Cali virgins - advice please

[Elmo3]

There are several good deals at Liverpool, like the one linked here. There is a 9 mile Apr 19 manual for under £50k, which seems cheap. What is difficult to understand is why their claimed savings are low. What are they measuring that against?.... Last weeks price perhaps... Savings seem too small to be measured against list price.

Do be aware that the chance to extend the factory warranty to 5 years may have passed on an Apr 19....the window to add that is very brief, and don't fall for the 'you can buy an extension after 3 years' line, as that is a very different product.

That’s a brand new unregistered vehicle, I considered it when buying my new one from them. You’ve got to add the hefty first year VED to it. Still very cheap for a nice spec brand new Cali. If I remember rightly it is a slight mis build with no lights and vision pack which should be standard.

 

[jillyfish]

Wow! lots of info to digest. thanks a lot everyone who responded to my query. We did today visit VW approved conversion co and vans were good . I now understand that a Hiline 102 T6 with all the extras will come in at around 55k... so very similar to potential offer prices mentioned here. I noted a lot of things that were different to Cali spec...i.e. curtains instead of blinds, manual lift on roof, bed non sliding, no space in tailgate for chairs, or any chairs, driver seat dont swivel, finish just not quite so 'finished' so to speak. We are hiring the Cali next month anyway so I am sure this will cement the issue. Other half was impressed with what we saw today, but I less so and feel sure we will regret not getting cali ocean. tks again and will let you know what we do. jill

 

[sapto]

Welcome here anyway! Happy reading and researching!

 

[highroad]

No autoebid doesn’t factor in any extra finance or loyalty discounts and you have to proceed with the order and then wait for them to call you: they’ll then revise the offer after they’ve spoken to the supplying dealer (vw vans Liverpool), with whom you’ll eventually place the order. You could just call James at Liverpool first to see what they’ll do direct and clarify the finance offer. The price includes delivery to your door but you’ll have to collect if you want a salesman handover with a demo how it all works.

For what it's worth the email I got from autoebid on a well-specced beach said "The lowest quote we have for a factory build to your specification is £53,248.71 with cash, or £53,198.71 with the Volkswagen retail finance offer and *including any available deposit contribution*." So it might be worth checking with the dealership of whether the significant contribution deposit is or isn't included before committing.

 

[AlanC]

Any VW Commercial Van dealers will service a Cali i.e. cover the service interval work on the engine, but only certain dealers are authorised as Leisure Dealers to sell and maintain the Beach and Ocean and have specialist trained master techs on the staff.

You can buy from any of them around the country and get the servicing and repairs done locally to you.

Snows of Plymouth are a Leisure Dealer as are Breeze in Poole and Heritage in Bristol.

If you are buying new and given the introduction of the T6.1, now would be a good time for a decent price, then only Leisure Dealers are the ones to go to.

As you can see, you are in good company on here with lots of good advice available. Good luck.

Alan

 

[Meoncoast]

We did today visit VW approved conversion co and vans were good . I now understand that a Hiline 102 T6 with all the extras will come in at around 55k...

Go on tell us which one.

 

[Elmo3]

Go on tell us which one.

Whatever it is, it sounds an awful lot of money to spend on a 5 speed 102 van. That’s new, nicely specced T6 Cali territory right now.

 

[Meoncoast]

Whatever it is, it sounds an awful lot of money to spend on a 5 speed 102 van. That’s new, nicely specced T6 Cali territory right now.

agree I do like to see what is offered from some of the converters out there.

 

[jillyfish]

OK, so yesterday we visited Autohaus at Minehead being our first visit. the 55k quoted was for the van earlier specified fitted with just about everything one could ask for. TODAY however we went to dealership in Exeter and were shown the real thing! have to admit there is just no comparison - CALI Ocean is just so much more superior,, and today were told that if we ordered to our spec the Cali Ocean in red ...150 DSG would come in at approx 55K (this includes sat nav/camera, awning, comfort mattress, and one other thing...still awaiting written confirmation) . this included 5% dealer discount plus the £2750 for taking part HP/PCP if we choose to. sounds reasonable BUT note that others are mentioning higher dealer discounts.. J

 

[subthree]

OK, so I have been lurking in the background for the last few weeks, mining this site as we progressed towards a factory order for a 150 Ocean - so hello to all your helpful people on here. This is my first post (please go easy) but I now feel compelled to chip in when I see "5% discount".

