My first ever VW

[WelshGas]

Got my first VW , my SE on the 1st December 2014. It is now 1 yr 1 month and 5 days old and has 25,457 miles on the clock and 98 + nights camping throughout the year and every month and every possible type of weather.

 

[Borris]

It's actually nice to feel welcomed so thanks Tuesday (ordering date) can not come round quick enough now just out of interest anybody else got the pearl black paint with black awning and rail

Yes, I bought our new Pearl Black T5 SE 180 4 motion last October avec black awning. It was an ex demo so it came in black. Whilst it wouldn't have been our choice it has since grown on us and now I love it. It looks brilliant when clean and I have learnt to not worry about it when its filthy.
We didn't hire first either, that's for girls! Just do it.

 

[2into1]

We didn't hire first either, that's for girls! Just do it.

Best ask the members who came on here with a big confident splash only to sell it a month after delivery..."water tanks never used", "mattress still has polythene on" etc.

 

[Borris]

Best ask the members who came on here with a big confident splash only to sell it a month after delivery..."water tanks never used", "mattress still has polythene on" etc.

Your advice on this thread is sound.
From what I have read, most people do not enter into Cali ownership lightly and if after all of their research (in most cases many months/years), there is still doubt, then to hire before you buy may help them to make their decision. This is purely a matter of personal choice. But at some point people have to make that decision whether to buy or not to buy.

However, just like test driving a vehicle, hiring a Cali will only give a brief flavour of what the vehicle is like to live with. We didn't hire first and now with the benefit of hindsight I can see that because it takes a good while to get into a good disciplined routine in the compact Cali, my initial introduction may not have shown the vehicle in its best light. Whilst hiring may help in the decision making process, it will not stop a few people realising that after purchase, a Cali is not for them. After all, it's not just the Cali people are signing up to but the life style as well and it may, in some cases, be the second factor that prompts rejection.

I don't know how many people sell their Calis a month after delivery but I suspect that it is a very rare occurrence. In any case your assumption seems to be that when this has occured the owners have got rid of it because it didn't suit. Whilst this may be the case its worth considering that there are also many other possible reasons why someone might do this e.g change in personal or financial circumstances.

If it hasn't been done before, it might make an interesting pole/thread, Who hired before they bought?

In the end, if you really want a Cali it comes down to just going for it.

 

[SimonB]

It's actually nice to feel welcomed so thanks Tuesday (ordering date) can not come round quick enough now just out of interest anybody else got the pearl black paint with black awning and rail

Like Borris, I have pearl black paint, black awning and also black sidebars. Again it was a demonstrator and possibly wouldn't have been our first choice. The colour has now grown on us and we now love it.

I go up to Snowdonia a lot and the weather is somewhat less than kind, from time to time. The Cali is brilliant for camping in comfort in wild weather. We picked ours up at the end of October, just when the Indian Summer stopped and the Monsoons started.
I have had a week or more away each month, often in high winds and rain, but have never been so warm & comfortable and had such fun whilst camping.
The van has rocked in the tail end of some of the storms that hit the Lakes, but to be able to move on without folding up a lot of wet nylon has been an unexpected delight.
The size of the vehicle means you can go where you possibly couldn't with a caravan and you can tuck it away behind buildings for shelter if the winds get too strong. You can drive it as an everyday vehicle to the supermarket or the wilds of Derbyshire. A fantastically versatile vehicle and you can choose the view you want.
.

 

[2into1]

In the end, if you really want a Cali it comes down to just going for it.

This is clearly true, but your logic is flawed (despite the number of likes you'll attract). Spending £55k on something you've only driven around the block in is an unnecessary risk. If you decide it doesn't suit, you are looking at an £8k (?) loss from brand new if you hand it back.
You can hire one for £200 for a weekend. Treat it as a cheap holiday before placing your order.
Or buy a 2nd hand one privately in December and sell it for a profit in March if it doesn't suit (or if it does suit, sell it when your new one arrives).

 

[Rhyddin]

It's getting a bit convoluted now, as we all suggest how someone should buy and how other people are overly careless or cautious. Arguably, a test drive isn't enough but, in a comparison to everyday living, either is a weekend away. Every purchase of something like a vehicle carries a degree of risk of suitability, economy, etc.

