Cali ❤️

[Wagonwheal]

Cali Love.
9 years old and Rufus still looking great.
But can we move on?
We have snapped the suspension, replaced the bearings, fixed several warning lights over the years but he is getting a little long in the tooth.
This is our first longer trip in 2 years and after taking much bigger kids to Australia last year, they have seen the other side and struggle to fit in the pop top. Took some persuading to get them to camp in France….
So what now?
I would never drive a great white. I love the way the T7 drives, and can see myself throwing it down Cornish lanes and Highland passes, but there are too many backward steps for the great innovations.
There are some LWB Crafter/Sprinter conversions out there with loo (needed without a giant sail on the roof). I find the Grand Cali a little clinical and bulbous for my liking.
So what now?
We have so many fond memories in Rufus, and he is now so much better as van for one/two for MTB trips or wild camping for Munros, I don’t think I can I could ever sell.
I would appreciate thought and pics of maturing Calis and how people have progressed.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Cali Love.
9 years old and Rufus still looking great.
But can we move on?
We have snapped the suspension, replaced the bearings, fixed several warning lights over the years but he is getting a little long in the tooth.
This is our first longer trip in 2 years and after taking much bigger kids to Australia last year, they have seen the other side and struggle to fit in the pop top. Took some persuading to get them to camp in France….
So what now?
I would never drive a great white. I love the way the T7 drives, and can see myself throwing it down Cornish lanes and Highland passes, but there are too many backward steps for the great innovations.
There are some LWB Crafter/Sprinter conversions out there with loo (needed without a giant sail on the roof). I find the Grand Cali a little clinical and bulbous for my liking.
So what now?
We have so many fond memories in Rufus, and he is now so much better as van for one/two for MTB trips or wild camping for Munros, I don’t think I can I could ever sell.
I would appreciate thought and pics of maturing Calis and how people have progressed.

View attachment 138190

For 2 people, can recommend a Club Joker if you want running hot water, shower, toilet etc. Roof bed is super comfy.

 

[BeeBee]

I thought production stopped last year on the Club Joker.
Our Van is 6 years old and it’s more our age that’s making us think along similar lines re other possibilities. However every time I think of driving something more like ‘a van’ , even slightly bigger like a Hymer 540 , we think again …. lol

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I thought production stopped last year on the Club Joker.
Our Van is 6 years old and it’s more our age that’s making us think along similar lines re other possibilities. However every time I think of driving something more like ‘a van’ , even slightly bigger like a Hymer 540 , we think again …. lol

Production stopped, but still a good 2nd hand buy with excellent residuals. The older ones seem to be better built than younger models.

 

[Kayleigh]

Production stopped, but still a good 2nd hand buy with excellent residuals. The older ones seem to be better built than younger models.

When you say older ones seem to be better built, do you mean T6 vs T6.1?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

When you say older ones seem to be better built, do you mean T6 vs T6.1?

We had a T5.1 Club Joker for just over a year with no issues, and service history, dealer invoices were as normal. Some Owners on this forum have reported issues with more recent models.

 

[Baldrick]

Yours looks to be an issue of three halves. A loo, the not so younguns, and devotion to Rufus.
My two penneth on the first and the third.
i) Boginabag as well as our 335.
iii) We’re almost 9 years into our T6 Ocean and hardly any real issues, touch wood. It does use a little oil every couple of thousand miles. That said our Landrover Discovery is almost 17 and our other car at the time, an original version TT was fifteen when we virtually gave it away getting the ’Van. Kick myself on that. My own thoughts are keeping Winston the Van until we really need to make a decision. Which, given the age of our other cars, admittedly, we’re either clearly not very good at or vehicles last a lot longer than they used to. Sounds like you’re not keen on letting Rufus go either. Pic of Winston involved in some shenanigans with a Blonde Bay whilst our backs were turned…

 

[BikerGran]

9 years - long in the tooth??? Depends on mileage really more than age. My T5 is 18 and doesn't look or feel old.

 

[Wagonwheal]

For 2 people, can recommend a Club Joker if you want running hot water, shower, toilet etc. Roof bed is super comfy.

Love the inside of these but the roof line always had me stumped…..

 

[Wagonwheal]

Yours looks to be an issue of three halves. A loo, the not so younguns, and devotion to Rufus.
My two penneth on the first and the third.
i) Boginabag as well as our 335.
iii) We’re almost 9 years into our T6 Ocean and hardly any real issues, touch wood. It does use a little oil every couple of thousand miles. That said our Landrover Discovery is almost 17 and our other car at the time, an original version TT was fifteen when we virtually gave it away getting the ’Van. Kick myself on that. My own thoughts are keeping Winston the Van until we really need to make a decision. Which, given the age of our other cars, admittedly, we’re either clearly not very good at or vehicles last a lot longer than they used to. Sounds like you’re not keen on letting Rufus go either. Pic of Winston involved in some shenanigans with a Blonde Bay whilst our backs were turned…
View attachment 138227

So right!
Can still eek out a holiday with the kids and don’t think I could bear to part with Rufus.
Can always use a shovel…..
May need to let time make the decision for us.
BTW Winston is a great name. Definitely holding his own against the Bay!

 

[Wagonwheal]

9 years - long in the tooth??? Depends on mileage really more than age. My T5 is 18 and doesn't look or feel old.

we probably need to just accept the odd sagging body/mechanical part….

 

[Wagonwheal]

Do like the look of the this though. (Except the eye-watering price tag). Pipe dream……

 

[BeeBee]

Can see the attraction of the ‘bells n whistles’ , go anywhere kind of van. Can’t help thinking you should be wearing army fatigues to drive it … lol

 

[ThomasHJ]

Do like the look of the this though. (Except the eye-watering price tag). Pipe dream……

View attachment 138254

Love that they added a giant shower head to the roof. Will keep both you and the van clean at all times.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Can see the attraction of the ‘bells n whistles’ , go anywhere kind of van. Can’t help thinking you should be wearing army fatigues to drive it … lol

Any outfit with deep pockets will do

 

[shudycamps]

9 years - long in the tooth??? Depends on mileage really more than age. My T5 is 18 and doesn't look or feel old.

Our Campi 5.1 is 10yrs old, 57,000 on her and she is a champion. Twice yearly trip to España with a doggetts. Love her!

 

[IanE]

15 years old and still lovely!
Pic from a month ago

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