather gets a bit colder. I think that the question of whether any modification is worth the outlay is more than just re-sale value. A lot of people here change and modify their vans for their own tastes and pleasure.

Buy it to use it, holiday in it, swear at it but most of all to enjoy it. The fact they generally hold their value is merely a happy coincidence. The work you do is richly rewarded by the times you'll have away in it.

If you want an investment buy gold.

Ian.

Thats precisely what I intend to do! My only worry is that the wife & kids dont take to camping and so then I end up selling it on pretty soon after buying/converting. Thats why i'm asking about values. Hopefully it will all work out fine and I'll be hanging on to it for years to come.

your t25 will appreciate in general terms compare it to an off the forecourt new car etc and your quids in.
use it for picnics, trips to the countryside, beach, shows, general just having a ride out and you will find the pleasure that one of these vans brings.
Happy smiling people driving in different directions wave as they understand the freedom given by their trusty t25.
Meet other vw owners always ready for a chat about their escapades and far flung travels share knowledge that no other car ownership will bring live life love life ENJOY your t25 but most of all wear sunscreen

ps the wife and kids will soon learn to love the closeness that a family day, weekend, week, month away will bring.

_robin wrote:Thats precisely what I intend to do! My only worry is that the wife & kids dont take to camping and so then I end up selling it on pretty soon after buying/converting. Thats why i'm asking about values. Hopefully it will all work out fine and I'll be hanging on to it for years to come.

you cant really put a cash value on these things because they are more like a family member when youve been out camping a few times. if space is an issue for the family, you can put an awning on it or take a tent for the kids. and if your a sociable type, get your free membership sorted out. then you can see the bits of the forum with the club camps in. usually at least one a month and you can bring the tribe along to see what they are really like in the flesh. that should be good enough to see if the rest of the family will go for it before you outlay 5 or 6k.

rick&ang wrote: you can bring the tribe along to see what they are really like in the flesh. that should be good enough to see if the rest of the family will go for it before you outlay 5 or 6k.

OH YES !!

Ian