Bigger vans

[Wondering Star]

No stickers in my Hymer Grand Canyon S.

 

[itsSteve]

You do realise, children grow…
My 8 year old wouldn’t be comfortable in one already.

Our nineteen year old, over six foot, sleeps happily in, on a diagonal, as I've posted elsewhere

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Our nineteen year old, over six foot, sleeps happily in, on a diagonal, as I've posted elsewhere

I did too, I’m 6ft and 37 going on 60.

 

[Corradobrit]

37 going on 60.

Must be all that Swamper wheel procrastination. Can add years......

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I like those a lot, interesting layouts that differentiate them from the rest of the converters. Globe Traveller, which are available in the UK, are not dissimilar and might be off the same production line.

Sorry I'm a bit late to the party on this one, I went to look at the Globe Traveller Falcon 2XS today, and that has cemented my decision to place a deposit on a Sven Hedin and trade in my Cali. I have to thank @CampervanTime for their amazing videos and all the research they've already done as they pretty much 'sold' this to me. Although I'm not a big fan - the GC was probably the closest contender with the best in market deals currently been offered. I just couldn't see beyond the clinical utilitarian interior which I know for some is a selling point.

The build quality of the GT 2XS looks really good, I appreciate there are many compromises when buying these sort of vehicles. Whilst people want different things, I just cannot see the target market for this vehicle. I found that there is no direct access to the bathroom when the bed is down, the bed even when down is particularly narrow for this size vehicle, it doesn't have a chemical toilet just one where you do your business in the bags beneath . There is zero storage in the rear and all this for an asking price of £120,000! I got the impression the dealer was really struggling to sell this and said it had been in stock for a very long time, but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this vehicle or even who the target market could be as I'm purplexed.

 

[Billylou]

Sorry I'm a bit late to the party on this one, I went to look at the Globe Traveller Falcon 2XS today, and that has cemented my decision to place a deposit on a Sven Hedin and trade in my Cali. I have to thank @CampervanTime for their amazing videos and all the research they've already done as they pretty much 'sold' this to me. Although I'm not a big fan - the GC was probably the closest contender with the best in market deals currently been offered. I just couldn't see beyond the clinical utilitarian interior which I know for some is a selling point.

The build quality of the GT 2XS looks really good, I appreciate there are many compromises when buying these sort of vehicles. Whilst people want different things, I just cannot see the target market for this vehicle. I found that there is no direct access to the bathroom when the bed is down, the bed even when down is particularly narrow for this size vehicle, it doesn't have a chemical toilet just one where you do your business in the bags beneath . There is zero storage in the rear and all this for an asking price of £120,000! I got the impression the dealer was really struggling to sell this and said it had been in stock for a very long time, but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this vehicle or even who the target market could be as I'm purplexed.

I would agree the 2XS isn’t their best work.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I would agree the 2XS isn’t their best work.

Even if they offered me a £25,000 discount I still wouldn't have entertained buying it. But I'm pretty sure people will be getting hefty discounts on these if they want them in the near future to shift stock.

 

[soulstyledevon]

@Barry Chuckle congratulations on the Westfalia, it’s a nice van. Had they offered it as 4berth, I would’ve had one.

What’s the delivery times looking like at the minute?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

@Barry Chuckle congratulations on the Westfalia, it’s a nice van. Had they offered it as 4berth, I would’ve had one.

What’s the delivery times looking like at the minute?

Not long at all, ordered to day they're confident of May delivery. I can't work out how they can offer a MAN based 180 at the price, they must have a pretty good deal with VW

 

[soulstyledevon]

Not long at all, ordered to day they're confident of May delivery. I can't work out how they can offer a MAN based 180 at the price, they must have a pretty good deal with VW

That’s pretty insane considering the market over the last 2 years.
I was being quoted around £70k for a 2wd panel van with certain options before conversion.
Alas, £130k+ for a converted Crafter van.

 

[The Merle]

That’s pretty insane considering the market over the last 2 years.
I was being quoted around £70k for a 2wd panel van with certain options before conversion.
Alas, £130k+ for a converted Crafter van.

48-51k + vat for nice spec 3mth old ex demo (not used at all) crafter 4motions.
Plus they keep dropping the price on the once’s I’m watching.

 

[The Merle]

Can’t see how he will get a Sven by May, campertime is still waiting on there’s!
unless it’s a cancelled ordered.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Can’t see how he will get a Sven by May, campertime is still waiting on there’s!
unless it’s a cancelled ordered.

I mentioned that to them today funnily enough and they said he was collecting his next week, I'll let you know how I get on with delivery times. You are probably right but the dealer now has more to lose by delays than me.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I mentioned that to them today funnily enough and they said he was collecting his next week, I'll let you know how I get on with delivery times. You are probably right but the dealer now has more to lose by delays than me.

I got told March for my Free 600s. That’s when I ordered in October. The dealer ordered 4 for 2024, so I was unable to change anything. Thankfully it ticked all the boxes.
It’s now confirmed for May.

The dealers don’t seem to be concerned about cancellations, as they can’t get enough stock and what they do get is in low numbers. That there’s always a buyer around the corner.

