ID. Buzz. We've done it!

[SusiBus]

Having just learnt I've lost my Buzz brother, "soulstyedevon" for reasons I fully understand, I thought I'd investigate the sanity of embarking on what for me was only intended to be a short term relationship before our new Cali arrives in the spring.
It seems that the First Edition Buzz was a bargain, if you can call a five seater van that in the real world will only do 200 miles on a charge, if you're lucky, and costs £ 65,500, a bargain!
Ten days ago we paid £65,485 for our Buzz. Not a discount in sight but we did get a nice key ring. The equivalent vehicle on the configurator today works out at about £67,000. We paid £1800 for the two-tone paintwork option, that's now been increased to £2790, similar to the Cali option.
What a difference 10 days make.

 

[Cwcltd]

Disclaimer is this isn't my new van, but a loan vehicle from VW Hereford whilst my Cali is with them for the morning; first impressions are; great external and interior design, quiet, nice to drive and spacious (boot seems huge). VW guys said the range in this current cold weather is below 200 miles. They've got a dark blue one in the showroom at about £64k.They also have a dark red new Ocean at £80k.

 

[SusiBus]

Took our Buzz to Vicarage Rd. Just needs a Watford FC decal on the side now.

 

[sidepod]

If it were that simple they would do it, but I bet there has to be some homologation process to complete and thats exceptionally expensive.

So pure guest on your part then?

 

[andyinluton]

Took our Buzz to Vicarage Rd. Just needs a Watford FC decal on the side now.

View attachment 104820

Love the van but not the location......

 

[soulstyledevon]

Love the van but not the location......

The Emirates would be more impressive…

 

[Corradobrit]

Or the Wasps Rugby ground

 

[soulstyledevon]

Or the Wasps Rugby ground

Have they not been evicted yet…?

 

[Holidaymaker]

UK B licence can drive up to 4.25 tonnes rather than 3.5tnnes if alternative fuel is used.

Vw is not make buzz for only Uk market but all world - each country is own license system - cannot make different car weight each country.

 

[SusiBus]

I now find myself back in Watford General Hospital, with another bout of Sepsis, just like when I order the Buzz back in July last year. So now seems a good time not only to focus again on the fragility of life, but life with our Buzz.

Charging has so far only come via our Ohme home charger, installed courtesy of VW Finance. We so far have not needed to venture out into the world of charging points.

Driving. Well it just makes you feel like Royalty as it wafts you along, not that I want to feel like the current Royalty. The take off in near silence, seated in the elevated seating position, affording good visibility despite those large A pillars. Sitting in the captain seats, which are rather comfortable, but being white, are already showing denim straining, just makes the beginning of any journey feel rather special.
As you travel along the car conveyor belt know as the M25, people lean out of their car to take a picture. A group of lycra lads give us the thumbs up (not on the M25). An other driver shouted out , it's beautiful. School kids coming out of school and smile at it. They feel the love, so do you driving it. VW are possibly onto a winner if what I've experienced can be turned into sales. The problem is the price. It's along time before smiling kids will be able to afford to buy one. VW will just have to hope those kids will be able to persuade Dad it's cool to turn up to school in a Buzz.

I know you want to know all about range. Well I'm sorry I've not done enough meaningful miles to make a good vue on range, but it doesn't look that good.

The one problem I'm struggling with is size. It's wide, 4" wider than a Cali, which makes mirror jousting a real possibility if you don't pay extra attention during town driving, which we do a lot of. Where it can win is down single track lanes. That wide bold yellow and white front coming towards them can even make the most arrogant Range Rover driver back up.

I love the EV driving experience. The instant acceleration, the regenerative braking, the feel of sure footed handling due to the low centre of gravity and wide track. Just wonderful!

What next with our Buzz life. See part 2

 

[Corradobrit]

Speedy recovery

 

[SusiBus]

Speedy recovery

Thanks Corradobrit:
In between blood tests etc, it is giving me plenty of time to weigh up which vehicle is right for us, a Cali or the Buzz, or infact a car again
We sold our Cali at the beginning of the pandemic, so have been out of active Wild Camping which is what we have a Cali for. Now with a few more health issues, I don't know if it will still be fisable, or at least enjoyable to return to a Cali.
The Buzz was bought as a bit of fun, fully intending to sell it when our new Cali arrives, but I really love the Buzz, but do I need a large car that has limited suitability in my life? No. What a shame it's not a Buzz California.
The current Buzz is really not the right vehicle for us. Also after enjoying years of very little deprecation, I think the current Buzz will not enjoy the same.

 

[soulstyledevon]

It’s still an awesome design @SusiBus, just needs a bit of fine tuning. I saw one yesterday and it really made me smile.
Glad you’re enjoying it.
I hope you make a speedy recovery

 

[Doorbundle]

I now find myself back in Watford General Hospital, with another bout of Sepsis, just like when I order the Buzz back in July last year. So now seems a good time not only to focus again on the fragility of life, but life with our Buzz.

Charging has so far only come via our Ohme home charger, installed courtesy of VW Finance. We so far have not needed to venture out into the world of charging points.