Over the last 10 days we have been in contact with 4 very helpful and competitive dealers - all excellent, all worth contacting. They are Preston, Swindon, Reading and Norwich. Everyone will have good and bad experiences of these dealers, I can only go on what I have experienced over the last 10 days. We have placed a deposit in the last few days and achieved just shy of 14%. Yes, this is the discount percentage of the OTR price including VAT and the first year of VED/RFL. This is our first Cali, we rented one a few weeks ago. However if it is a factory order you are after, as opposed to a stock vehicle or pre-reg, then you need to be quick. I can't guarantee you will achieve the same discount, all dealers have different targets to achieve.

Get very clear on your spec and then speak to people, it shows your serious and the 4 dealers above were super helpful and seriously competitive - you also learn a lot from each dealer. No doubt there are other excellent dealers, but these dealers were listed on another post so I tried them and got (what I think) is a good result. I wish you luck - we are super excited!

 

[Elmo3]

You’ve got to look at the overall discount % against list. How they present it is just smoke and mirrors. IMO, don’t bother with Nav and spec App Connect (and composition media) instead. It’s better and cheaper.

 

[jillyfish]

what is the OTR price of basic factory order Ocean/150/DSG before road tax and any extras then? I am anticpating email confirming what was stated today but we were just discussing 'ball park' figures and the starting price was not actually mentioned. VW just asked us what we would like and then said that it would be around the 55K. not sure if that included initial tax which is I know hefty.

 

[Resfeber]

Wow! lots of info to digest. thanks a lot everyone who responded to my query. We did today visit VW approved conversion co and vans were good . I now understand that a Hiline 102 T6 with all the extras will come in at around 55k... so very similar to potential offer prices mentioned here. I noted a lot of things that were different to Cali spec...i.e. curtains instead of blinds, manual lift on roof, bed non sliding, no space in tailgate for chairs, or any chairs, driver seat dont swivel, finish just not quite so 'finished' so to speak. We are hiring the Cali next month anyway so I am sure this will cement the issue. Other half was impressed with what we saw today, but I less so and feel sure we will regret not getting cali ocean. tks again and will let you know what we do. jill

what is the OTR price of basic factory order Ocean/150/DSG before road tax and any extras then? I am anticpating email confirming what was stated today but we were just discussing 'ball park' figures and the starting price was not actually mentioned. VW just asked us what we would like and then said that it would be around the 55K. not sure if that included initial tax which is I know hefty.

July price list attached
£58515 - £1280 VED = £57235

 

[jillyfish]

put in requirements to Autoebid after seeing them recommended on here. Spec : red,150, camera/parking sensors, Alcantara upholstery, awning, comfort mattress - quote including first year tax 54.100. That seems quite good, do you agree?
thanks

 

[Resfeber]

put in requirements to Autoebid after seeing them recommended on here. Spec : red,150, camera/parking sensors, Alcantara upholstery, awning, comfort mattress - quote including first year tax 54.100. That seems quite good, do you agree?
thanks

At initial glance seems reasonable. However spec is everything in arriving at vehicle build and OTR price as per manufactures price list.

Eg your vehicle as described above (assuming DSG) has an OTR list of £58515 plus
Alcantara option N77 ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £984
Rev camera option 7X8 ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £714
awning Black option NFI ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £474
Bed ext plus comfort option 3UI ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £282
Total £60969 OTR inc first year VED
Saving off list at your price £54100 = £6869 or 11.3%
Please look at the full VW options list here and consider

https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/content/dam/vw-ngw/vw_nfz/importers/gb/Downloads/price-guides/california/california-pl.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original./california-pl.pdf

App connect and Colour screen ( allows smart phone to display on centre screen for voice control , messaging google maps etc well worth it and no need for full sat nav unless you going overseas when data costs may make sat nav of benefit.
Options 9WT ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £174 and QH3 ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon£318 Total
£492
Or Sat nav at £1602
LED headlights.
If you have had a vehicle with or are used to this make sure you check out standard lighting
When you hire. Expensive (option PCE ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £1608 ) but nearly twice this to retro fit.
Electric operation side door bit like Marmite but wouldn’t be without.
Option GC5 ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £330
Cruise control is a must option 8T2 ++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £252
Or adaptive but takes getting used to at
£516 (has to include MF steering wheel which I would recommend at £102 Stand alone option).

