MattBW
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We thought long and hard over the purchase of the Beach, well ok no we actually didn't. We bought the first one we saw 
. It fitted our active lifestyle, we have dogs, like kayaking and cycling, days out and camping. It seemed a great day vehicle for me but with the versatility for adventures.
After 3 months of Beach (3 seat bench) ownership I've written down some thoughts and comparisons with my old van. I didn't go for a new SE it was out of my budget range and I didn't want a camper as my daily driver anyway.
So I thought I would write down some thoughts and comparisons with my full Campervan.. I have came from a 1985 VW Campervan with full bespoke camping interior so it's been an interesting learning curve. I appreciate it's normal to have a settling in period with a camper, you need to learn how to use it best, you streamline your storage so its the least disruption to your camping experience.
Beach Day to day use
The versatility of the van is simply amazing, we've moved my GF out of her flat in it. We've moved big pieces of furniture, transported a van full of passengers with luggage to airports and train stations. In fact sometimes I regret having it because I constantly get asked to help move things. I've used it for photoshoots as a dressing room/makeup room.
Compared to the T25: Well it's nothing the old van couldn't do, but the old van had a permanent hint of fear that it may stop working at any moment. A car could not do what the Cali does. The new one doesn't have the charm or retro feel that reminds me of my childhood but that's to be expected. The T25 feels right to give a name, the Cali hasn't felt like it suits a name.
There is more rear storage as the new van is front engined. The old one lost some space in the back where the engine bay is. The major reason I got the Beach, was confidence in my camper to go into Europe and it not break down on me. I think I'd need a better setup before I'd want to go camping long term in it.
MPG and engine: The Beach (114ps 5 speed) does around 34-35mpg on my average trip to work and back mixed urban and country driving and 38-40mpg on the a roads and motorways. It feels like driving a car but is quite slow 0-60 about 14 seconds. It felt horrible at first but now I am used to it, its plenty fast enough and as most of the time you're cruising I'm glad of the economy at the cost of a little accelleralation.
Compared to the 4 speed T25, which did 38mpg all day long with the original 1.6d engine. Only downside it couldnt do hills without dropping below HGV cruising speeds which felt horrible and occasionally dangerous (remember the days of slowing down going up inclines?). I upgraded this to a 1.9td engine from a golf and now its more like 29mpg at 65mph but can do steep hills easily. The beach is far quieter and smoother. Definitely wins but you would hope so 30 years later
Storage:
The under seat trays are great and we store our dog related harnesses, the black out curtains and van related stuff. The lack of cupboard space does mean it doesn't really feel like a camper. It certainly hasn't got the cozy homely feel of the T25, definitely colder. It does however feel roomier without the cupboards and such inside.
For camping we use two 64L really useful boxes, which work well but become a pain sliding in and out. The more I use it the more I want some dedicated camper storage (or a pod).You can could perhaps remove the lids of the boxes and put them underneath which means you could lift up the shelf and access them from inside but it is a little awkward.
Compared to the T25: There are cupboards and storage a plenty meaning you can have the van setup for a holiday and ready to go at all times. Everything has its place and thus feels organised. The beach needs boxes taking in and out and sorting through to find things. Doesn't feel as conduscive to simple camping as you have to go into the back of the vehicle to get anything you need. We will certainly use our 80s campers for autumn/winter camping because we won't have to keep getting out to fetch things from the boot. That storage however has weight and reduces mpg, so the beach is good as we don't carry it around all the time, which is a fair counter to the convenience factor.
Seating:
The Beach bench seat is great as a passenger seat, firm (they are new) yet comfy for long journeys. The front seats are also good, I can easily do 3 hours before needing a stretch. The arm rests are good but need adjusting each time, why? I find we rarely turn the front seats around when camping (it just created more hassle when we wanted to drive somewhere). The bench seat when folded down is simply horrible as a bed, almost unusable in factory state, you absolutely need a mattress topper before you even entertain this.
