66tim99
Super Poster
Lifetime VIP Member
Welcome here
Can we have a photo of it in its natural habitat?
What options are you glad you ticked?
johns6809
VIP Member
Got ours beginning of September which was also built in March. I was surprised to find how long it had been sat about somewhere. Grimsby I think.
O
Ocean100
Thanks for the welcome. To be honest the whole thing has been a bit quick, I've been muttering about getting a van to the wife for a while and she showed little to no interest. Then whilst on holiday I heard there was an opportunity to be made redundant (talk about uplifting) told her I was going to take it and suddenly she was on board. First I thought I'd be looking used at around £30-40k the she said better to buy a new one, well I nearly collapsed with shock, and wiggled my hearing aids stunned.
I was looking at some new conversions near where I live and was not overly impressed for various reasons. Started looking at some conversions up north that looked better, and she spotted our local VW van centre had an offer on so said we better have a look. Of course once I had a look, all the things that the California does so well were immediately obvious. I test drove the 204 which sealed the deal on that spec and it was a case of choosing from stock. It is Indium grey metallic. Pro dash , Towbar, and travel pack. Only extra I may have had if speccing is heated screen but not a fan of the wires in view so not bothered. No idea when it was built, how would I know? The 0% and 5 years warranty and service and 3 mots made it a no brainer against the alternatives, oh and no speed restrictions too.
Next dilemma is leather seats from DKS been looking at grey with cream flashings but the wife wants darker grey matching stitching no logos she is very practical
. Looking at a rear loading tray and full lowering towbar bike rack ( may have brand new VW tailgate rack for sale, never lift my ebike up there).
Negatives: voice commands are useless compared to my 9 year old Volvo XC60 and I had to let go my 25 year old one owner from new V70.
I was looking at some new conversions near where I live and was not overly impressed for various reasons. Started looking at some conversions up north that looked better, and she spotted our local VW van centre had an offer on so said we better have a look. Of course once I had a look, all the things that the California does so well were immediately obvious. I test drove the 204 which sealed the deal on that spec and it was a case of choosing from stock. It is Indium grey metallic. Pro dash , Towbar, and travel pack. Only extra I may have had if speccing is heated screen but not a fan of the wires in view so not bothered. No idea when it was built, how would I know? The 0% and 5 years warranty and service and 3 mots made it a no brainer against the alternatives, oh and no speed restrictions too.
Next dilemma is leather seats from DKS been looking at grey with cream flashings but the wife wants darker grey matching stitching no logos she is very practical
. Looking at a rear loading tray and full lowering towbar bike rack ( may have brand new VW tailgate rack for sale, never lift my ebike up there).Negatives: voice commands are useless compared to my 9 year old Volvo XC60
and I had to let go my 25 year old one owner from new V70.
66tim99
Super Poster
Lifetime VIP Member
Enjoyed your good news story (except the voice commands which I agree are useless - hand commands only marginally better - I do actually sometimes ‘swipe’).
I can recommend the Atera Genio Pro bike rack - mounts on the towbar; allows the tailgate to open with 1,2 or 3 bikes loaded; and folds up for storage in a bag. It is a bit heavy though. Quality bit of kit.
Enjoy your new freedom!
Perfectos
Super Poster
Lifetime VIP Member
Wot NO photos ?
+1 for DKS leather
K
Kernowboy
Lifetime VIP Member
So a 74 plate?? One of the very last, great choice.
Just missing a really special registration to set it off perfectly . Something like this…..
vwcaliforniaclub.com
Just missing a really special registration to set it off perfectly . Something like this…..
Accessories For Sale - VW74 CAL Private Registration
VW74 CAL. Held on V750 certificate of entitlement, ready to complement any vehicle (T6.1, GC, T7/MV California…..…) registered from 1st September onwards. Sadly my new Cali arrived too early to use. Price reduced to £850 ono.
vwcaliforniaclub.com
Stargazing
VIP Member
Have a look at the Atera Strada DL3 towball mounted bike rack. Drops away from the tailgate to allow opening and it only weighs 14.4 kg-great carrier. For a rear loading tray you can't do any worse than a Spacemate. As for voice commands I forget it, my other half more than makes up for it
O
Ocean100
"Wot NO photos ?" None that do it justice, patience is a virtue,
"So a 74 plate??" Yes 74 plate
"Just missing a really special registration", tempting but wifey wouldn't be amused spending that much, after all she doesn't want VW ,or California or Ocean embroided on the seats, according to her we already know those things, no soul
"Let us know if it has the special stickers" No don't think so.
