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Former motorhomer - looking at a Cali Ocean

SpuffingtonMe

SpuffingtonMe

Lifetime VIP Member
Messages
75
Location
Saffron Walden, Essex
Vehicle
Grand California 600
Hi - a bit of a lurker on here, thought I’d finally say hello as I inch towards taking the plunge and buying a T6.1 Cali Ocean.
Bit about me - I’ve been a Motorhome owner for the last 8yrs or so since my daughter was very little. Started off with an ancient Rimor Superbrig (bag of spanners), then upgraded to an early noughties Merc Hymer Starline. I then got divorced and spent around six cold months living in the Hymer before buying myself a 9m long, 6t Concorde Charisma which I lived in both in U.K. and Germany for about 3yrs.
During that time I went on snowboarding holidays in it, did the NC500 twice, travelled all over France and Germany in it and across Holland and the Lake District too. Loved it but after returning to the U.K., settling down with my new Partner, buying a house and having a young son recently, the time and money to look after an old girl like the Concorde waned and we sold her about six months ago.
9A6A2C9E-032A-45EA-B0B6-08EE98A7C561.jpeg
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In parallel to owning the Concorde, my Partner bought a Westfalia KeplerOne on a T6 when we were living in Germany. That provided huge fun camping on the Rhein and Mosel during long weekends (stones throw from Frankfurt where we met). We imported that to the U.K. when we moved back but quickly realised that having both Concorde and Kepler meant we were barely using either of them properly, so that got sold 18months ago.

D9DF32AB-953A-4C37-85B8-41F0E2C61086.jpeg
C24F9B12-7859-48E6-8886-6BB6B21C035D.jpeg

So here I am - for the first time in 8yrs I’m without a vehicle I can sleep in and as much as I love my 6months old BMW X5, I desperately want the freedom and flexibility of a Campervan.

I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many different types of Motorhome and the self sufficiency of the Kepler and although I’d excluded the California previously due to lack of toilet / hot water / space, I now think that the type of usage we’ll have going forward is exactly what will suit a Cali rather than anything else.

In short I think it will suit the following:

not very regular camping (pain in the backside with 15month old son)
  • Regular mountain biking excursions on the weekends - having a warm base to come back to / and change in
  • Day van for trips to the coast with the family or hiking across the U.K.
  • Self sufficient on long journeys with kids in tow
  • Occasional night away with my 9yr old daughter for some quality daddy daughter time
  • Practical daily driver - no storage issues which I had with the Motorhome being in a specialist storage yard 30mins drive away.


Anyone done similar in terms of a move away from motorhomes?
I think we’ll get another Concorde or a Morelo in due course but probably more likely when the kids are a lot older and we’re closer to retirement and have more time to tour. In the meantime I think more of a day van suits the lifestyle with young kids.

I’m going to poke around one next weekend and then look to place a factory order for delivery next year. Some good deals from Drive the Deal and AutoeBid (£7.5-8k off list).

Look forward to hanging out here and learning from those with Cali’s.
 
Hi - a bit of a lurker on here, thought I’d finally say hello as I inch towards taking the plunge and buying a T6.1 Cali Ocean.
Bit about me - I’ve been a Motorhome owner for the last 8yrs or so since my daughter was very little. Started off with an ancient Rimor Superbrig (bag of spanners), then upgraded to an early noughties Merc Hymer Starline. I then got divorced and spent around six cold months living in the Hymer before buying myself a 9m long, 6t Concorde Charisma which I lived in both in U.K. and Germany for about 3yrs.
During that time I went on snowboarding holidays in it, did the NC500 twice, travelled all over France and Germany in it and across Holland and the Lake District too. Loved it but after returning to the U.K., settling down with my new Partner, buying a house and having a young son recently, the time and money to look after an old girl like the Concorde waned and we sold her about six months ago.
View attachment 88720
View attachment 88721
In parallel to owning the Concorde, my Partner bought a Westfalia KeplerOne on a T6 when we were living in Germany. That provided huge fun camping on the Rhein and Mosel during long weekends (stones throw from Frankfurt where we met). We imported that to the U.K. when we moved back but quickly realised that having both Concorde and Kepler meant we were barely using either of them properly, so that got sold 18months ago.