Compared to the Vw T25. The T25 rock n roll bed is designed to be a bed first and a seat second, so its just far more comfy and it looks cooler. Sitting on it in the van at night feels like sitting on a lush sofa, laying it flat and having a big open bed is great. Its so much more comfy, the Beach could learn a lot. I suspect that the beach seat is harder to make it longer wearing but just like on a journey, of an evening after a while I got fed up of sitting on it and wanted a rest.
Camper aspects:
Poptop, the T25 had a sideways poptop which always annoyed me. Great for headspace but terrible for two sleeping in the roof. Someone has to have the roof close to their face, not something I like. The lengthways poptop is a gem and the rising bed to use as headspace or sleeping space is so much slicker on the Beach.
Pull down blinds are so much easier than curtains and the Cali is definitely a "stealth" camper. If I can't spot them easily on the road, very few will realise what they are which has to help security. I think thats a good thing for me.
So in conclusion, I love the Cali, it is my daily driver. I love the modern engine and reliability, better security means I'm not as fearful leaving it places (although I am terrified of door dings). The beautifully thought out interior and factory trim (no stretch carpet everywhere!) and the sheer room and versatility is simply marvellous. The dogs also love it, to them it already means adventures. If I make the mistake of opening the door they will be sat on the seat and refusing to come out until we go somewhere.
What I miss: Proper camper cupboards (but I'm glad I'm not paying for fuel to drive them around full time), that fixed storage to allow organised camping without having to leave the vehicle. I knew the Beach was a compromise and I think for my life its in the right one but I wonder if I should have gone for the 2 seat beach instead?
Wishlist for the Beach to make it better as a camper is surprisingly short:
Some kind of removable kitchen pod with storage and built in stove (sink not so important to me as I rarely use them). Some of the tiny pods you get via Germany are expensive, i got a full interior for £2400 for my T25 made to my own design, paying 2k for one tiny removable pod doesn't seem good value for money. (Perhaps they think us Cali owners can afford it?)
Mattress Topper for downstairs
The VW awning, should have got it with hindsight. Was pondering a drive away awning but I don't tink that matches our camping style (short stays).
Roof rack and kayak brackets.
Maybe a stereo update at some point so I can add POIs to the satnav or use waze but it works as is.
. It fitted our active lifestyle, we have dogs, like kayaking and cycling, days out and camping. It seemed a great day vehicle for me but with the versatility for adventures. After 3 months of Beach (3 seat bench) ownership I've written down some thoughts and comparisons with my old van. I didn't go for a new SE it was out of my budget range and I didn't want a camper as my daily driver anyway.
So I thought I would write down some thoughts and comparisons with my full Campervan.. I have came from a 1985 VW Campervan with full bespoke camping interior so it's been an interesting learning curve. I appreciate it's normal to have a settling in period with a camper, you need to learn how to use it best, you streamline your storage so its the least disruption to your camping experience.
Beach Day to day use
The versatility of the van is simply amazing, we've moved my GF out of her flat in it. We've moved big pieces of furniture, transported a van full of passengers with luggage to airports and train stations. In fact sometimes I regret having it because I constantly get asked to help move things. I've used it for photoshoots as a dressing room/makeup room.
Compared to the T25: Well it's nothing the old van couldn't do, but the old van had a permanent hint of fear that it may stop working at any moment. A car could not do what the Cali does. The new one doesn't have the charm or retro feel that reminds me of my childhood but that's to be expected. The T25 feels right to give a name, the Cali hasn't felt like it suits a name.
There is more rear storage as the new van is front engined. The old one lost some space in the back where the engine bay is. The major reason I got the Beach, was confidence in my camper to go into Europe and it not break down on me. I think I'd need a better setup before I'd want to go camping long term in it.
MPG and engine: The Beach (114ps 5 speed) does around 34-35mpg on my average trip to work and back mixed urban and country driving and 38-40mpg on the a roads and motorways. It feels like driving a car but is quite slow 0-60 about 14 seconds. It felt horrible at first but now I am used to it, its plenty fast enough and as most of the time you're cruising I'm glad of the economy at the cost of a little accelleralation.
