California vs Conversion

[karen a r]

Hi all. We sold our older Cali T5 last year as had a bit too much going on in our lives at the time to use it enough. We're thinking of buying another one probably after all the 'we must have a Campervan this summer' madness had died down. Options are to go for a T6 but we are also considering a conversion and the VW Caledonia from Sussex Campervans looks interesting. Has anyone had any experience in one of these? Cheers

 

[Soton Campers]

I think the fact that they have called it the Caledonia tells you all you need to know!

 

[Louis II]

Just £2k cheaper than a brand new coast. I know what I'd do!

 

[CannonDale]

Hi all. We sold our older Cali T5 last year as had a bit too much going on in our lives at the time to use it enough. We're thinking of buying another one probably after all the 'we must have a Campervan this summer' madness had died down. Options are to go for a T6 but we are also considering a conversion and the VW Caledonia from Sussex Campervans looks interesting. Has anyone had any experience in one of these? Cheers

Have a look at Cambee, a friend of mine has just got one and it is very good, fine attention to detail with a retro feel.

 

[Wildcamper]

Hi all. We sold our older Cali T5 last year as had a bit too much going on in our lives at the time to use it enough. We're thinking of buying another one probably after all the 'we must have a Campervan this summer' madness had died down. Options are to go for a T6 but we are also considering a conversion and the VW Caledonia from Sussex Campervans looks interesting. Has anyone had any experience in one of these? Cheers

We looked at Calis for 6 months, tried them out. Concluded they were overpriced and under-delivered and did not give us what we wanted. So purchased a new very high spec LWB t6 panel van with swivel seats, no bulkhead, rear window and wiper. Took it to a VW approved converter in Minehead. With their input ended up with a permanent High Top with, travelling seats for 4, twin beds, hob, oven, fridge, BBQ point, refillable gas tank underneath the vehicle (LPG), external shower, hot water to sink and shower either electrically or gas heated, gas cabin heating, integrated Thetford cassette toilet and bags of storage space. Excellent conversion, almost as good as Cail quality. Does exactly what we want, VW vehicle warranty intact, conversion warranty for 3 years and no issues with DVLA changing from Panel Van to Motor Caravan. Thousands cheaper than any Cali!

 

[Jontymo]

We looked at top end conversions but opted for our Ocean which we negotiated £10k off the book price last September. Even though the top conversions are beautiful we just could not justify laying out more money for a conversion than the original, especially when taking into account the top retention figures that a California gives you.

 

[Mrpraline]

We looked at Calis for 6 months, tried them out. Concluded they were overpriced and under-delivered and did not give us what we wanted. So purchased a new very high spec LWB t6 panel van with swivel seats, no bulkhead, rear window and wiper. Took it to a VW approved converter in Minehead. With their input ended up with a permanent High Top with, travelling seats for 4, twin beds, hob, oven, fridge, BBQ point, refillable gas tank underneath the vehicle (LPG), external shower, hot water to sink and shower either electrically or gas heated, gas cabin heating, integrated Thetford cassette toilet and bags of storage space. Excellent conversion, almost as good as Cail quality. Does exactly what we want, VW vehicle warranty intact, conversion warranty for 3 years and no issues with DVLA changing from Panel Van to Motor Caravan. Thousands cheaper than any Cali!

Can we see some pics?

 

[California4x4]

We looked at Calis for 6 months, tried them out. Concluded they were overpriced and under-delivered and did not give us what we wanted. So purchased a new very high spec LWB t6 panel van with swivel seats, no bulkhead, rear window and wiper. Took it to a VW approved converter in Minehead. With their input ended up with a permanent High Top with, travelling seats for 4, twin beds, hob, oven, fridge, BBQ point, refillable gas tank underneath the vehicle (LPG), external shower, hot water to sink and shower either electrically or gas heated, gas cabin heating, integrated Thetford cassette toilet and bags of storage space. Excellent conversion, almost as good as Cail quality. Does exactly what we want, VW vehicle warranty intact, conversion warranty for 3 years and no issues with DVLA changing from Panel Van to Motor Caravan. Thousands cheaper than any Cali!