"For a rear loading tray you can't do any worse than a Spacemate" Yes I have been looking at them and think a good choice.
I think the seats are going to end up a single tone of grey, zero frills. It's personal of course but long term might be easier to live with for us.
"So a 74 plate??" Yes 74 plate
"Just missing a really special registration", tempting but wifey wouldn't be amused spending that much, after all she doesn't want VW ,or California or Ocean embroided on the seats, according to her we already know those things, no soul
"Let us know if it has the special stickers" No don't think so.
"For a rear loading tray you can't do any worse than a Spacemate" Yes I have been looking at them and think a good choice.
I think the seats are going to end up a single tone of grey, zero frills. It's personal of course but long term might be easier to live with for us.
Perfectos
Super Poster
Lifetime VIP Member
wOT no photos = we don’t care = get some nice ones
Corradobrit
on second thoughts you're not missing much. VW what pathetic effort. The Cali Universe is officially poverty spec.
JoniF64
VIP Member
Hi and welcome. Your story reminds me of our journey 3 years ago when deciding upon a conversions etc. In the end we hired a conversion and visited Busfest festival at Malvern which was a great weekend. It was a research trip for us, but the thing that sealed our deal was talking to people camping on the California owners pitch. Having looked at the bling that you can get from a conversion verses the practicality and assurance of a VW built van, alongside a great price through drive the deal we came back and ordered our Ocean. Of course this was 2021 and the aftermath of Covid was still real, therefore we had a 12 month wait which was fine as it coincided with my retirement. We. took delivery just over 2 years ago and love it. Its now done 20,000 miles and we enjoyed the NC500, a trip into Europe as far as Switzerland and various UK short breaks in our first year. This year we hit Dubrovnik, via Slovenia returning through Italy and Austria, followed by a week in Belgium as well as some lovely local North East coastal trips with our 5 year old grandson (he loves the van!).Thanks for the welcome. To be honest the whole thing has been a bit quick, I've been muttering about getting a van to the wife for a while and she showed little to no interest. Then whilst on holiday I heard there was an opportunity to be made redundant (talk about uplifting) told her I was going to take it and suddenly she was on board. First I thought I'd be looking used at around £30-40k the she said better to buy a new one, well I nearly collapsed with shock, and wiggled my hearing aids stunned.
I was looking at some new conversions near where I live and was not overly impressed for various reasons. Started looking at some conversions up north that looked better, and she spotted our local VW van centre had an offer on so said we better have a look. Of course once I had a look, all the things that the California does so well were immediately obvious. I test drove the 204 which sealed the deal on that spec and it was a case of choosing from stock. It is Indium grey metallic. Pro dash , Towbar, and travel pack. Only extra I may have had if speccing is heated screen but not a fan of the wires in view so not bothered. No idea when it was built, how would I know? The 0% and 5 years warranty and service and 3 mots made it a no brainer against the alternatives, oh and no speed restrictions too.
Next dilemma is leather seats from DKS been looking at grey with cream flashings but the wife wants darker grey matching stitching no logos she is very practical
Negatives: voice commands are useless compared to my 9 year old Volvo XC60
So hopefully you will also have some adventures ahead, and my advice is to use it as often as you can, and definitely go into Europe. In the meantime, heres a few photos to tempt you. Enjoy!!
AdamsFamily
Can someone elaborate on DKS for me please - google isn't being helpful.
AdamsFamily
I'm toying with splashing out on the Atera.
I've got a Volvo branded Thule Easyfold XT which I'm tempted to try and modify so it can tilt further without laying on the ground, but wondering if its worth the hassle. Got a friend who says he'll gladly tinker with angles on the 3D printer so may be worth a shot.
AdamsFamily
See, I was thinking of knocking up my own version using the Last of The Mohicans logo and crossing out Mohicans and replacing with California
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