Has a new Cali become just too expensive?

[Karlos]

I'm sure you are right. I'm certain that there are numerous reasons for the increase and I haven't tried to identify them. My question 'HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE?' was posed purely to elicit members views on the cost of buying a new Cali. In retrospect I should have added four more words to that question: HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT IT IS?

A pole on purchasing thoughts would be an interesting addition to your thread Borris to see how many people intend to keep their current Cali indefinitely, who will possibly purchase an Ocean, who will go for a Coast and who would go for a Beach if they were available & who is waiting to see what happens re the B word.

 

[Borris]

A pole on purchasing thoughts would be an interesting addition to your thread Borris to see how many people intend to keep their current Cali indefinitely, who will possibly purchase an Ocean, who will go for a Coast and who would go for a Beach if they were available & who is waiting to see what happens re the B word.

That's an interesting thought although I'm not sure how I would go about doing such a poll within this thread.

For me the answer would have to be that my current Cali Beach is a keeper. Since I don't want an Ocean or a Coast I currently have no choice but to keep it. Fortunately, it was specced and purchased with that long term purpose in mind.

 

[Eber123]

But would a Hymer hold it's value like a Cali?

Good afternoon,

I am not sure how well the Hymer would keep it's value. I assume that a Mercedes Sprinter, especially with the wonderful 190 HP engine and superb automatic alone will keep the value.

On the other hand I read a lot that the California keeps it's value. I've been told that I might get EUR 45,000 for my 2017 Ocean with 43,000 km and well kept. It does not feel a very lot to me. The list price in 2017 was EUR 70,000. In theory I Iost EUR 25,000 in 3x years, which is about EUR 8,400 per year.

But the California is more than a vehicle and therefore it cannot (or should not) be calculated like a normal car which is an investment and approached more with the calculator and not with the heart.

Happy California,
Eberhard

 

[calibusje]

I'm sure you are right. I'm certain that there are numerous reasons for the increase but I haven't tried to identify them. My question 'HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE?' was posed purely to elicit members views on the cost of buying a new Cali. In retrospect I should have added four more words to that question: HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT IT IS?

The responses so far have been interesting and as expected they have been mixed. However whilst not intended as an extensive survey, a significant number of responses appear to show that maybe that ceiling may have been reached or at least if not quite, very nearly.

hello, I wonder: I see you respond to some posts and not to others, is this because you agree or not at all or have no interest in some opinions?
Was the question only asked to get confirmation? I wrote a clear answer to your question (and no, I do not think a new cali has become just too expensive).
Or is it because I am from Belgium and therefore have no idea whether or not the price is too high for a California? Perhaps your question was only about UK vehicles? I'm guessing.
I don't want to cause any issues, just know your thoughts on what I think about your initial question: 'HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE?' After all, you ask a question and get answers, you respond to some and not others, hence this response. No more no less.
As I wrote: I thought it was an interesting post that brought a lot of enthusiasm and I read all the responses with pleasure and interest.


Greetings

 

[DoctorBob]

hello, I wonder: I see you respond to some posts and not to others, is this because you agree or not at all or have no interest in some opinions?
Was the question only asked to get confirmation? I wrote a clear answer to your question (and no, I do not think a new cali has become just too expensive).
Or is it because I am from Belgium and therefore have no idea whether or not the price is too high for a California? Perhaps your question was only about UK vehicles? I'm guessing.
I don't want to cause any issues, just know your thoughts on what I think about your initial question: 'HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE?' After all, you ask a question and get answers, you respond to some and not others, hence this response. No more no less.
As I wrote: I thought it was an interesting post that brought a lot of enthusiasm and I read all the responses with pleasure and interest.


Greetings

On balance I think the Cali is in line with most OEM vehicles for sale these days - if you compare it with most of the land rover, Mercs or Bmw suv range it’s about the same price to buy - 60 to 80k sterling depending on spec. However the specialist nature of the vehicle means that whilst being usable to the same extent as those land rovers/Bmw etc It’s depreciation curve is a lot shallower, meaning as a proposition it’s a sensible purchase and you should keep a Lot more of your investment: so I think it’s probably fair value all up.

IMO It’s no good lamenting The value of the constituent parts (it’s just a panel van etc) as that’s not how value chains/capitalism works (see software - developed/written once then just Copied and distributed digitally with no regard to the “cost” of production/development). They are great, popular, People are prepared to pay for them and hold there value. Kind of not much else to say really...