Finally if you really want privacy a full dark and laminated glass pack for rear is around £1000 from VW as factory order.

Good luck and enjoy the quest.

Images of one I made earlier

Resfeber

 

[Resfeber]

Has now covered 6000 miles in 6 months from purchase inc 3500 miles & 30 days away in UK North West Scotland and Anglesey
Just gets better and still keep having to pinch myself that I own a Cali. This is also my daily drive

 

[Elmo3]

Great advise above. I know specs are a very personal thing, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of resale in the future, you should add App Connect (and composition media), cruise and privacy glass (it’s 285 + VAT).

 

[Velma's Dad]

Great advise above. I know specs are a very personal thing, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of resale in the future, you should add App Connect (and composition media), cruise and privacy glass (it’s 285 + VAT).

That may be right, but the trouble is, not all future buyers will value those things. Eg, if I was buying a used Cali, I positively would NOT want so-called privacy glass, I prefer to be able the view out as close as poss to what mother nature intended. And I wouldn't give a monkey's about cruise control (never really found it useful on any other car I've owned which had it)... while ACC might be a different thing.

The basic Cali is pretty well equipped as it is. So on a new van I'd stick only to any gizmos/bling I REALLY wanted for myself... and I believe the general principle in the car market that you don;t recover your money on options (yes I know some extras can "make it easier to sell" - but who's ever had a problem selling a Cali, provided the asking price is realistic?).

 

[Elmo3]

That may be right, but the trouble is, not all future buyers will value those things. Eg, if I was buying a used Cali, I positively would NOT want so-called privacy glass, I prefer to be able the view out as close as poss to what mother nature intended. And I wouldn't give a monkey's about cruise control (never really found it useful on any other car I've owned which had it)... while ACC might be a different thing.

The basic Cali is pretty well equipped as it is. So on a new van I'd stick only to any gizmos/bling I REALLY wanted for myself... and I believe the general principle in the car market that you don;t recover your money on options (yes I know some extras can "make it easier to sell" - but who's ever had a problem selling a Cali, provided the asking price is realistic?).

Yep, it’s all down to choice. Colour is one of the main factors, but let’s not go there!!

 

[jillyfish]

At initial glance seems reasonable. However spec is everything in arriving at vehicle build and OTR price as per manufactures price list.

Eg your vehicle as described above (assuming DSG) has an OTR list of £58515 plus
Alcantara option N77 *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £984
Rev camera option 7X8 *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £714
awning Black option NFI *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £474
Bed ext plus comfort option 3UI *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £282
Total £60969 OTR inc first year VED
Saving off list at your price £54100 = £6869 or 11.3%
Please look at the full VW options list here and consider

https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/content/dam/vw-ngw/vw_nfz/importers/gb/Downloads/price-guides/california/california-pl.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original./california-pl.pdf

App connect and Colour screen ( allows smart phone to display on centre screen for voice control , messaging google maps etc well worth it and no need for full sat nav unless you going overseas when data costs may make sat nav of benefit.
Options 9WT *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £174 and QH3 *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon£318 Total
£492
Or Sat nav at £1602
LED headlights.
If you have had a vehicle with or are used to this make sure you check out standard lighting
When you hire. Expensive (option PCE *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £1608 ) but nearly twice this to retro fit.
Electric operation side door bit like Marmite but wouldn’t be without.
Option GC5 *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £330
Cruise control is a must option 8T2 *++amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon+amazon £252
Or adaptive but takes getting used to at
£516 (has to include MF steering wheel which I would recommend at £102 Stand alone option).

