First Time Buyer

[Ronnie Robb]

Hi there. I'm new on here. I've never owned a VW van before but I intend buying a new Cali T6/7 Ocean 4M within this year. However, I would like to know other long standing owners views on the best place to view new vans and discuss options with? e.g. specific dealers names/locations. Please note I live in Northern Scotland and anywhere south of Newcastle is a return flight away for me. I'm quite happy to do this but in order to maximise my time/cost I need to know where to concentrate my attention. I've looked around some of the VW dealers closest to me, (radius 200 miles) without joy. None of them even had any vans and they certainly couldn't answer some of my most basic questions. Grateful for your help/advice. Thanks in advance. Ronnie

 

[colintfcolintf]

its a bit of a trek for you, but Breeze at Poole are highly regarded by many

 

[Stargazing]

Welcome Ronnie - there is quite a difference between the new Cali T7 Multivan and 6.1 which is the transporter based model. You are more likely to get hens teeth now with the 6.1 discontinued, but there are some likely candidates lurking around out there, nearly new with great options and little mileage.
Do your homework on what you require from a vehicle and talk to as many dealers as you can as there is a spectrum of dealer knowledge and understanding out there. Pity there is nothing up your way as prices are usually keener. As @colinfcolinf has said, some dealers will look after you more than others, so maybe a flight down and a vehicle to drive back with a few overnights might be a good option. Always get a video of any potential vehicle before you travel and check the spec/options are what you want with the dealer (some have bought vehicles thinking swivel seats are a given and had a shock on collection) and have a night or two near the dealer to iron out queries and snags etc. Good luck and take your time.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Do you really really really need 4M?
I’ve been places in a fwd car equipped with winter tyres that some 4x4’s appeared unable to go! It might open up the possibilities if you don’t need it…

 

[kpttnuts-beach]

Cameron’s commercial vw dealership in Dyce? That’s where we got our campervan. Nice staff and a range of vehicles to see.

 

[kpttnuts-beach]

Sorry that should have been John Clark VW dealership Dyce!!

 

[Doric_loon]

Hi Ronnie, NE Scotland here

We ended up buying our van from Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre Wooburn Green as they offered a much better deal and went out of their way to help us find the right van. They picked me up from LHR and I drove the van home, spending 1 night in the van on the way back home

We started looking at 4Motion but after viewing several threads on here we opted for a 204 diesel and put some winter tyres on during the cold season. We had no problem in the cairngorms or locally when the road were covered in snow in December, no regrets

I would suggest hiring a 6.1 and see what you think with regards to storage space for a few days. Think about you're likely going to add (barbecues, bedding etc, lot's of videos out there to watch). The T7 offers some advantages but compromises on space, 1 burner hob and no sliding table. We opted for the 6.1 last August and no regrets at all, it was the right decision for us and what we use the van for 2 adults, 1 child and a large dog

 

[scottk]

Another from NE Scotland, just a few miles from Doric loon. We got ours from Breeze, Poole. Great service. Long trek but worth it. Clark’s commercials couldn’t touch the price and they don’t seem to care. They used to rent Calis, not sure if they still do. It was an excellent service but that was about 5 years ago.
There’s a dealer near Ratho, Edinburgh which always seems to have a lot of Calis.
Give me a shout if you want to have a look at our van.