 

[ilomax]

Yes, that's surely a part of the reasons.
See my previous post with pound/euro chart.

I just did a quick check on the prices for Jahreswagen Calis on a German website, they range from €65,000 upto about € 80,000. For comparison I bought my SE 170 as a Jahreswagen in early 2013 and paid €68,000. It was an ex-demonstration model so so fairly highly spec'd,
And the cost did include having an awning fitted and a set of winter wheels as well as the summer alloys. Based on that I don't think that ex factory prices have actually gone up

Schnell verfügbare Neu-, Jahres- und Gebrauchtwagen | Details

Finden Sie Ihr Wunschfahrzeug ganz nach Ihren Vorstellungen und Ausstattungskriterien.

partner.nutzfahrzeugsuche.de

 

[ilomax]

I just did a quick check on the prices for Jahreswagen Calis on a German website, they range from €65,000 upto about € 80,000. For comparison I bought my SE 170 as a Jahreswagen in early 2013 and paid €68,000. It was an ex-demonstration model so so fairly highly spec'd,
And the cost did include having an awning fitted and a set of winter wheels as well as the summer alloys. Based on that I don't think that ex factory prices have actually gone up

Schnell verfügbare Neu-, Jahres- und Gebrauchtwagen | Details

Finden Sie Ihr Wunschfahrzeug ganz nach Ihren Vorstellungen und Ausstattungskriterien.

partner.nutzfahrzeugsuche.de

Should have said too much when inflation is taken in to account.

 

[calibusje]

On balance I think the Cali is in line with most OEM vehicles for sale these days - if you compare it with most of the land rover, Mercs or Bmw suv range it’s about the same price to buy - 60 to 80k sterling depending on spec. However the specialist nature of the vehicle means that whilst being usable to the same extent as those land rovers/Bmw etc It’s depreciation curve is a lot shallower, meaning as a proposition it’s a sensible purchase and you should keep a Lot more of your investment: so I think it’s probably fair value all up.

IMO It’s no good lamenting The value of the constituent parts (it’s just a panel van etc) as that’s not how value chains/capitalism works (see software - developed/written once then just Copied and distributed digitally with no regard to the “cost” of production/development). They are great, popular, People are prepared to pay for them and hold there value. Kind of not much else to say really...

very good and I agree (just don't understand why you quote me? Or... are you Borris? )

 

[Legin]

My deduction.. Its only too expensive when VW cant sell them anymore. Expensive would be better defined as lifecycle cost rather than purchase price, so far its saving grace.
If the question was are VW taking us to the cleaners ? Well yes they are, I feel well rinsed.

 

[DoctorBob]

very good and I agree (just don't understand why you quote me? Or... are you Borris? )

Apologies - No reason for quoting you - was meant to be a general reply

 

[Borris]

hello, I wonder: I see you respond to some posts and not to others, is this because you agree or not at all or have no interest in some opinions?
Was the question only asked to get confirmation? I wrote a clear answer to your question (and no, I do not think a new cali has become just too expensive).
Or is it because I am from Belgium and therefore have no idea whether or not the price is too high for a California? Perhaps your question was only about UK vehicles? I'm guessing.
I don't want to cause any issues, just know your thoughts on what I think about your initial question: 'HAS A NEW CALI BECOME JUST TOO EXPENSIVE?' After all, you ask a question and get answers, you respond to some and not others, hence this response. No more no less.
As I wrote: I thought it was an interesting post that brought a lot of enthusiasm and I read all the responses with pleasure and interest.


Greetings

Hello Calibusje,
I posed the question as I felt it was an interesting topic. Having read numerous posts in the past referring to the ever increasing price of a new Cali I'm sure the question asked in my thread is one that crosses many buyer's minds when considering a purchase.

Do I have the answer? No of course not. I'm not even sure that there is a definitive answer. Everyone has a different view point and that is what I am interested in reading. Do I have an opinion? Yes but that isn't written in stone and it may have changed by the end of this thread. There have been some very interesting answers saying both yes it is too expensive or as in your case, no it isn't. I feel it's important to let the debate run it's course without constantly replying to every post and yes I am interested in every reponse regardless of where someone lives or their nationality.

