Trade in value

[clarinetbcn]

Buying an unused prereg with your choice of options at a discount is nirvana.

I've thought of my high spec low milage ex-demo Beach from a German VW dealer with a warranty from my local Westfalia agency who imported it to Spain as a unicorn, but nirvana does nicely.

I've only bought new once, a 1990 318is, BMW's first 16valve motor. I had heaps of fun with it for a year, and then in 1991 traded it ("in", trying to keep on topic!) for my first flat in Barcelona, which turned out to be a very good move.

 

[Karlos]

Totally agree with you.

You simply cannot put a value on memories. My biggest regrets are the holidays and trips with ou children we never took. Enjoy your children, those times will make you richer beyond anything else.

Couldn't have said it better Jen.

I have always maintained camping holidays can be the best holidays for kids, some of my favourite memories of my daughter growing up have been on camping holidays.

Now she wants to borrow the Cali for her honeymoon in October.

 

[OGII]

Now she wants to borrow the Cali for her honeymoon in October.

Blimey. What a dilemma. You may be happy to give your daughter away but your Cali? Even for a couple of weeks for a honeymoon.....

 

[Karlos]

Blimey. What a dilemma. You may be happy to give your daughter away but your Cali? Even for a couple of weeks for a honeymoon.....

Yes, it's not happening although I have seen on here people have lent their pride and joy to one of their kids.

 

[Borris]

Lending stuff to the kids has taught me three things:

1. If you want it back you usually have to go and get it.
2. It never comes back in the condition you lent it.
3. They very often don't know where it is because the grandchildren have gone off with it.

Consequently, the usual course of action is to write it off and order a new one. Whilst that's not an option where your Cali is concerned, have you thought about hiring one for their honeymoon as a wedding present?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Totally agree with you.

You simply cannot put a value on memories. My biggest regrets are the holidays and trips with ou children we never took. Enjoy your children, those times will make you richer beyond anything else.

I agree with that statement to a point.
However, you don't need to sink £60k into a Cali to create the experience and memories.
A simply converted ex builders van and a budget of £8k and you can still have a very similar experience to a California...
Been there done it, had a ball...

 

[Karlos]

Lending stuff to the kids has taught me three things:

1. If you want it back you usually have to go and get it.
2. It never comes back in the condition you lent it.
3. They very often don't know where it is because the grandchildren have gone off with it.

Consequently, the usual course of action is to write it off and order a new one. Whilst that's not an option where your Cali is concerned, have you thought about hiring one for their honeymoon as a wedding present?

That's a good idea Borris, I'll have a think about hiring. I lent them my floor tile adhesive notched trowel, it now resembles a grey brick with a convenient handle, daren't look at the tile cutter.

 

[OGII]

Been there done it, had a ball...

Me too. And as it was a T5 only lost about £800 over 10 years. Maybe I should have tried a pcp on it......

 

[Karlos]

I agree with that statement to a point.
However, you don't need to sink £60k into a Cali to create the experience and memories.
A simply converted ex builders van and a budget of £8k and you can still have a very similar experience to a California...
Been there done it, had a ball...

Agreed, I bought a Conway folding camper in 2001 for 5K, off a couple who bought it new used it for a weekend but it rained so they didn't like camping after that one weekend. Still got it, best 5k we ever spent and the memories well they priceless.

 

[westfalia]

Has this thread gone off topic now so anything goes?

If so, i would like a picture of a conway, or conway

 

[Karlos]

Has this thread gone off topic now so anything goes?

If so, i would like a picture of a conway, or conway

ProbablyJust for you westfaila.

 

[Borris]

That's a good idea Borris, I'll have a think about hiring. I lent them my floor tile adhesive notched trowel, it now resembles a grey brick with a convenient handle, daren't look at the tile cutter.

Sounds familiar!

 

[westfalia]

ProbablyJust for you westfaila.View attachment 60971

Nice, i like it.

 

[willwander]

View attachment 60972

Has this thread gone off topic now so anything goes?

If so, i would like a picture of a conway, or conway

 

[westfalia]

View attachment 60972

View attachment 60973

Castle?

 

[willwander]

Castle?

Never been

 

[oliver100]

I agree with that statement to a point.
However, you don't need to sink £60k into a Cali to create the experience and memories.
A simply converted ex builders van and a budget of £8k and you can still have a very similar experience to a California...
Been there done it, had a ball...

Out of interest what would people recommend as a bargain camper that could also be used as a comfortable daily and would happily rack up 50k over the next 4 years without too many issue’s? I looked at bongo’s when I started down this path as a proper budget alternative but in the end decided they were just too old and thirsty. Most Vw based conversions didn’t seem to make sense as they were approaching used California money, and used cali’s hold their value so well for that only high milers were cheap enough to make sense financially (still 30k plus in most cases) in comparison to just buying new when you consider strong residuals 4 year servicing, 5 warranty, first year tax etc. (My 6.1 ocean will be around 57k otr)

 

[OGII]

Out of interest what would people recommend as a bargain camper that could also be used as a comfortable daily and would happily rack up 50k over the next 4 years without too many issue’s?