Sounds like really good work. Can you recommend the conversion company?

 

[briwy]

We are on our third Cali so obviously like them but I wouldn't buy another. I think they are now far too expensive, getting overcomplicated and the final nail in the coffin is the ongoing roof corrosion which as far as I can see is still the same design so still prone to the same problems.

 

[Wild Bob]

Only down side to owning a Cali is the sliding door being on the wrong side plus should offer a lwb version too.

 

[WelshGas]

Only down side to owning a Cali is the sliding door being on the wrong side plus should offer a lwb version too.

Obviously you don't spend much time in Europe.

 

[Wild Bob]

Obviously you don't spend much time in Europe.

No would never drive abroad.

 

[Karlos]

With great residuals, style and function the Cali Ocean was a no brainer for us. Just had 9 days away before the little darlings invade and the Cali was brilliant. Not sure why I have advertised it for sale today after typing the last bit?

 

[karen a r]

Thanks for all the helpful comments - we too love the Cali and why change a winning formula! It worked for us before. But there are some features that I think are better on other vans - personally I prefer the lpg arrangement, passenger side door and fridge/grill options on some of the conversions. And thanks CannonDale - the plywood retro styling on Cambee vans is beautiful. Choices choices right

 

[JerryB]

Only down side to owning a Cali is the sliding door being on the wrong side plus should offer a lwb version too.

I prefer the sliding door on that side. Especially when someone parks close to you easy to get in the side door.

 

[JerryB]

No would never drive abroad.

Why not? So much more space than this country

 

[trev0rk]

We looked at both the California and Caledonia amongst others. Ended up buying from Danbury Motorcaravans. We converted an ex-demo T6, and the savings allowed us to add a few options.

 

[Neilos]

I’ve never seen a conversion anything like as practical as a beach so it was a non decision for us.

As for the door on the wrong side thing. I don’t get it really, I prefer it on the drivers side. I can put the kids in strap them in and not have to keep walking around the van! I do that a lot more than park on the side of the road and get out. And if you do park on the road you can park the ‘right’ way or just get the kids to hop out the passenger door. No big deal.

Best conversions I’ve seen (I’m no expert) are those WF Joker jobs. They look really nice and clever use of space.


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[WelshGas]

Westfalia conversions are in a different league in my opinion.

 

[MrP]

Westfalia conversions are in a different league in my opinion.

ABSOLUTELY

There is a lot of difference between a conversion company and a motorhome manufacturer. Westfalia invented the California many, many years ago and the design hasn't really changed since.

I have no issues with conversions but you get what you pay for. A matching conversion to a Cali is often very little difference.
If you are going to do a conversion, buy your own van and find a converter to do it. For example I know a local VW Camper specialist who buys in the vans for about £12k, sends to a converter to convert for £12k and then sells for £36k making £12k profit. Could easily save yourself £12k or spec it much higher quality.

 

[Camperfamily]

California. Doesn’t need further explanation.

 

[Camperfamily]

Westfalia conversions are in a different league in my opinion.

I agree Westfalia conversions are better than all others. However, prior to buying our Cali we seriously looked at Westfalia Kepler Six (link below to exact one) and found the finishing very good, but not quite to the Cali’s factory standard (albeit things like leather seats are more luxurious).

Any conversion is exactly that. Only Calis are factory built and for this I would choose a Cali every time over a VW conversion.

Westfalia Kepler Six Campervan for Sale | Campervan Sales | Roseisle

Westfalia Kepler Six campervan for sale at Roseisle. Beautifully designed camper on the Volkswagen transporter chassis complimented with superior fitting

www.roseisle.com

 

[Wild Bob]

Why not? So much more space than this country

Older now used to drive abroad but would be nervous now sadly

 

[BeagleMum]

Older now used to drive abroad but would be nervous now sadly

It’s just a new chapter in your life, growing older is a privilege denied to many.
There are hundreds of beautiful places in the U.K for you to enjoy, we hope you do.

 

[An-j]

It’s just a new chapter in your life, growing older is a privilege denied to many.
There are hundreds of beautiful places in the U.K for you to enjoy, we hope you do.

What a lovely reply!