I'm sorry if I didn't reply to your posts but I can assure that I have read them all with interest as well as all of the others posted on my thread. I always respect other's opinions and I can assure you that I am not ignoring anyone. However, I don't feel the need to reply to every post as my opinion isn't that important in the overall debate and I also have other things to do. My main role was to light the blue touch paper by posing the question. That's not to say that I won't be posting some form of conclusion once the debate has run it's course.

I must say that I enjoyed your post #37 especially because if it were I buying a Coast then your choice is almost exactly what I would go for. Although in white not red. Manual roof, Devonport alloys, flat paint, and only options that you will actually use are all very practical. I'm sure it will prove every bit as enjoyable as your previous van.

As something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it then only sales figures will eventually give the answer posed in the question. Since UK sales had been falling prior to the introduction of the T6-1 and Covid it will be interesting to see what these figures show.

 

[calibusje]

Apologies - No reason for quoting you - was meant to be a general reply

I thought so, no problem. Certainly no apologies needed.
It's just like this: I don't immediately understand everything in your language and sometimes have to look up something, and maybe I don't always express myself well in English.

Greetings and enjoy your T6.1

 

[calibusje]

Hello Calibusje,
I posed the question as I felt it was an interesting topic. Having read numerous posts in the past referring to the ever increasing price of a new Cali I'm sure the question asked in my thread is one that crosses many buyer's minds when considering a purchase.

Do I have the answer? No of course not. I'm not even sure that there is a definitive answer. Everyone has a different view point and that is what I am interested in reading. Do I have an opinion? Yes but that isn't written in stone and it may have changed by the end of this thread. There have been some very interesting answers saying both yes it is too expensive or as in your case, no it isn't. I feel it's important to let the debate run it's course without constantly replying to every post and yes I am interested in every reponse regardless of where someone lives or their nationality.

I'm sorry if I didn't reply to your posts but I can assure that I have read them all with interest as well as all of the others posted on my thread. I always respect other's opinions and I can assure you that I am not ignoring anyone. However, I don't feel the need to reply to every post as my opinion isn't that important in the overall debate and I also have other things to do. My main role was to light the blue touch paper by posing the question. That's not to say that I won't be posting some form of conclusion once the debate has run it's course.

I must say that I enjoyed your post #37 especially because if it were I buying a Coast then your choice is almost exactly what I would go for. Although in white not red. Manual roof, Devonport alloys, flat paint, and only options that you will actually use are all very practical. I'm sure it will prove every bit as enjoyable as your previous van.

As something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it then only sales figures will eventually give the answer posed in the question. Since UK sales had been falling prior to the introduction of the T6-1 and Covid it will be interesting to see what these figures show.

Hello Borris
Thank you for your answer. 'To light the blue touch paper', I had to look that one it up and indeed, it causes excitement. I have already thoroughly enjoyed this post: very informative (yes, I have already learned a bit here) and the many responses are also a very pleasant pastime to read. An opinion that is not carved in stone and can change: I think this is a nice quality. Each has a choice and like you say: in this one there is not a definitive answer or the sales should drop to almost nothing.
The cherry red, I know: not everyone's choice; it's more the spouse her choise and I agreed (I was just looking for an easy color).
Keep enjoying your beach!

Greetings

 

[Borris]

Hello Borris
Thank you for your answer. 'To light the blue touch paper', I had to look that one it up and indeed, it causes excitement. I have already thoroughly enjoyed this post: very informative (yes, I have already learned a bit here) and the many responses are also a very pleasant pastime to read. An opinion that is not carved in stone and can change: I think this is a nice quality. Each has a choice and like you say: in this one there is not a definitive answer or the sales should drop to almost nothing.
The cherry red, I know: not everyone's choice; it's more the spouse her choise and I agreed (I was just looking for an easy color).
Keep enjoying your beach!

Greetings

Red is a nice colour. It's just that I used to be a fire fighter where everything was painted red!

 

[TripleBee]

No it hasn't. It has always been too expensive. Just all the safety/environmental features have given it a big boost. All those unneeded driver's aids, AdBlue, newer/complexer engines, that makes it a lot more expensive.
For the rest it's just same old 2003 Transporter. So it should have been less expensive.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

No it hasn't. It has always been too expensive. Just all the safety/environmental features have given it a big boost. All those unneeded driver's aids, AdBlue, newer/complexer engines, that makes it a lot more expensive.
For the rest it's just same old 2003 Transporter. So it should have been less expensive.

