Hi all. Advice Required.

[Dikie M.]

Hi everyone. I’m looking to get myself a Cali, question is do I got for the “official” Cali or do I go down the conversion route. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[Richardhammond]

Only cali is official

 

[Scoots]

If you're looking for a VW Campervan the choice is Cali or conversion. If you're not stuck on VW there are a couple of other good brands (Mercedes Marco Polo and the Ford Nugget) and conversions on other bodies.

Some of the conversions are really good (Westfalia, Jerba etc) and some not so good.

Horses for courses - I've ordered a Cali

 

[Hotel California]

Serious ... ...do you think people on this this forum will advise you to buy a conversion?

 

[Elly Swanson]

All the conversions we looked at seemed dark and claustrophobic. The Cali is so light and airy. We looked for 4 years before choosing the cali.

 

[Meoncoast]

Hi @Dikie M. if your question is not a wind-up. I think most here would recommend the Cali but make your mind up by seeking out conversions local to you viewing and then look at a Cali make a comparison yourself.

 

[Wogga]

In the same boat but have discounted conversions, can’t see how a fixed rock and roll bed is practical. The moveable Cali setup allows you sit round a table, adjust storage space to suit your needs. Plus I like the fridge arrangement on the Cali don’t fancy being on my knees rooting out the cheese. Careful some of the conversions pricing can seriously rack up to get to a spec close to a Cali.

 

[Arie]

50+ year california experience counts

 

[Neilos]

We hired a conversation and it made our mind up we wanted a Beach. The conversion had a fixed bed, no boot and horrible curtains. If you can afford it the California will hold it’s value too. Totally biased opinion on here!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sad]

Hello @Dikie M.

Take the snarky comments with a pinch of salt, they're lovely really!

As others have said, a Cali is a Cali and a conversion is NOT a Cali. I reckon most on here have been through the same process, we found they just don't feel as good, can cost just as much, obviously not have the same support through the VW dealer network for the camping side, and not hold their value in the same way.

 

[Michael Minta]

We looked at the end of last year and picked thtee key things: moveable not fixed back seat/bench, pop top front to back (as opposed to side up) and built kitchen (ocean rather than beach). We test drove a fairly new conversion And nearly bought it but it sold before we had the cash (Long story and still annoyed). Then looked at a Cali, older but same price range and so much more solid and now, 6 months on , am so glad we did...so for me a full on Cali...common answer on here but then as has been said, you’re on a Cali site! Hope that helps.

 

[sidepod]

Serious ... ...do you think people on this this forum will advise you to buy a conversion?

Well they’ve advised buying a Beach before , so yeah.

 

[Coops]

Hi everyone. I’m looking to get myself a Cali, question is do I got for the “official” Cali or do I go down the conversion route. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

We have just purchased a 204 ocean 2017.
Spent lots of time looking and doing research, discussing with cali owner friends.
Conversion is not the way to go for lots of reasons. That's not to say there are not some impressive conversion out there.
Consider
Laminated side glass
Oil heating
Holes cut for cables etc
Resale value
Who has driven the van if second hand before conversion.

Few points you may wish to consider.
Have a happy search.y

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

I learnt a lot of things from my old (non VW) professional! camper conversation.

Rock n roll beds are impractical and in a lot of cases block access to the fridge when down.
They tent to be darker and a bit stuffy.
Carpeted walls and ceilings can look shabby really quickly.
In my van Insulation was poor in the hard to reach bits.

Also a decent spec Vanworx etc can cost more than a cali.
I have now ordered an Ocean and can't wait to get it.

 

[rod_vw]

As you see from my avatar I'm not a Cali owner but a serious VW enthusiast. I've converted five VWs in the last 16 years and have learned a lot about what we want/need from a camper.
My previous conversion on a T5.1 so you can see that sliding seat/bed is possible and that plenty of light can flow in plus you've much more space than a SWB Cali. That one is on a LWB Trend Line factory high roof so not the top notch base vehicle.

My current camper is on a LWB Highline T6 with a Reimo high roof with much the same fittings.

Cali or conversion is very much open to choice, we may have looked at a Cali seriously if only VW had continued beyond prototype of the LWB High roof, yes it did exist, I've seen it in the flesh.

 

[OGII]

In the same boat but have discounted conversations, can’t see how a fixed rock and roll bed is practical. The moveable Cali setup allows you sit round a table, adjust storage space to suit your needs. Plus I like the fridge arrangement on the Cali don’t fancy being on my knees rooting out the cheese. Careful some of the conversations pricing can seriously rack up to get to a spec close to a Cali.

We hired a conversation and it made our mind up we wanted a Beach.

Us Beach owners sometimes lack people to talk to. Hiring someone, that's genius

 

[Elly Swanson]

Serious ... ...do you think people on this this forum will advise you to buy a conversion?

Probably not, but they can explain the thought process they went through not to buy, which might help.

 

[SusiBus]

Considering a conversion, please don't post again!
Think Coca-Cola. A Cali is the real thing.

 

[Amonkeyhint]

I went through the same dilmma. It really depends on what you want from the van and your budget. A Cali isn’t for everyone.

The lack of boot space for a conversion was a killer blow for me and pricing up sliding rails in a conversion pushed the price of a van and conversion to similar money to a California (along with not going for a cheap poptop or interior). I also wanted to fit a roof box, and not many pop top roofs allow this without adding many £££.

