Help -Cannot Decide!! (Coast, Ocean, Marco Polo or Nugget)

[MrP]

Good Post. Add in the fact that all the new demand has left the campsites full and charging more than the empty hotels (OK slight exaggeration but you get the point).

Agreed. Good post dodothedub and 2into1.
I agree van prices. This year I saw an 11 year old Cali advertised for about what it was new. Last year for the same van they were advertised circa £7-10k less. Ludicrous.

I agreed regarding hotels as well. We went to Cornwall in the summer last minute like most. Camping was full and overpriced. Stayed in a lovely B&B centre of fishing village, no issues parking or having to pack up each day and an en-suite for not a lot more than a close by campsite. Seriously made us consider selling the van but we opted to keep it as we love it.

However, this does make me agree with previous posts. Tougher times are coming and a lot of people who bought this year will find campervanning is not for them which I suspect will surge second hand vans next year. Especially given the market is pretty saturated if you include all camper van types and converters. Campervanning isn't something new which does suggest this is just a fad due to COVID situation.

If I was looking to buy now, I would seek my inner patience and hold out for a deal next year. But then again I may be completely wrong, usually am!

 

[Calimili]

I think you should ignore the financial aspect. It’s not going to be an investment and what happened in the past with regards to Resale value may not happen in the future. Covid changed that. After Covid the market will be flooded with 3k miles 2020 mh and vans. If covid is over, people will go to the cheap hotel again because they realised how disgusting it is to empty the portapotti. Rolling up a hook up caple wet and dirty of mud. Sleeping in a tiny bed with a thin mattress. Camping isn’t for everyone.
why do you want a campervan? Which of the four will better suit your needs and wishes?
the nugget has a nice kitchen. Do you think you’ll really use it? Or will you get a great grill and cook outside smelly , tasty, big stakes?

 

[Thepuma]

I think you should ignore the financial aspect. It’s not going to be an investment and what happened in the past with regards to Resale value may not happen in the future. Covid changed that. After Covid the market will be flooded with 3k miles 2020 mh and vans. If covid is over, people will go to the cheap hotel again because they realised how disgusting it is to empty the portapotti. Rolling up a hook up caple wet and dirty of mud. Sleeping in a tiny bed with a thin mattress. Camping isn’t for everyone.
why do you want a campervan? Which of the four will better suit your needs and wishes?
the nugget has a nice kitchen. Do you think you’ll really use it? Or will you get a great grill and cook outside smelly , tasty, big stakes?

I suppose historically the VW Camper has always held its price well, id be surprised if that didn't continue to hold true for the foreseeable future. Obviously the current second hand prices cannot be maintained as they are falsely high, but I don't believe the bottom will fall out the market. Infact, with abroad holidays looking more and more unlikely for some time, id say tourism in the UK will be booming next year.

We shall see though.

 

[Nick.C]

The MP price is from Autoebid - I've attached the screenshot.

I get your point "why bother" - but my point being I guess is that this is my first camper, who knows if I will take to it? Who knows if ill lost my job in 12 months due to covid redundancies etc etc....BUT, if it costs very little due to resale values being so good, then to me its a no brainer, lifes too short - why not try it and find out rather than play safe and never know l, always wondering "what if".....I have the money in the bank earning 1% so I'm hardly losing much in interest by using it to buy a van.

And who know...I may absolutely love it and keep it ten years!!

The point being, its not a huge financial risk - not like paying £55k for a car and it being worth £40k in 12 months.

View attachment 67324

Might be worth hiring one for a couple of trips to see if you like it before taking the plunge and buying.

 

[Jenny H]

I'd be cautious about resale values especially when the market has been hugely buoyant with campervan sales this year. A dealer tolf me this week theyve done 3 years sales in 6 months! If the recession worsens (likely) and there are job losses etc, the market could well be flooded with second hands and then asking prices will drop. The figures you're seeing right now are not typical for Calis over the last 5-10 years. Yes, they hold value but not to the current extent. In my view, it's like buying at the top of a housing bubble.