Email from DtD this morning:-

We are sending this email as we have been informed that the on-the-road (OTR) list price of Volkswagen California models will increase by £1,056 on Thursday1st October 2020.
Due to the large volume of orders, we are taking at the moment, we recommend that you place your order by Tuesday 29th September to allow the dealer time to process your order.
Any orders placed before this date will be secured at the lower price.
Please visit www.drivethedeal.com to take an updated quote.
We have sent you this email because you have recently taken a quote for a Volkswagen California, we hope you have found it useful.
If you have recently ordered a new Volkswagen California through ourselves please disregard this email.
With best regards,
Broker Team

 

[Yorkshire Tyke]

I just paid £58k for a one year old ocean with every extra you could think of , and I’m very very pleased with it, money sitting in the bank doing nothing so enjoy it .
just to put it in to perspective first house cost £4000 in 1970,
second house with three acres of land £58k in 1985.
Mmm

 

[Rexy99]

Woah there boy. That's a bold statement that you are going to have to elaborate on.

OK, so this was the journey (spread over 6 months so didn't have the outlay all in one go but neither did I need PSP...

Start with an 11 month old 7000 mile Highlight Kombi 150 (2+1 front seats was the one I wanted). All the driving luxuries (aircon, parking sensors, cruise control) plus proper VW sliding windows (I hate the aftermarket ones with recessed glass - just my OCD) and of course, the sliding door on the correct side for the UK. Cost £27k from a VW dealer with full service and warrantee. Put the back seats on Gumtree, £750 back 2 days later.

Add: A quality pop top roof with solar panel (Skyline in my case), full sound and thermal insulation, Eberspacher diesel heater, leather 3 seater (crash tested) RIB rear bed (2 seater also available), full furniture pack (in any colour you want - or wood effect), sink, 2 burner hob, underslung LPG gas (why would you want a gas bottle inside?!), water, 240V and 12V electrics, fridge, satnav + reversing camera, day time / night time dimmable interior spot lights and Bilstein adjustable suspension (optional!). Total (inc the van) = £40k. No problems with insurance, VW warrantee still intact and I'm pretty confident it will hold it's value.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Cali (apart from the door being on the wrong side ), but I needed more than 4 seats for an every day van/car which could house the family. I must admit, I'm pretty chuffed with the value though.

 

[GrannyJen]

But would a Hymer hold it's value like a Cali?

An interesting question.

I have just specced a Hymer Ayres Rock, without pop top, £65k, and I very much doubt the residuals well even approach California territory.

 

[2into1]

OK, so this was the journey (spread over 6 months so didn't have the outlay all in one go but neither did I need PSP...

Start with an 11 month old 7000 mile Highlight Kombi 150 (2+1 front seats was the one I wanted). All the driving luxuries (aircon, parking sensors, cruise control) plus proper VW sliding windows (I hate the aftermarket ones with recessed glass - just my OCD) and of course, the sliding door on the correct side for the UK. Cost £27k from a VW dealer with full service and warrantee. Put the back seats on Gumtree, £750 back 2 days later.

Add: A quality pop top roof with solar panel (Skyline in my case), full sound and thermal insulation, Eberspacher diesel heater, leather 3 seater (crash tested) RIB rear bed (2 seater also available), full furniture pack (in any colour you want - or wood effect), sink, 2 burner hob, underslung LPG gas (why would you want a gas bottle inside?!), water, 240V and 12V electrics, fridge, satnav + reversing camera, day time / night time dimmable interior spot lights and Bilstein adjustable suspension (optional!). Total (inc the van) = £40k. No problems with insurance, VW warrantee still intact and I'm pretty confident it will hold it's value.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Cali (apart from the door being on the wrong side ), but I needed more than 4 seats for an every day van/car which could house the family. I must admit, I'm pretty chuffed with the value though.

Ok, so I pulled you up because you’d said your T6 conversion had come in at “half the price of a Cali” which didn’t tally with other experiences documented here. It seems it doesn’t tally with reality either - as your 1 yr old 150 hp conversion cost £40k when post #142 shows a fully loaded 199hp Ocean of the same age cost £58k. Perhaps a standard 150 Ocean spec would have been £55k even in these mad times.

I know you aren’t knocking Cali’s, and I’m not knocking Conversions (I may well go a similar route with LWB and fit a high top and unique layout), but I expect it will cost me virtually Cali money (unless I go for a higher mileage donor van) and I wouldn’t expect it hold its value like a Cali.