Compared to the 4 speed T25, which did 38mpg all day long with the original 1.6d engine. Only downside it couldnt do hills without dropping below HGV cruising speeds which felt horrible and occasionally dangerous (remember the days of slowing down going up inclines?). I upgraded this to a 1.9td engine from a golf and now its more like 29mpg at 65mph but can do steep hills easily. The beach is far quieter and smoother. Definitely wins but you would hope so 30 years later
Storage:
The under seat trays are great and we store our dog related harnesses, the black out curtains and van related stuff. The lack of cupboard space does mean it doesn't really feel like a camper. It certainly hasn't got the cozy homely feel of the T25, definitely colder. It does however feel roomier without the cupboards and such inside.
For camping we use two 64L really useful boxes, which work well but become a pain sliding in and out. The more I use it the more I want some dedicated camper storage (or a pod).You can could perhaps remove the lids of the boxes and put them underneath which means you could lift up the shelf and access them from inside but it is a little awkward.
Compared to the T25: There are cupboards and storage a plenty meaning you can have the van setup for a holiday and ready to go at all times. Everything has its place and thus feels organised. The beach needs boxes taking in and out and sorting through to find things. Doesn't feel as conduscive to simple camping as you have to go into the back of the vehicle to get anything you need. We will certainly use our 80s campers for autumn/winter camping because we won't have to keep getting out to fetch things from the boot. That storage however has weight and reduces mpg, so the beach is good as we don't carry it around all the time, which is a fair counter to the convenience factor.
Seating:
The Beach bench seat is great as a passenger seat, firm (they are new) yet comfy for long journeys. The front seats are also good, I can easily do 3 hours before needing a stretch. The arm rests are good but need adjusting each time, why? I find we rarely turn the front seats around when camping (it just created more hassle when we wanted to drive somewhere). The bench seat when folded down is simply horrible as a bed, almost unusable in factory state, you absolutely need a mattress topper before you even entertain this.
Compared to the Vw T25. The T25 rock n roll bed is designed to be a bed first and a seat second, so its just far more comfy and it looks cooler. Sitting on it in the van at night feels like sitting on a lush sofa, laying it flat and having a big open bed is great. Its so much more comfy, the Beach could learn a lot. I suspect that the beach seat is harder to make it longer wearing but just like on a journey, of an evening after a while I got fed up of sitting on it and wanted a rest.
Camper aspects:
Poptop, the T25 had a sideways poptop which always annoyed me. Great for headspace but terrible for two sleeping in the roof. Someone has to have the roof close to their face, not something I like. The lengthways poptop is a gem and the rising bed to use as headspace or sleeping space is so much slicker on the Beach.
Pull down blinds are so much easier than curtains and the Cali is definitely a "stealth" camper. If I can't spot them easily on the road, very few will realise what they are which has to help security. I think thats a good thing for me.
So in conclusion, I love the Cali, it is my daily driver. I love the modern engine and reliability, better security means I'm not as fearful leaving it places (although I am terrified of door dings). The beautifully thought out interior and factory trim (no stretch carpet everywhere!) and the sheer room and versatility is simply marvellous. The dogs also love it, to them it already means adventures. If I make the mistake of opening the door they will be sat on the seat and refusing to come out until we go somewhere.
What I miss: Proper camper cupboards (but I'm glad I'm not paying for fuel to drive them around full time), that fixed storage to allow organised camping without having to leave the vehicle. I knew the Beach was a compromise and I think for my life its in the right one but I wonder if I should have gone for the 2 seat beach instead?
Wishlist for the Beach to make it better as a camper is surprisingly short:
Some kind of removable kitchen pod with storage and built in stove (sink not so important to me as I rarely use them). Some of the tiny pods you get via Germany are expensive, i got a full interior for £2400 for my T25 made to my own design, paying 2k for one tiny removable pod doesn't seem good value for money. (Perhaps they think us Cali owners can afford it?)
Mattress Topper for downstairs
The VW awning, should have got it with hindsight. Was pondering a drive away awning but I don't tink that matches our camping style (short stays).
Roof rack and kayak brackets.
Maybe a stereo update at some point so I can add POIs to the satnav or use waze but it works as is.
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