Whilst I love them, they are not for everyone and I'd really recommend hiring them a few times before choosing to buy. Some people/families love them, others don't. In fact we bought our 5.1 from someone who's bought for his family and the kids hated it.

Also, as an aside, the Coast is new to the UK market so there are no resale records to consider. And now the Beach is coming back, it will be interesting to see if the Coast stays or goes, which could affect its resale either way.

Yes this exactly which seriously makes me question my madness of ordering one now!?!?

 

[Saul B]

Agreed. Good post dodothedub and 2into1.
I agree van prices. This year I saw an 11 year old Cali advertised for about what it was new. Last year for the same van they were advertised circa £7-10k less. Ludicrous.

I agreed regarding hotels as well. We went to Cornwall in the summer last minute like most. Camping was full and overpriced. Stayed in a lovely B&B centre of fishing village, no issues parking or having to pack up each day and an en-suite for not a lot more than a close by campsite. Seriously made us consider selling the van but we opted to keep it as we love it.

However, this does make me agree with previous posts. Tougher times are coming and a lot of people who bought this year will find campervanning is not for them which I suspect will surge second hand vans next year. Especially given the market is pretty saturated if you include all camper van types and converters. Campervanning isn't something new which does suggest this is just a fad due to COVID situation.

If I was looking to buy now, I would seek my inner patience and hold out for a deal next year. But then again I may be completely wrong, usually am!

To complement your thinking...I think there is another factor - how many orders for new vehicles will be cancelled "IF" the 6-10% import tariff is applied to vehicles built, but not delivered, or in transit by 1st Jan 21?

Another reason to hold out for a better deal?

 

[GrannyJen]

I think that for every year I have owned a camper the perennial pops up "Now is the wrong time to buy.... factor in all these possibles and you must be mad to buy now".

Then a few months on it's "I can't get a camper, second hand prices are ridiculous, what can I do?"

If you want one, I suggest that you get one. There are so many unpredictable variables bobbing around it's almost impossible to even try and predict. I popped out the other day to buy a Hymer AR and deliveries are July onwards unless you want a stock order. Equally caravans, The Knaus I ordered was a 6 month wait time.

Even with a 10% tariff there is a lot of redirected holiday dosh going into independent travel.

 

[GrannyJen]

To complement your thinking...I think there is another factor - how many orders for new vehicles will be cancelled "IF" the 6-10% import tariff is applied to vehicles built, but not delivered, or in transit by 1st Jan 21?

Another reason to hold out for a better deal?

Given that every contract for new vehicles now is expressly saying the agreed price is not limited by changes in taxes or tariffs how many people are going to be prepared to stump up an extra £5k or walk away writing off their deposit, which could well be for the same amount?

Just to cite my own example, I'm prepared to stump up if I get the hit but if I don't stump up there is one less Cali going to be in the second hand market.

All so unpredictable, as always

 

[Saul B]

Given that every contract for new vehicles now is expressly saying the agreed price is not limited by changes in taxes or tariffs how many people are going to be prepared to stump up an extra £5k or walk away writing off their deposit, which could well be for the same amount?

Just to cite my own example, I'm prepared to stump up if I get the hit but if I don't stump up there is one less Cali going to be in the second hand market.

All so unpredictable, as always

I wouldn't disagree, it was like platting fog trying assessing the risk/ops on whether to buy one at the moment.

So I placed an order on the 25th!

I make a career out of getting in and out of contracts so happy to take on VWCV!

Fingers crossed the build week is favorable and it leaves the docks before 12 bells on NYE...

 

[Borris]

I think you've already decided so go with your "head".

I'm sure they are all reasonable options but since residual values seem to be of prime importance to you, look at each van's following. How many clubs, magazines, forums and meets does each make enjoy. It's that following and interest that keeps a vehicle popular. Popularity goes hand in hand with demand and it's demand over supply that keeps the values high. So forget the Merc and the Ford and go for one of the VWs. You say your head says Coast so follow your head. Always better than following your heart.

 

[Thepuma]

Given that every contract for new vehicles now is expressly saying the agreed price is not limited by changes in taxes or tariffs how many people are going to be prepared to stump up an extra £5k or walk away writing off their deposit, which could well be for the same amount?