The science of buying is that we recognise a need, see if there is a solution and, if it suits us, emotions (supported by varying degrees of logic) generally drive the decision. However, we're all slightly different; some people are spontaneous, finding overthinking things to be a waste of precious time, while others find that reckless. 'Risk' is a very personal assessment.

We're all products of our experiences and I am in the 'life's too short not to jump in, even if it means the odd mistake' camp, as crazy as that may sound to some people for a £50k purchase. You can always get more money but you'll never get the time back! (Mind you, I'm 25 years off retirement, which inevitably influences my attitudes on money and probably influences my perception of risk)

Whatever works!

 

[Batmobile]

Aside from everyone's tastes and tolerances being different, we all have different approaches to risk. Equally, we all have different reasons for wanting one, different alternative uses for the money required and different financial positions in the first place.

I have not driven one. I have not even been inside one. But at the same time I do not feel I am taking any risk at all, because of why I want one and the process I have been through to get there. My circumstances will not necessarily be comparable to someone else's, however.

 

[larrylamb]

We hired twice before ordering, two cracking holidays that made the decision easy. Hiring helped massively when it came to picking extras/essentials etc and more importantly getting my wife on board. I would not recommend ordering a campervan without some experience of this style of camping.

 

[Borris]

This is clearly true, but your logic is flawed (despite the number of likes you'll attract). Spending £55k on something you've only driven around the block in is an unnecessary risk. If you decide it doesn't suit, you are looking at an £8k (?) loss from brand new if you hand it back.
You can hire one for £200 for a weekend. Treat it as a cheap holiday before placing your order.
Or buy a 2nd hand one privately in December and sell it for a profit in March if it doesn't suit (or if it does suit, sell it when your new one arrives).

Spending 55k on any vehicle has risks attached and those risks will very often still there after you have had your test drive.
I agree that for anyone who has doubt then renting may help. However my point was that even if you hire one for a weekend it probably won't stop the odd person from rejected the Cali lifestyle after only a short while and this may be for a variety of reasons.

You can hire a holiday cottage for a week and have a spendid time but that doesn't necessarily mean that you would enjoy living in it full time.

The only way that you are going to find out for certain is to buy one.

 

[Freeley]

We borrowed our in law's autosleeper for a weekend and loved the experience, it made it a no brainer for us.

Sent from my Galaxy S6

 

[Batmobile]

Its also worth noting that the Beach and SE/Ocean are not the same thing either. The decision making is therefore quite different for purchasers of the two variants. Arguably the former has more 'general utility' and the latter is more specialised. I suspect many Beach users have a slightly wider range of applications for the vehicle. Buying an Ocean, for example, with expectations of long periods on the road, lots of time sleeping and eating etc brings many challenges and tests the owners' tolerances and preferences to a much greater degree.

I may not be typical, but suspect there are many Beach owners like me who are thinking 'outdoor activities (place to warm up and keep dry, change, write/blog (in my case) etc), 7 seater flexibility, very occasional van, great for camping (with tent, workable without tent and great for crashing in if one needs to) and fab for days out, beach trips, touring etc'. I think an Ocean is more likely not to be the only vehicle and to therefore do what is precisely expected of it well enough to justify the considerable cost.

 

[Rhyddin]

Its also worth noting that the Beach and SE/Ocean are not the same thing either. The decision making is therefore quite different for purchasers of the two variants. Arguably the former has more 'general utility' and the latter is more specialised. I suspect many Beach users have a slightly wider range of applications for the vehicle. Buying an Ocean, for example, with expectations of long periods on the road, lots of time sleeping and eating etc brings many challenges and tests the owners' tolerances and preferences to a much greater degree.

I may not be typical, but suspect there are many Beach owners like me who are thinking 'outdoor activities (place to warm up and keep dry, change, write/blog (in my case) etc), 7 seater flexibility, very occasional van, great for camping (with tent, workable without tent and great for crashing in if one needs to) and fab for days out, beach trips, touring etc'. I think an Ocean is more likely not to be the only vehicle and to therefore do what is precisely expected of it well enough to justify the considerable cost.