If you’re on a budget, a conversion is the way to go, you can get a functional conversion for £8-10k, but if you’re after better quality conversion you’re looking at £15-20k.

I have a number of friends with conversions, who all comment on the superior quality of the California.

Finally, my california is my daily driver after being used to PCPs for the last few years. I’ve calculated that on the assumption that I will sell the Cali in 9 years time, I will save myself about £30k over the duration of my ownership.

The sliding door being on the wrong side is also a deciding factor - I think some people see beyond this problem, although I prefer it on the right for easier access on my driveway.

 

[Billywizz]

A van hacked about with a man/woman free hand on an angle grinder......I’d go California.

 

[GSX1300R]

We looked at the end of last year and picked thtee key things: moveable not fixed back seat/bench, pop top front to back (as opposed to side up) and built kitchen (ocean rather than beach). We test drove a fairly new conversion And nearly bought it but it sold before we had the cash (Long story and still annoyed). Then looked at a Cali, older but same price range and so much more solid and now, 6 months on , am so glad we did...so for me a full on Cali...common answer on here but then as has been said, you’re on a Cali site! Hope that helps.

We picked the California for exactly the same reasons as you. Looked at a conversion and gave it much thought but in the end bit the bullet and bought a new California..Had it 5 years and yes it has had its problems but don’t regret buying it for one second..Plus of coarse it’s value has hardly moved in the 5 years we’ve had it.

 

[Suffolk Man]

I've said before, there isn't a right answer to the ultimate question of cali or conversion. We took a couple of years to make up our minds and went for a Jerba conversion because

• The sliding door is on the left
• The roof has an unzippable fully removable canvas
• 100w solar panel on the roof
• Fibreglass roof with no corrosion issues
• Fridge with an icebox
• The rock n roll bed folds open to reveal a perfectly flat surface to sleep on, not the contoured seat cushion
• Room for two gas cylinders in the gas locker
• Two twin 13A power sockets

Yes the extras do add a lot to the price of a conversion, and the cali has smoother looking fixtures, but I can't find any of the above features in the cali brochure.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. What is right for us may be wrong for you, and vice versa. I think everyone will agree that the concept of a campervan based on a VW transporter is the right one. Whether you go for cali or conversion is a secondary issue.

Enjoy it !

 

[Wildcamper]

Hi everyone. I’m looking to get myself a Cali, question is do I got for the “official” Cali or do I go down the conversion route. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

It depends what you want. The Cali is great but it does have limitations, just as a conversion also has limitations. A good conversion say Jerba, Bilbo, Westfailia, Autohaus can be as good as a Cali - but of course it's not a Cali. With a conversion one can go with a LWB that can provide room for an onboard toilet, if that is important. Also a water heater, again if important. On internal colour, yes many are dark inside but it does not have to be that way. Autohaus do a conversion with a cream and pale blue interior which is bright and cheerful. With. Cali you get a Cali. If that is what you want great. With a conversion, at least with Autohaus, you can spec exactly what you want. Cali's are great, a good conversion can also be great. Decide what you want.

 

[Phoenix387]

It's very much a personal preference. If you don't need the extra space of an LWB and can live with the door on the RHS then a Cali is for you. Also the vehicle that a Cali is based on is the Caravelle so is already better equipped and soundproofed as a vehicle before VW set to work on it in the factory.

I agree that most conversions are not to the same standard as VW. We hired a few before taking the plunge and the quality of some was lamentable. In the end we went for a conversion but it had to have a sliding bed system like the Cali or the Reimo equivalent. Once you start looking at converters that offer this option then you are close to factory quality. Indeed, some hold VW type approval for their conversions and they can invariably be customised and personalised to your own taste. As long as that is not too wacky, the depreciation will be comparable.

What tends to affect depreciation is the base vehicle that is chosen. There are some very blingy glitzy looking campers out there that are based on very basic vehicles. An 85bhp startline T6 feels cheap no matter what you do to it.

With young children, a sliding door on the LHS and a double bench seat was a must, hence we ditched the Cali option. Cali or not, you will still have issues. Our van is only 2 1/2 years old and has had a new egr and cooler, problems with the sliding door lock, problems with the front collision assist and a new instrument cluster. We have also had a few minor issues resolved by the converter which, from reading this forum are similar to those with a genuine Cali such as roof etc....

The cost will be very similar and whatever you choose it will become an integral part of your family, contribute to some wonderful memories and constantly put a smile on your face in a way most other vehicles cannot!

P.S. Don't be influenced by some who claim that it has to be a Cali. Most VW owners are happy to see another camper on the road irrespective of where it was sourced. If it wasn't your camper, these people would be judging you by the size of your house, the phone you own, where you shop for food, clothes you wear etc....

 

[Wildcamper]

All the conversions we looked at seemed dark and claustrophobic. The Cali is so light and airy. We looked for 4 years before choosing the cali.

Conversions do not have to be dark. This is an Autohaus, VW approved converter, of a T6 LWB DSG 150 Highline base van. Bright and cheerful. It is a High Top that is great for winter camping but is pain for those 2m barriers. Picture taken from driver's seat. The two rear seats fold down with the turned round front seats to give a full width double bed. Toilet at the rear left and fitted with hot water that runs off gas and electric. Horses for courses but it is not a Cali if that is important to you.