That how I managed to get my Fiat end of 2022. The original buyer had waited 9 months, then got hit with another 3 month wait and price increase.
I waited the 3 months and paid the increase…

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I got told March for my Free 600s. That’s when I ordered in October. The dealer ordered 4 for 2024, so I was unable to change anything. Thankfully it ticked all the boxes.
It’s now confirmed for May.

The dealers don’t seem to be concerned about cancellations, as they can’t get enough stock and what they do get is in low numbers. That there’s always a buyer around the corner.

That how I managed to get my Fiat end of 2022. The original buyer had waited 9 months, then got hit with another 3 month wait and price increase.
I waited the 3 months and paid the increase…

I really considered the Hymers too, probably same build quality etc than the Westfalias. But they were just a little outside my budget for all the things I wanted on them.

It'll be interesting to see how long it actually takes to come, but my Cali only took just over 2 months from order to delivery which is 10 months less than a few years prior. You're right stock is limited but from what I'm hearing the market generally is very depressed. Perhaps over optimistically I hoping that dealers can no longer afford the risk of so many cancellations.

 

[The Merle]

I really considered the Hymers too, probably same build quality etc than the Westfalias. But they were just a little outside my budget for all the things I wanted on them.

It'll be interesting to see how long it actually takes to come, but my Cali only took just over 2 months from order to delivery which is 10 months less than a few years prior. You're right stock is limited but from what I'm hearing the market generally is very depressed. Perhaps over optimistically I hoping that dealers can no longer afford the risk of so many cancellations.

It is but not with svens, the other westy dealer can’t get them quick enough.
I would play safe and expect it in double 6mths is still super quick.
Good luck and let us know.

 

[Andya]

I mentioned that to them today funnily enough and they said he was collecting his next week, I'll let you know how I get on with delivery times. You are probably right but the dealer now has more to lose by delays than me.

Hi Barry I assume you have ordered yours from Wandahome we ordered one in dark grey in January from there and Scott said delivery estimate is July/August so a May estimate seems to buck the trend there, July/August will be perfect for us I hope they don't tell us ours will be early!

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Hi Barry I assume you have ordered yours from Wandahome we ordered one in dark grey in January from there and Scott said delivery estimate is July/August so a May estimate seems to buck the trend there, July/August will be perfect for us I hope they don't tell us ours will be early!

Yes I did, I'm starting to think that perhaps May is now over optimistic on the part of the dealer! Unless of course they know others in the queue like yourselves are prepared to wait.

If yours does arrive mid to late Aug, I'd be very tempted to push it back to Sep to get the latest registration.

As a matter of interest what options did you spec on it?

 

[Andya]

Yes I did, I'm starting to think that perhaps May is now over optimistic on the part of the dealer! Unless of course they know others in the queue like yourselves are prepared to wait.

If yours does arrive mid to late Aug, I'd be very tempted to push it back to Sep to get the latest registration.

As a matter of interest what options did you spec on it?

Hi there it is the Ltd Edition so you can't spec the van can you, it just comes as it is, shame there wasn't an option to upgrade the wheels to 17" black alloys, which colour did you spec I know they are a bloody fortune but that's how much things are now and compared to some they look good (ish) value and to have a fixed bed running hot water and a bathroom is a game changer for us, as for registration we will see but i am not that bothered but it's worth thinking about.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Hi there it is the Ltd Edition so you can't spec the van can you, it just comes as it is, shame there wasn't an option to upgrade the wheels to 17" black alloys, which colour did you spec I know they are a bloody fortune but that's how much things are now and compared to some they look good (ish) value and to have a fixed bed running hot water and a bathroom is a game changer for us, as for registration we will see but i am not that bothered but it's worth thinking about.

You can spec the black alloys they had on at the NEC show, they're a £3,500 and leather seats and solar are the other 2 options on the special edition.

I've only specced the leather so far as I feel I'll see how I get along with it before I add alloys or solar.

 

[Andya]

ahh ok so they come with the leather seat option, I am not a fan of leather seats so all is good I might get a set of wheels and tyres from Wheelbase and have Wandahome fit them for me the van has a really good spec as it is

 

[Jimmylondon07]

You can spec the black alloys they had on at the NEC show, they're a £3,500 and leather seats and solar are the other 2 options on the special edition.

I've only specced the leather so far as I feel I'll see how I get along with it before I add alloys or solar.

Will you lose much on your Ocean Bazza?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Will you lose much on your Ocean Bazza?

about 10 grand, appreciate I could sell privately for a bit more but I just can't be bothered with the hassle.

 

[Mr T]

You can spec the black alloys they had on at the NEC show, they're a £3,500 and leather seats and solar are the other 2 options on the special edition.

I've only specced the leather so far as I feel I'll see how I get along with it before I add alloys or solar.

Aren’t the alloys and solar a dealer fit option rather than factory?
Congrtas on the Sven, a steadily growing number of Cali owners are making the switch!
Look forward to hearing how you get on with it.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

about 10 grand, appreciate I could sell privately for a bit more but I just can't be bothered with the hassle.

Worth the small effort - ours sold locally within 3hrs of being listed on FB Marketplace.

Was also listed on the forum one week prior & ebay. (Any enquiry received from ebay gives you the buyers name, phone number & postcode...so fairly easy to check if its a genuine enquiry. )