Driving. Well it just makes you feel like Royalty as it wafts you along, not that I want to feel like the current Royalty. The take off in near silence, seated in the elevated seating position, affording good visibility despite those large A pillars. Sitting in the captain seats, which are rather comfortable, but being white, are already showing denim straining, just makes the beginning of any journey feel rather special.
As you travel along the car conveyor belt know as the M25, people lean out of their car to take a picture. A group of lycra lads give us the thumbs up (not on the M25). An other driver shouted out , it's beautiful. School kids coming out of school and smile at it. They feel the love, so do you driving it. VW are possibly onto a winner if what I've experienced can be turned into sales. The problem is the price. It's along time before smiling kids will be able to afford to buy one. VW will just have to hope those kids will be able to persuade Dad it's cool to turn up to school in a Buzz.

I know you want to know all about range. Well I'm sorry I've not done enough meaningful miles to make a good vue on range, but it doesn't look that good.

The one problem I'm struggling with is size. It's wide, 4" wider than a Cali, which makes mirror jousting a real possibility if you don't pay extra attention during town driving, which we do a lot of. Where it can win is down single track lanes. That wide bold yellow and white front coming towards them can even make the most arrogant Range Rover driver back up.

I love the EV driving experience. The instant acceleration, the regenerative braking, the feel of sure footed handling due to the low centre of gravity and wide track. Just wonderful!

What next with our Buzz life. See part 2

A great read ,thank you. Get well soon!

 

[chockswahay]

@SusiBus you have had a good go at the Buzz and as you know there are a few of us who are still very envious. All the best!

 

[SusiBus]

I was welcomed home from the hospital with a big sunny smile, despite the ominous sky.
How her Pearlescent Lemon Yellow paintwork gleamed in the spring sun. Dispite her crooked teeth in that big wide smile, she's beautiful. How could I consider leaving her for another?
Another, who has her own kitchen, and more importantly bedroom and will go on all night, long after your have run out of energy. Oh Cali, despite your boring grey body, you're a tempting mistress.

 

[Perfectos]

Glad you made a speedy recovery.

What is life without temptation, enjoy your Hareem.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I was welcomed home from the hospital with a big sunny smile, despite the ominous sky.
How her Pearlescent Lemon Yellow paintwork gleamed in the spring sun. Dispite her crooked teeth in that big wide smile, she's beautiful. How could I consider leaving her for another?
Another, who has her own kitchen, and more importantly bedroom and will go on all night, long after your have run out of energy. Oh Cali, despite your boring grey body, you're a tempting mistress.

View attachment 106389

I really don’t think the Buzz is for you. Sell it to me,
£50k and two big hugs…

 

[chockswahay]

I really don’t think the Buzz is for you. Sell it to me,
£50k and two big hugs…

What! I’ll double the hugs AND include my last pack of Tangfastics

 

[Wannabecamperman]

If you want to have a faster charger fitted at home, you will need to have a spare slot on your household fuseboard as fast charger needs a dedicated 32amp fused supply. It’s alot quicker than charging from a 10amp 3 pin household plug. Charging at home is cheapest option.

Indeed. Depending on expected usage, I'd consider an EV tariff from your energy supplier. The PUBLIC charging rates are around 60p - 80p per KWh now!! This actually costs more per mile than a diesel vehicle!! And it gets worse in the winter as your range drops massively.

Even if you don't have an off-peak EV tariff (as low as 12p per kWh), your 3 pin plug should still only cost around 28-40p per kWh on most variable energy tariffs - much cheaper than at a public charger.

 

[SusiBus]

We've done it, SOLD THE BUZZ!
It was always our intention just to keep the Buzz until our new Cali arrived, which we requested for delivery in early May, and felt quite optimistic that it would arrive then based on the delivery current at that time, November 2022.
We have just been informed that it's build date has been put back indefinitely, well the VW system currently states build week 51. Which the dealer said "they have to put something in the system, and not to worry too much". So OK, I won't worry too much about not having a Cali for the summer like I expected to!
Back to the Buzz. As I said it was always our intention to only keep it a short while, then sell, so we have. It was a beautiful relationship while it lasted, but she's gone. Regrets I have a few, but it's over, gone.
We've seen the back of her.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Any idea what‘s causing the delay with your Cali? They were quoting 3-5 months when I ordered last week

 

[Corradobrit]

Any idea what‘s causing the delay with your Cali? They were quoting 3-5 months when I ordered last week

2 tone I think

 

[soulstyledevon]

We've done it, SOLD THE BUZZ!
It was always our intention just to keep the Buzz until our new Cali arrived, which we requested for delivery in early May, and felt quite optimistic that it would arrive then based on the delivery current at that time, November 2022.
We have just been informed that it's build date has been put back indefinitely, well the VW system currently states build week 51. Which the dealer said "they have to put something in the system, and not to worry too much". So OK, I won't worry too much about not having a Cali for the summer like I expected to!
Back to the Buzz. As I said it was always our intention to only keep it a short while, then sell, so we have. It was a beautiful relationship while it lasted, but she's gone. Regrets I have a few, but it's over, gone.
We've seen the back of her.View attachment 108013

You got to own one and I’m sure it was a lot of fun. I barely ever see one. I think I’ve spotted 3 and one of those was at the dealers.

It took me 2hrs to drive out of central London yesterday, I spotted a bright orange cargo on the M40, and it made me smile.
I still think they’re cool…

Would love to hear your honest pros and cons and would you ever buy another…?

 

[SusiBus]

Any idea what‘s causing the delay with your Cali? They were quoting 3-5 months when I ordered last week

It's only guesswork, but my suspicion is that it is because it is a 4Motion with a diff lock. VW haven't been taking orders for 4Mo's for quite a considerable time, so hopefully, as it's been on order for 6 months they do intend building it.