View attachment 88722
View attachment 88729

So here I am - for the first time in 8yrs I’m without a vehicle I can sleep in and as much as I love my 6months old BMW X5, I desperately want the freedom and flexibility of a Campervan.

I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many different types of Motorhome and the self sufficiency of the Kepler and although I’d excluded the California previously due to lack of toilet / hot water / space, I now think that the type of usage we’ll have going forward is exactly what will suit a Cali rather than anything else.

In short I think it will suit the following:

not very regular camping (pain in the backside with 15month old son)
  • Regular mountain biking excursions on the weekends - having a warm base to come back to / and change in
  • Day van for trips to the coast with the family or hiking across the U.K.
  • Self sufficient on long journeys with kids in tow
  • Occasional night away with my 9yr old daughter for some quality daddy daughter time
  • Practical daily driver - no storage issues which I had with the Motorhome being in a specialist storage yard 30mins drive away.


Anyone done similar in terms of a move away from motorhomes?
I think we’ll get another Concorde or a Morelo in due course but probably more likely when the kids are a lot older and we’re closer to retirement and have more time to tour. In the meantime I think more of a day van suits the lifestyle with young kids.

I’m going to poke around one next weekend and then look to place a factory order for delivery next year. Some good deals from Drive the Deal and AutoeBid (£7.5-8k off list).

Look forward to hanging out here and learning from those with Cali’s.
IMO the Cali would be great for all of those things. Its a good daily drive and great for days out. But I cant help thinking that its a heck of a price
 
IMO the Cali would be great for all of those things. Its a good daily drive and great for days out. But I cant help thinking that its a heck of a price
Sorry didnt finish that reply ! It seems an expensive purchase for just those uses - I cant help but think there must be cheaper alternatives.
 
Hi - a bit of a lurker on here, thought I’d finally say hello as I inch towards taking the plunge and buying a T6.1 Cali Ocean.
Bit about me - I’ve been a Motorhome owner for the last 8yrs or so since my daughter was very little. Started off with an ancient Rimor Superbrig (bag of spanners), then upgraded to an early noughties Merc Hymer Starline. I then got divorced and spent around six cold months living in the Hymer before buying myself a 9m long, 6t Concorde Charisma which I lived in both in U.K. and Germany for about 3yrs.
During that time I went on snowboarding holidays in it, did the NC500 twice, travelled all over France and Germany in it and across Holland and the Lake District too. Loved it but after returning to the U.K., settling down with my new Partner, buying a house and having a young son recently, the time and money to look after an old girl like the Concorde waned and we sold her about six months ago.
View attachment 88720
View attachment 88721
In parallel to owning the Concorde, my Partner bought a Westfalia KeplerOne on a T6 when we were living in Germany. That provided huge fun camping on the Rhein and Mosel during long weekends (stones throw from Frankfurt where we met). We imported that to the U.K. when we moved back but quickly realised that having both Concorde and Kepler meant we were barely using either of them properly, so that got sold 18months ago.

View attachment 88722
View attachment 88729

So here I am - for the first time in 8yrs I’m without a vehicle I can sleep in and as much as I love my 6months old BMW X5, I desperately want the freedom and flexibility of a Campervan.

I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many different types of Motorhome and the self sufficiency of the Kepler and although I’d excluded the California previously due to lack of toilet / hot water / space, I now think that the type of usage we’ll have going forward is exactly what will suit a Cali rather than anything else.

In short I think it will suit the following:

not very regular camping (pain in the backside with 15month old son)
  • Regular mountain biking excursions on the weekends - having a warm base to come back to / and change in
  • Day van for trips to the coast with the family or hiking across the U.K.
  • Self sufficient on long journeys with kids in tow
  • Occasional night away with my 9yr old daughter for some quality daddy daughter time
  • Practical daily driver - no storage issues which I had with the Motorhome being in a specialist storage yard 30mins drive away.


