D
DoctorCP
We are just about to take the plunge and order a new Coast. Pretty sure we know all the things we want, but we'd really appreciate your more experienced thoughts and opinions. Thanks in advance for the help!
Colour: perhaps the most superficially unimportant decision, but a point of some discussion in our house! We both really like the Bay Leaf Green metallic paint, but I also really like the Indium Grey metallic. It feels like the green might be a bit marmite for people, and that the grey might be a safer bet for potential resale down the line? Thinking that dirt will show rather more on the green that the grey as well. Any thoughts?
Extras: We are planning to add a few extras, as listed below, with the reasoning why. Would be interested to hear if you think that some of these are unneeded, and have we perhaps missed something that are generally thought to be essential?
- Storage net and 2nd drawer - not really bothered about the storage net, it is more the 2nd drawer in the bench seat. Seems a much more sensible use of this space than the big, long gap you get otherwise that you can only access from the rear?
- 80l fuel tank - seems a no-brainer to add a bigger tank, as it is only £80? We are planning some big trips to Scandinavia where long range would be a help.
- Sliding window in the load/passenger door - we have two kids, and there would be arguments if only one has a window that opens! Plus, it is useful to be able to open the other window for a bit more ventilation when cooking or sitting inside (when you don't want the door open)
- Privacy glass in the rear - I prefer the look of darker glass to clear, but don't know much about adding after-market tints. Any advice?
- Interior light concept for "Comfort" in passenger compartment - This strikes me as an expensive add on, but we mostly want this for the lights in the roof. Both our kids are avid readers, and having a single light running from the 12v adapter would be inadequate we think, not to mention a potential source of argument! Would definitely welcome views on this.
- Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat. Mainly basing this on the recommendation from the great videos that California Chris in Liverpool does on YouTube. Cost seems good compared to aftermarket mattresses, and they also seem to be regularly sold out! Thoughts?
- Mudflaps - seems silly not to add them for £162
- Canvas sides including panorama window - When we hired the Ocean, the kids were always looking out at what was going on through the front window. Didn't use the full opening, but can see the appeal. Think it would be a bit restrictive with just the standard side windows?
Where to buy: I have a quote from Drive the Deal, and also from a range of local dealers. The DtD is lowest, but not massively so in the grand scheme of things. Given that we absolutely intend to keep the van in tip-top condition, with all its services done on time etc. we like the idea of have a relationship with a local dealer from the start. Is this just naivety (you can be honest!).
Our local VW Commercial dealer is JCT600 in Sheffield. I've seen some 'interesting' reviews about them on the forum, but I am slightly conscious that people only tend to go to the effort of writing reviews when they are upset, and rarely write a good review when they are happy (totally understandable!). Again, would really appreciate your thoughts. We are based in South Sheffield, is there a dealer what is within a few hours that it would be worth going out the way for, due to consistently excellent service?
Lots of questions there. As I'm sure you have all been through when hovering over the 'buy' button, we are excited/slightly filled with trepidation in equal measure! This would be our biggest ever purchase apart from a house, and whilst we are absolutely sure the California is right for us, we do want to get the thoughts of others on the details!
Colour: perhaps the most superficially unimportant decision, but a point of some discussion in our house! We both really like the Bay Leaf Green metallic paint, but I also really like the Indium Grey metallic. It feels like the green might be a bit marmite for people, and that the grey might be a safer bet for potential resale down the line? Thinking that dirt will show rather more on the green that the grey as well. Any thoughts?
Extras: We are planning to add a few extras, as listed below, with the reasoning why. Would be interested to hear if you think that some of these are unneeded, and have we perhaps missed something that are generally thought to be essential?
- Storage net and 2nd drawer - not really bothered about the storage net, it is more the 2nd drawer in the bench seat. Seems a much more sensible use of this space than the big, long gap you get otherwise that you can only access from the rear?
- 80l fuel tank - seems a no-brainer to add a bigger tank, as it is only £80? We are planning some big trips to Scandinavia where long range would be a help.
- Sliding window in the load/passenger door - we have two kids, and there would be arguments if only one has a window that opens! Plus, it is useful to be able to open the other window for a bit more ventilation when cooking or sitting inside (when you don't want the door open)
- Privacy glass in the rear - I prefer the look of darker glass to clear, but don't know much about adding after-market tints. Any advice?
- Interior light concept for "Comfort" in passenger compartment - This strikes me as an expensive add on, but we mostly want this for the lights in the roof. Both our kids are avid readers, and having a single light running from the 12v adapter would be inadequate we think, not to mention a potential source of argument! Would definitely welcome views on this.
- Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat. Mainly basing this on the recommendation from the great videos that California Chris in Liverpool does on YouTube. Cost seems good compared to aftermarket mattresses, and they also seem to be regularly sold out! Thoughts?
- Mudflaps - seems silly not to add them for £162
- Canvas sides including panorama window - When we hired the Ocean, the kids were always looking out at what was going on through the front window. Didn't use the full opening, but can see the appeal. Think it would be a bit restrictive with just the standard side windows?
Where to buy: I have a quote from Drive the Deal, and also from a range of local dealers. The DtD is lowest, but not massively so in the grand scheme of things. Given that we absolutely intend to keep the van in tip-top condition, with all its services done on time etc. we like the idea of have a relationship with a local dealer from the start. Is this just naivety (you can be honest!).
Our local VW Commercial dealer is JCT600 in Sheffield. I've seen some 'interesting' reviews about them on the forum, but I am slightly conscious that people only tend to go to the effort of writing reviews when they are upset, and rarely write a good review when they are happy (totally understandable!). Again, would really appreciate your thoughts. We are based in South Sheffield, is there a dealer what is within a few hours that it would be worth going out the way for, due to consistently excellent service?
Lots of questions there. As I'm sure you have all been through when hovering over the 'buy' button, we are excited/slightly filled with trepidation in equal measure! This would be our biggest ever purchase apart from a house, and whilst we are absolutely sure the California is right for us, we do want to get the thoughts of others on the details!
![Comfort Insurance](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/square20ad20image.jpg"")
