Planning to get a Cali

[PipPip]

Hello
Just been browsing through various threads as we start researching a Cali. Suspect like many others we are planning to get one to coincide with early retirement. Currently have a salary sacrifice car (Tesla) which will be returned next spring when the lease is up. I will turn 55 in autumn next year. Not completely decided whether I do it in 2025 or 2026, but will retire very soon. We have considered various options to replace the Tesla and a Cali is top of the list. Undecided whether new or used at this stage. We are very much a road trip family, with most of our holidays involve driving across France, Switzerland and Italy. Pre-kids my wife and I hired a campervan and did much of Australia. We have two teens (15 and 17) and increasingly they want to do their own thing so I suspect it will just be my wife and I sleeping in the campervan. We are both keen cyclists and have watched quite a few TdF stages live over the years. With a campervan and the time to do it we would like to follow the tour and watch a good few stages. Would also just head off for good stints roaming Europe. My wife is a citizen of an EU country so as long as we don’t stay in any one country for over 90 days, the time restriction won’t apply to us.

 

[66tim99]

Hello
Just been browsing through various threads as we start researching a Cali. Suspect like many others we are planning to get one to coincide with early retirement. Currently have a salary sacrifice car (Tesla) which will be returned next spring when the lease is up. I will turn 55 in autumn next year. Not completely decided whether I do it in 2025 or 2026, but will retire very soon. We have considered various options to replace the Tesla and a Cali is top of the list. Undecided whether new or used at this stage. We are very much a road trip family, with most of our holidays involve driving across France, Switzerland and Italy. Pre-kids my wife and I hired a campervan and did much of Australia. We have two teens (15 and 17) and increasingly they want to do their own thing so I suspect it will just be my wife and I sleeping in the campervan. We are both keen cyclists and have watched quite a few TdF stages live over the years. With a campervan and the time to do it we would like to follow the tour and watch a good few stages. Would also just head off for good stints roaming Europe. My wife is a citizen of an EU country so as long as we don’t stay in any one country for over 90 days, the time restriction won’t apply to us.

Envious of your wife’s citizenship. Brexit foolishness put pain to my plans.
Cali sounds like a great idea for early retirement. We love ours. You can’t order a new T6.1 now though… the new multivan-based California will be available to order soon.

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

Can very much relate to your post. We purchased our new Ocean in Jan 24 and not regretted it for a moment - even though we had no previous experience in a campervan. I think you’d be very happy with a Cali, though if you’re planning on retiring in 25 or 26 you’ll need to be looking at the T7 if buying new. While very few have seen them in the flesh, I think the misgiving some have apply less if it’s just used by a couple.

 

[PipPip]

Thanks for the replies. Until a few days ago I wouldn’t have known what T6.1 or T7 means. I think we will most likely look for a used T6.1 having read comments about the T7 here!

 

[Californication69]

Thanks for the replies. Until a few days ago I wouldn’t have known what T6.1 or T7 means. I think we will most likely look for a used T6.1 having read comments about the T7 here!

Also look at a 2nd hand GC, Sven Hedin, Sprinter based camper.
They offer the luxury of hot water, superior heating, more room, more storage space, no compromise on if it’s raining when you pull up and have nowhere to sit and plan, cook a meal, go to bed, without the faff of a California.
Just something to plant the seed and wet the whistle.
I think when you’re retired you’ll need a 6m van tbh.
Take a look at them and write your list of wants don’t want. - need / must haves.
I think the T7 will suit my needs for the next 4 years, but will seriously consider the 3 I mentioned when I’m 57.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I'll be 54 in October, retiring at 60, so have taken plunge now, having toured europe most years since 2017 in a California, we decided that to fully utilise the freedom of the european campervan stops, a hotwater system and onboard toilet and washing facilities were essential. The California and our Swift Basecamp 2 were traded in last week for an Etrusco I 7400 SBC, so far it has swallowed up everything i have ever bought for touring and it isn't even half full, plus the beauty of travelling with beds made, kitchen stocked and fridge full and no faff at reorganising at each stop. The California was excellent at fulfilling a younger man/families needs, a car, a van, a camper but for retirement, for the money, there is a lot more choice out there, and space is the ultimate requirement.