Anyone done similar in terms of a move away from motorhomes?
I think we’ll get another Concorde or a Morelo in due course but probably more likely when the kids are a lot older and we’re closer to retirement and have more time to tour. In the meantime I think more of a day van suits the lifestyle with young kids.

I’m going to poke around one next weekend and then look to place a factory order for delivery next year. Some good deals from Drive the Deal and AutoeBid (£7.5-8k off list).

Look forward to hanging out here and learning from those with Cali’s.
Interesting experience- thanks for sharing!! And I don’t think you’d regret getting a Cali. Go for it :)
 
Hello,

We have a 2012 Cali SE 180 and considered changing it recently for a motor home. After looking at several motor homes, we have decided to keep the Cali for all the reasons you have listed. It is an excellent all round van that functions as a Campervan as well as an every day vehicle.

On trips away, the Cali can get to all the remote spots and our dog loves the space and freedom it provides. Goo d luck with your search.

Martin
 
Most people here are going the other way, but some come back. You sound experienced enough to make the right decision, and your list of uses sound ideal for a Cali.
I do think it's a very expensive luxury if its not going to be some form of daily driver.
 
Most people here are going the other way, but some come back. You sound experienced enough to make the right decision, and your list of uses sound ideal for a Cali.
I do think it's a very expensive luxury if its not going to be some form of daily driver.
Ours isn’t a daily driver, we prefer to keep the Cali for proper outings, long distance and day trips. That way to us it always feels special when we climb in it as we know we are off on a trip not just going to the local supermarket or the tip. Does that make Cali an expensive luxury? possibly as we pay out on a second vehicle but as with everything in life you pay your money and make your choice.
 
Hi - a bit of a lurker on here, thought I’d finally say hello as I inch towards taking the plunge and buying a T6.1 Cali Ocean.
Bit about me - I’ve been a Motorhome owner for the last 8yrs or so since my daughter was very little. Started off with an ancient Rimor Superbrig (bag of spanners), then upgraded to an early noughties Merc Hymer Starline. I then got divorced and spent around six cold months living in the Hymer before buying myself a 9m long, 6t Concorde Charisma which I lived in both in U.K. and Germany for about 3yrs.
During that time I went on snowboarding holidays in it, did the NC500 twice, travelled all over France and Germany in it and across Holland and the Lake District too. Loved it but after returning to the U.K., settling down with my new Partner, buying a house and having a young son recently, the time and money to look after an old girl like the Concorde waned and we sold her about six months ago.
View attachment 88720
View attachment 88721
In parallel to owning the Concorde, my Partner bought a Westfalia KeplerOne on a T6 when we were living in Germany. That provided huge fun camping on the Rhein and Mosel during long weekends (stones throw from Frankfurt where we met). We imported that to the U.K. when we moved back but quickly realised that having both Concorde and Kepler meant we were barely using either of them properly, so that got sold 18months ago.

View attachment 88722
View attachment 88729

So here I am - for the first time in 8yrs I’m without a vehicle I can sleep in and as much as I love my 6months old BMW X5, I desperately want the freedom and flexibility of a Campervan.

I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many different types of Motorhome and the self sufficiency of the Kepler and although I’d excluded the California previously due to lack of toilet / hot water / space, I now think that the type of usage we’ll have going forward is exactly what will suit a Cali rather than anything else.

In short I think it will suit the following:

not very regular camping (pain in the backside with 15month old son)
  • Regular mountain biking excursions on the weekends - having a warm base to come back to / and change in
  • Day van for trips to the coast with the family or hiking across the U.K.
  • Self sufficient on long journeys with kids in tow
  • Occasional night away with my 9yr old daughter for some quality daddy daughter time
  • Practical daily driver - no storage issues which I had with the Motorhome being in a specialist storage yard 30mins drive away.


Anyone done similar in terms of a move away from motorhomes?
I think we’ll get another Concorde or a Morelo in due course but probably more likely when the kids are a lot older and we’re closer to retirement and have more time to tour. In the meantime I think more of a day van suits the lifestyle with young kids.