Just to cite my own example, I'm prepared to stump up if I get the hit but if I don't stump up there is one less Cali going to be in the second hand market.

All so unpredictable, as always

At Tonbridge I was told that I would get my deposit back in full if the van was delivered in 2021 and the No deal brexit tax meant it was extra to what was quoted.

So really, its zero risk.

 

[Thepuma]

I think you've already decided so go with your "head".

I'm sure they are all reasonable options but since residual values seem to be of prime importance to you, look at each van's following. How many clubs, magazines, forums and meets does each make enjoy. It's that following and interest that keeps a vehicle popular. Popularity goes hand in hand with demand and it's demand over supply that keeps the values high. So forget the Merc and the Ford and go for one of the VWs. You say your head says Coast so follow your head. Always better than following your heart.

I think its looking like a Coast with just the canopy full zip open window and 'maybe' a colour other than the free 2 options (need to see them in the flesh first). I can pretty much do without any of the other extras.

 

[Camperfamily]

I think its looking like a Coast with just the canopy full zip open window and 'maybe' a colour other than the free 2 options (need to see them in the flesh first). I can pretty much do without any of the other extras.

If you’ve got passengers travelling in the back, and intend using the van in sunmer, I would strongly encourage 3 zone climatronic otherwise no air con in the rear cab

 

[Wongo]

Ocean is already loaded but a Ciast with extras will still be a Coast come resale value.
Buy what you LIKE, life as we know is short..

 

[Saul B]

At Tonbridge I was told that I would get my deposit back in full if the van was delivered in 2021 and the No deal brexit tax meant it was extra to what was quoted.

So really, its zero risk.

That's the same basis i placed my order with SMG on.

 

[Thepuma]

If you’ve got passengers travelling in the back, and intend using the van in sunmer, I would strongly encourage 3 zone climatronic otherwise no air con in the rear cab

There's only 2 of us.

Can the aircon be used when the van is not running?

 

[2into1]

Can the aircon be used when the van is not running?

Nope.

 

[Thepuma]

Nope.

So if there's only 2 people and nobody in the back, the 3 zone Aircon is probably not worth it then?

 

[Thepuma]

Ocean is already loaded but a Ciast with extras will still be a Coast come resale value.
Buy what you LIKE, life as we know is short..

I totally agree, life is too short. I think for me, there's only the panorama canopy window that I'm that fussed about that the Coast doesn't have, so for me its a waste to spend £8000 extra for the Ocean.....I will most likely get the coast and pay £270 for the panorama canopy.

Just got to check the colours and see if I like the base colours or if I see value in paying £760 for a metallic.

So my Cali will be £49,700 and hopefully get it February.

 

[andyinluton]

I am the owner of a SE with just the front aircon, I am perfectly happy with it with even 5 in the van in Spain in the summer it seems to cope fine.
Whenever the question comes up there are loads of people on here that will insist on the 3 zone set up, I don't know how many of them have actually tried the basic version.
What I would say however is that the tinted glass may pay a large part in keeping the van relatively cool in the back & you may want to consider that as an option.

 

[Manic]

Just got to check the colours and see if I like the base colours or if I see value in paying £760 for a metallic.

 

[Jenny H]

If you’ve got passengers travelling in the back, and intend using the van in sunmer, I would strongly encourage 3 zone climatronic otherwise no air con in the rear cab

Hello - Im a bit confused about this climatronic option - sorry! - I thought its not just aircon but the heating as well & I thought you could use the panel in the back when you are parked up - I have looked on youtube videos about cars but please could somebody help me !?!?

 

[Jay20cali]

It’s the same as the front
It’s heat and ac

 

[Manic]

The red looks loads better in real life, My first choice was blue but my wife really like the red and it was free. I had sleepless nights worrying the van would look like PAT 1. A month in and I absolutely love it and get nice comments.

 

[Jenny H]

It’s the same as the front
It’s heat and ac

Thanku Jay & can it be used when parked/camped up