Finally if you really want privacy a full dark and laminated glass pack for rear is around £1000 from VW as factory order.

Good luck and enjoy the quest.

Images of one I made earlier

Resfeber

View attachment 48467

View attachment 48468

View attachment 48469

View attachment 48470

 

[jillyfish]

more to think about. we talked about privacy glass as the one in showroom didnt have it on and we agreed that this is not really a concern as blinds are there for when privacy is essential. the ordinary glass does provide better light we thought.

As for app connect I would like that but Steve says we should be better off with sat nav (although we are not likely to go outside the country) not very tech savvy, but imagine that with bluetooth the app connect enables all phone content/apps to be displayed including googlemaps, and automatically connects as my phone does currently in the car.

Cruise control - um never had it so not sure how i would find it or would i even want it if its something i have done without for 40 years! feedback on this from anyone would be interesting.

Another question. We think we would prefer to use campsites as little as possible and therefore, how long do you need to drive for/distance to charge the leisure battery if you were pootling about say in Dartmoor.?

 

[Lightning]

more to think about. we talked about privacy glass as the one in showroom didnt have it on and we agreed that this is not really a concern as blinds are there for when privacy is essential. the ordinary glass does provide better light we thought.

As for app connect I would like that but Steve says we should be better off with sat nav (although we are not likely to go outside the country) not very tech savvy, but imagine that with bluetooth the app connect enables all phone content/apps to be displayed including googlemaps, and automatically connects as my phone does currently in the car.

Cruise control - um never had it so not sure how i would find it or would i even want it if its something i have done without for 40 years! feedback on this from anyone would be interesting.

Another question. We think we would prefer to use campsites as little as possible and therefore, how long do you need to drive for/distance to charge the leisure battery if you were pootling about say in Dartmoor.?

App connect allows apple or android car play. I think it would put a lot of people off if it was missing. It’s a great value option.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bellcrew]

more to think about. we talked about privacy glass as the one in showroom didnt have it on and we agreed that this is not really a concern as blinds are there for when privacy is essential. the ordinary glass does provide better light we thought.

As for app connect I would like that but Steve says we should be better off with sat nav (although we are not likely to go outside the country) not very tech savvy, but imagine that with bluetooth the app connect enables all phone content/apps to be displayed including googlemaps, and automatically connects as my phone does currently in the car.

Cruise control - um never had it so not sure how i would find it or would i even want it if its something i have done without for 40 years! feedback on this from anyone would be interesting.

Another question. We think we would prefer to use campsites as little as possible and therefore, how long do you need to drive for/distance to charge the leisure battery if you were pootling about say in Dartmoor.?

I find the ACC to be really useful on long motorway trips, it is super with the DSG making for a very relaxed drive.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Yep, it’s all down to choice. Colour is one of the main factors, but let’s not go there!!

No, let's go there! I've always found that interesting.

If you expect to sell on within a couple of years or so, choosing a 'popular' colour (or at least, avoiding an unpopular one) is a good strategy. BUT car colour fashions - and they are all fashions, there's no 'best' colour - shift radically in the longer run. I remember when white cars were considered the D's B's (in the early 90s, wasn't it?) but then considered inexcusably naff just a few years later. So as with the options, if buying for the long term, choose whatever colour you like best at the time.

[EDIT: Velma is blue, a colour that has never been out of the top 5 UK car colours since 2005. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46906254. But the real reason she is blue is because she was available as an ex demo in that colour, and we were happy enough with that. Beauty is only skin deep.]

 

[Velma's Dad]

I find the ACC to be really useful on long motorway trips, it is super with the DSG making for a very relaxed drive.

Crucial for Jillyfish to note on this: 'cruise control' and 'adaptive cruise control' (ACC) are very different things. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but I think it does cause confusion.

(Jilly: in case you are confused, ACC adjusts your speed automatically when you come up behind another vehicle, but with basic CC it's only really useful when you have an open road ahead of you).

I'd be quite interested in having ACC on a future vehicle, but I find basic old fashioned ('dumb') CC a waste of time, on British/European roads anyway.