I’m going to poke around one next weekend and then look to place a factory order for delivery next year. Some good deals from Drive the Deal and AutoeBid (£7.5-8k off list).

Look forward to hanging out here and learning from those with Cali’s.
Are you thinking Ocean? Could a Beach with a camping pod when needed be a more versatile option for your needs?
 
Anyone done similar in terms of a move away from motorhomes?
Congratulations! and no, recently more the other way around :D
But a California will certainly serve well for what you list, just: why not to make far and longer journeys? We practically raised our two children (now 7 and 3 years old) in our small camervan (T4 westfalia california) It's perfectly doable.
So, sold the westfalia Kepler One? Wow, a very fine campervan that is! We looked at one but prefer the Kepler Six… and ordered a california coast for all the benefits this one has ;):thumb
Oh, you could try Belgium for a trip :welcome
Greetings
Calibusje
 
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Thanks for the warm welcome.

By way of an update, we spent our first time in a Cali on Saturday at VW Kettering; pouring over a T6.1. Kids loved it - 9yr old virtually immovable from the roof bed and the 15m old pottering between the seats downstairs.

We initially set out to order from factory but the wait being what it is and the lack of value in the used T6.1 made us look to the T6.

After enquiring on a number of approved used, I just couldn’t get my head around the history of the vans and take it or leave it attitude of the salesman.

I then took a look at some Indy’s - again the vans are an unknown quantity and I was left feeling a bit cold from the way in which I was dealt with.

Fast forward to today and I reached out to a member on here and spent a lovely 30mins talking about their van. We’ve agreed a meet up this weekend for a viewing and subject to that confirming what I think I know, then hopefully we’ll soon be Cali owners.

The different between the Cali & KeplerOne was like night and day. The quality of the fittings, the extra space from removing the corridor and better use of storage really blew us away.

Can’t wait to own our own and start exploring with it! :)
 
Hi everyone again - just to say I’m now the proud owner of a beautiful MY2018 T6 Ocean I picked up yesterday from Durham Dales from another Member on here.

A rather adventurous trip back - decided to overnight in the Yorkshire Dales to save us an hour or so on our trip South today. This however turned out to be complete folly. We got stuck in snow yesterday outside Pately Bridge (thank you local Farmer for the help in getting up the hill!) and today almost flooded in at Burnsall.

The 230mile drive back to N Essex took 8hrs today instead of the normal 3.5hrs.

However Chloe performed brilliantly and is already one of the family. Can’t wait to have more adventures (hopefully less stressful!) and also can’t wait to get my detailing gear out. She’s in immaculate condition but I’ll have her looking showroom the first opportunity I get.

Now spending far too muc money on accessories!

A few pics from the trip…
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7E0F8536-C101-42C7-BF65-3894470FFA67.jpeg
 
Hi everyone again - just to say I’m now the proud owner of a beautiful MY2018 T6 Ocean I picked up yesterday from Durham Dales from another Member on here.

A rather adventurous trip back - decided to overnight in the Yorkshire Dales to save us an hour or so on our trip South today. This however turned out to be complete folly. We got stuck in snow yesterday outside Pately Bridge (thank you local Farmer for the help in getting up the hill!) and today almost flooded in at Burnsall.

The 230mile drive back to N Essex took 8hrs today instead of the normal 3.5hrs.

However Chloe performed brilliantly and is already one of the family. Can’t wait to have more adventures (hopefully less stressful!) and also can’t wait to get my detailing gear out. She’s in immaculate condition but I’ll have her looking showroom the first opportunity I get.

Now spending far too muc money on accessories!

A few pics from the trip…
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View attachment 89447
Beautiful and congratulations!
The Yorkshire Dales: I had an unforgettable drunken night there a few years ago when we visited the Tan Hill Inn and stayed overnight in our T4 california. What a region!
 
Thanks! Delighted with it. Looking forward to exploring the vehicle itself as well as in it with some trips away with the kids over the coming weeks.
 
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