Don't rule out a used VW. Whatever it is it will hold it's value disproportionately to a Transit etc. As a commercial vehicle they are designed to rack up mileages most car owners would worry about. In my case we bought a 120k miles ex Dolphin bathrooms 2006 LWB T5 in builders white. Spent £1k putting the old fashioned side opening pop up roof on it (chosen for cost and as the original high rated roof bars could still be used for multiple kayaks or sailing boats) had fun designing our own interior that didn't block access to using the load area from the back. 10 years, one alternator, new shocks and tyres and we sold it 70k miles later for £800 less than we paid. And if I'm honest I could probably have got more had I been willing to wait. Beats any Bongo.

 

[Vagophile]

If you were on a severe budget, a good Bongo converted to run on L.P.G. should be on your list. We are comparing chalk and cheese, but if someone wants a really low cost camper they're not likely to be in VW territory.

 

[Borris]

Hello Oliver,

Your forum description says that you are looking to buy. However I still don't really understand the reason for your question. If it's to confirm the rational behind spending a King's ransom on buying a Cali then you've probably already made that decision otherwise why be a member of the VW California Forum? Could you have got the same level of enjoyment and freedom from a purpose built campervan alternative or a conversion or even a builders van with a mattress and stove in the back? As far as you're concerned, I don't know. Could you "happily rack up 50k in four years without too many issues" in a cheaper alternative? I don't know that either. However, doing 50k over four years in a new Cali probably won't be trouble free either and if it isn't covered under warranty it's likely cost you much more to fix due to the added complexity, the more specialist diagnostics required and last but not least, main dealer rates.

These are all thoughts that go through ones head especially when it gets close to handing over your debit card. However, you can over think these things. Think with your heart as well as your head and make your decision. It won't be the end of the world but instead it may turn out to be the start of a whole new life.

 

[oliver100]

Just confirming my rational, I have a cali on order that may never turn up with everything going on , so have the option to walk away and look at other options. If someone with experience of similar situation came up with a killer alternative I would genuinely consider it. The draw of a California type van is I can use it as a daily as we don’t have space for a dedicated motor home and another small car. The new van does come with a 5 year warranty which a big draw as it’s not going to just be a toy to use for holidays.

I guess I wondered if anyone had used an Cali vehicle/conversion in this way and if it turned out to be a happy marriage on a daily basis or a miserable experience! The 6.1 I drove was very a very familiar modern car like experience , sure it didn’t handle like my outgoing f55 mini but that’s probably a bit unreasonable to expect with a kitchen sink behind you

 

[WelshGas]

Out of interest what would people recommend as a bargain camper that could also be used as a comfortable daily and would happily rack up 50k over the next 4 years without too many issue’s? I looked at bongo’s when I started down this path as a proper budget alternative but in the end decided they were just too old and thirsty. Most Vw based conversions didn’t seem to make sense as they were approaching used California money, and used cali’s hold their value so well for that only high milers were cheap enough to make sense financially (still 30k plus in most cases) in comparison to just buying new when you consider strong residuals 4 year servicing, 5 warranty, first year tax etc. (My 6.1 ocean will be around 57k otr)

How about 97,000 miles in 5 yrs and the only vehicle fault was an EGR valve replaced at 900 miles, 10 days after collection. Nothing since.

 

[willwander]

How about 97,000 miles in 5 yrs and the only vehicle fault was an EGR valve replaced at 900 miles, 10 days after collection. Nothing since.

Well it is well looked after

 

[WelshGas]

Well it is well looked after

Too True.

 

[Borris]

Just confirming my rational, I have a cali on order that may never turn up with everything going on , so have the option to walk away and look at other options. If someone with experience of similar situation came up with a killer alternative I would genuinely consider it. The draw of a California type van is I can use it as a daily as we don’t have space for a dedicated motor home and another small car. The new van does come with a 5 year warranty which a big draw as it’s not going to just be a toy to use for holidays.

I guess I wondered if anyone had used an Cali vehicle/conversion in this way and if it turned out to be a happy marriage on a daily basis or a miserable experience! The 6.1 I drove was very a very familiar modern car like experience , sure it didn’t handle like my outgoing f55 mini but that’s probably a bit unreasonable to expect with a kitchen sink behind you

Many owners use their Calis as their sole everyday car. The footprint of a Cali is no bigger than a largish car and it drives like one. It is taller but will still fit under most car park barriers. They are reasonably economical considering they are, in effect, a three tonne brick but are a lot more practical than a car for the full range of family needs. In fact, if you only have space for one vehicle in your life then Cali will meet all your needs better than any car will.

The cost of a new T6-1 will buy you a lot of different choice. In the end only you can decide what's right for you and yours. IMO though, despite it's shortcomings, the Cali still remains the gold standard.