 

[PipPip]

Will definitely look at other campers. Couple of things that would put me off for now. At home we have space for several cars and I know from owning bigger cars that anything bigger than a VW camper would be too big to fit. We will move house when I retire anyway so long term a full size camper shouldn’t be an issue. However, our plans at the moment are to split our time between hotels and the camper 50:50, rather than being full time campervanners. The van will likely be used more as a base for day bike rides a lot of the time. Suspect the California will work for us but we can always trade up later if needed.

 

[Californication69]

Will definitely look at other campers. Couple of things that would put me off for now. At home we have space for several cars and I know from owning bigger cars that anything bigger than a VW camper would be too big to fit. We will move house when I retire anyway so long term a full size camper shouldn’t be an issue. However, our plans at the moment are to split our time between hotels and the camper 50:50, rather than being full time campervanners. The van will likely be used more as a base for day bike rides a lot of the time. Suspect the California will work for us but we can always trade up later if needed.

Sounds exactly what my plan is for the next 4 years, then will see what’s in store for a bigger van.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Hello
Just been browsing through various threads as we start researching a Cali. Suspect like many others we are planning to get one to coincide with early retirement. Currently have a salary sacrifice car (Tesla) which will be returned next spring when the lease is up. I will turn 55 in autumn next year. Not completely decided whether I do it in 2025 or 2026, but will retire very soon. We have considered various options to replace the Tesla and a Cali is top of the list. Undecided whether new or used at this stage. We are very much a road trip family, with most of our holidays involve driving across France, Switzerland and Italy. Pre-kids my wife and I hired a campervan and did much of Australia. We have two teens (15 and 17) and increasingly they want to do their own thing so I suspect it will just be my wife and I sleeping in the campervan. We are both keen cyclists and have watched quite a few TdF stages live over the years. With a campervan and the time to do it we would like to follow the tour and watch a good few stages. Would also just head off for good stints roaming Europe. My wife is a citizen of an EU country so as long as we don’t stay in any one country for over 90 days, the time restriction won’t apply to us.

This sounds fantastic.
I am 54 and bought our 2008 Cali in 2009 when my wife was pregnant with our first child. We mainly tour France and Spain every summer. A year ago I bought a 5yr old 45k miles BMW i3 to replace our 2008 Golf Gti. I can recommend it as a 2nd car. I love it. Day trips and holidays we take the Cali, everything else the i3.
It’s quite good keeping the Cali loaded up with kit which might be frustrating for a daily drive.

 

[PipPip]

This sounds fantastic.
I am 54 and bought our 2008 Cali in 2009 when my wife was pregnant with our first child. We mainly tour France and Spain every summer. A year ago I bought a 5yr old 45k miles BMW i3 to replace our 2008 Golf Gti. I can recommend it as a 2nd car. I love it. Day trips and holidays we take the Cali, everything else the i3.
It’s quite good keeping the Cali loaded up with kit which might be frustrating for a daily drive.

I had an i3 from 2014 to 2016 and it was a good little car. Have also had a Zoe. Currently we have a Volvo Recharge C40 and a Tesla Model 3. Both are salary sacrifice leases ending in the next 18 months. When they go back the plan is a California for the main car and a small electric runabout. Could be another i3 or maybe a Mini Electric or an eNiro.

 

[PipPip]

This sounds fantastic.
I am 54 and bought our 2008 Cali in 2009 when my wife was pregnant with our first child. We mainly tour France and Spain every summer. A year ago I bought a 5yr old 45k miles BMW i3 to replace our 2008 Golf Gti. I can recommend it as a 2nd car. I love it. Day trips and holidays we take the Cali, everything else the i3.
It’s quite good keeping the Cali loaded up with kit which might be frustrating for a daily drive.

I had an i3 from 2014 to 2016 and it was a good little car. Have also had a Zoe. Currently we have a Volvo Recharge C40 and a Tesla Model 3. Both are salary sacrifice leases ending in the next 18 months. When they go back the plan is a California for the main car and a small electric runabout. Could be another i3 or maybe a Mini Electric an eNiro.