Spot on! (A simple 'agree' didn't seem enough)

 

[larrylamb]

Its also worth noting that the Beach and SE/Ocean are not the same thing either. The decision making is therefore quite different for purchasers of the two variants. Arguably the former has more 'general utility' and the latter is more specialised. I suspect many Beach users have a slightly wider range of applications for the vehicle. Buying an Ocean, for example, with expectations of long periods on the road, lots of time sleeping and eating etc brings many challenges and tests the owners' tolerances and preferences to a much greater degree.

I may not be typical, but suspect there are many Beach owners like me who are thinking 'outdoor activities (place to warm up and keep dry, change, write/blog (in my case) etc), 7 seater flexibility, very occasional van, great for camping (with tent, workable without tent and great for crashing in if one needs to) and fab for days out, beach trips, touring etc'. I think an Ocean is more likely not to be the only vehicle and to therefore do what is precisely expected of it well enough to justify the considerable cost.

Correct, the SE requires considerably more thought, depends if you want a campervan or an mpv.

 

[2into1]

In the interest of the debate, I'm trying to remember the name of the phenomenon that generally makes our brains happy with a decision once taken, no matter how long it was agonised over. Does anyone know?

 

[Lewis]

In the interest of the debate, I'm trying to remember the name of the phenomenon that generally makes our brains happy with a decision once taken, no matter how long it was agonised over. Does anyone know?

Not sure it's exactly what you mean but it made me think of the psychological argument about the Paradox of Choice. If you limit the number of variables in your decision making process then you're more likely to commit to a decision and be happy with the fact you've taken it.

Too many options or opportunities to avoid commitment reduce the overall satisfaction - a Psychology teacher colleague of mine describes it as 'paralysis of choice' - take the choices away and people are more likely to be happy.

I'm inclined to agree with this but I have to concede that there are a lot of counter arguments that may debunk it.

 

[Neilgbj]

Its also worth noting that the Beach and SE/Ocean are not the same thing either. The decision making is therefore quite different for purchasers of the two variants. Arguably the former has more 'general utility' and the latter is more specialised. I suspect many Beach users have a slightly wider range of applications for the vehicle. Buying an Ocean, for example, with expectations of long periods on the road, lots of time sleeping and eating etc brings many challenges and tests the owners' tolerances and preferences to a much greater degree.

I may not be typical, but suspect there are many Beach owners like me who are thinking 'outdoor activities (place to warm up and keep dry, change, write/blog (in my case) etc), 7 seater flexibility, very occasional van, great for camping (with tent, workable without tent and great for crashing in if one needs to) and fab for days out, beach trips, touring etc'. I think an Ocean is more likely not to be the only vehicle and to therefore do what is precisely expected of it well enough to justify the considerable cost.

Erm....agree both versions potentially offer different benefits....we have an SE and do lots of 'outdoor activities' (sailing, cycling etc etc) and use our Cali to support activities whether it's just for the day or for longer periods. Both the Beach (main benefit extra seats?) and SE are excellent and are very flexible and perhaps we shouldn't be too prescriptive....

 

[Californiaman]

Sorry, I always think of this when someone says phenomenon

 

[kave]

Interesting, I fugured I was the only one who ordered a brand new without even seen one. I have tested various transporters and multivans and I like the elevated position. I know the most reasonable thing to do is buy and old one at half the price, but I am following my heart. Once when I bought a car I went cheap and bought one almost without an engine (to save money). That became really expensive exchanging it after just one year.

 

[WelshGas]

I never hired one before we bought. 20 min test drive in a DSG Caravelle and signed on the dotted line.
Haven't regretted it since, and I'm not a ( have a camper so must camp in it at all costs ) person. We just use it for everything. CL sites, CC and C&CC sites, private sites, wild camping, 4 and 5* hotels, visiting all over including Central London and Europe.
Saved a fortune compared with train travel but then I just enjoy driving, even more so now we have the California. If and when I trade in for a T7 it will probably have a 100,000 miles of memories on the Milometer. Who cares.

 

[GrannyJen]

Hi Andie,

Welcome, congratulations and you will love it.

It's also my first VW and I love it.

 

[Bellesca]

We didn't hire before buying either.
Regrets? Just that we didn't buy one earlier. Love my California