Why a Beach was the Question.

[Meoncoast]

I was going to post why a Beach, and then I was also asked why a Beach. This is our California story and why we decided to replace our Ocean with a Beach.
We first bought a Cali in 2012 as our daily drive and replaced it in late 2016 with our Ocean. Having run it for 65,000 miles, we decided it was time for a new van.

For us the attraction of a Beach was the cost and the 3-seat bench. Also to a large extent I wanted a less complicated van. Having been a member of this forum since 2012 the Ocean v Beach threads often springs up. I gues it is what van meets a persons needs at a moment in time. We use our van daily either by the sea or out in the New Forest a life of leisure! Well out ofwarranty the cost of repairs to things like the roof and finding a garage able to fix such things made me think long term the Beach would be abetter bet for us. A T6.1 also appealed as I do not like the look of the New VW Multivan California's – they may grow on me but not at thistime, they also seem to be even more complicated with even more to go wrong.

So at this time the a Beach T6.1 appears to be what will work for us, at this time in our camper journey.

 

[johns6809]

I was going to post why a Beach, and then I was also asked why a Beach. This is our California story and why we decided to replace our Ocean with a Beach.
We first bought a Cali in 2012 as our daily drive and replaced it in late 2016 with our Ocean. Having run it for 65,000 miles, we decided it was time for a new van.

For us the attraction of a Beach was the cost and the 3-seat bench. Also to a large extent I wanted a less complicated van. Having been a member of this forum since 2012 the Ocean v Beach threads often springs up. I gues it is what van meets a persons needs at a moment in time. We use our van daily either by the sea or out in the New Forest a life of leisure! Well out ofwarranty the cost of repairs to things like the roof and finding a garage able to fix such things made me think long term the Beach would be abetter bet for us. A T6.1 also appealed as I do not like the look of the New VW Multivan California's – they may grow on me but not at thistime, they also seem to be even more complicated with even more to go wrong.

So at this time the a Beach T6.1 appears to be what will work for us,

We got an Ocean a couple of months back. But have often thought the Beach to be a very good alternative depending on use. As you say.....Less to go wrong in the long run.

 

[Kenb17]

Hi, we had an SE (Ocean) and for medical reasons sold and then have come back with a Beach. There really are pros and Cons and the choice is what suits you and your lifestyle.

We still ahve conversations about the pros and cons!

Enjoy California life.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

I was going to post why a Beach, and then I was also asked why a Beach. This is our California story and why we decided to replace our Ocean with a Beach.
We first bought a Cali in 2012 as our daily drive and replaced it in late 2016 with our Ocean. Having run it for 65,000 miles, we decided it was time for a new van.

For us the attraction of a Beach was the cost and the 3-seat bench. Also to a large extent I wanted a less complicated van. Having been a member of this forum since 2012 the Ocean v Beach threads often springs up. I gues it is what van meets a persons needs at a moment in time. We use our van daily either by the sea or out in the New Forest a life of leisure! Well out ofwarranty the cost of repairs to things like the roof and finding a garage able to fix such things made me think long term the Beach would be abetter bet for us. A T6.1 also appealed as I do not like the look of the New VW Multivan California's – they may grow on me but not at thistime, they also seem to be even more complicated with even more to go wrong.

So at this time the a Beach T6.1 appears to be what will work for us, at this time in our camper journey.

I wonder why I spent so much money on my 4motion California when I prefer to sleep in hotels and eat in restaurants!

 

[Meoncoast]

I wonder why I spent so much money on my 4motion California when I prefer to sleep in hotels and eat in restaurants!

So do I if you feel like that. I have regrets having and using to the full our vans.

 

[kurienp]

I have friends visiting - 5 people + the 2 of us. Makes it 7. The only time I think that a beach would've been great and consider changing. In this case I have to borrow my friend's 7 seater or hire a 7 seater so that all of us can travel together.

I think getting a beach and getting a cooking area + storage + whatever else is needed is a much more flexible option ... but currently I will stay with my Ocean!

 

[LobsterVan]

I've had an Ocean since February and am starting to feel a Beach may be more suitable for 2 major reasons; wider bed and seats 5.
Downside is obviously not having the kitchen; the fridge especially is used a lot but there are perfeclty good portable units.
I'd have to think closely on what I might miss on the driving/comfort side; maybe LEDs, air con and so on but I am tempted.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I've had an Ocean since February and am starting to feel a Beach may be more suitable for 2 major reasons; wider bed and seats 5.
Downside is obviously not having the kitchen; the fridge especially is used a lot but there are perfeclty good portable units.
I'd have to think closely on what I might miss on the driving/comfort side; maybe LEDs, air con and so on but I am tempted.

Maybe I'm misunderstood what you've written but the Beach came with all the same driving comforts as an Ocean if you wanted them. I have LEDs, air con, heated seats, etc. in my Beach.

For me, the choice between a Beach or an Ocean depends on how you want to camp and if the vehicle is going to be a daily driver. Our Beach does have a pull out kitchen inside but we have never used it, I personally don't want to cook inside van and prefer to have everything I need on a pullout at the back. Sleeping wise the bigger bed suits our family better.

Our Beach is our only car (although I am toying with the idea of a cheap electric commuter) and is much better suited to doing daily duties than an Ocean.

Horses for courses and all that.

 

[kave]

I have a 5 seater Beach and I think it is quite cramped inside, I would not be pleased with even less space inside the cabin taken away by a kitchenette. I don't see me cooking food inside the van either. Main objective with the California is to get outside more, not less.
I am 90kg and 186cm, my wife is smaller, but I would not like a smaller bed than the 150cm wide Beach bed.

 

[Agnes_Cali]

Am I the only person thinking that Ocean would be better for me? Unfortunately, I wasn't planning to get California, so was not up to date with spec and configuration of different models and when I was jumping on leasing deal I had limited knowledge. And since broker missed 3 seater bench option on the existing build slot of Beach model, I ended up with configuration that was not ideal. I had an option of ordering pre-configured Ocean for a bit more, but wasn't aware of all differences between the models and what I would get included with it. I can't fix that error now and I don't think, I will be getting another Cali in the future, because there's too many other cars I want to drive in my lifetime.

I use Cali as daily, but I also sleep in it a lot and sometimes do a bit of picnicking between the jobs. It's like wardrobe, kitchen and bedroom on the wheels for me.

 

[Meoncoast]

I feel this is opening up Ocean v Beach debate again it has been done to death on the forum over the year. I was asked the question why did I decide to move form Ocean to a Beach.

 

[kurienp]

because there's too many other cars I want to drive in my lifetime.

Is a Ferrari on your list? Mine does ... and I dream on ...

 

[Mehdime]

Is a Ferrari on your list? Mine does ... and I dream on ...

Meh. I’ll pick a California (Beach or Ocean) any day over a Ferrari

 

[Agnes_Cali]

Actually, Ferrari or similar cars are not on my list. At the moment, I'm looking into some V8s. Side effect of driving Dodge RAM on last trip in Canada. However, I think, LHD car might be a hassle when I have to use two parking places with access code, hence looking at the more manageable Lexus V8. I already went through German V8s in past, so not looking that way.

California is still the best for my commute, doing around 30-35mpg.

 

[66tim99]

Lexus V8

LC500? Probably my dream car.
Or a Alpine A110 GT
Or a Cayman GTS
Or...

 

[kurienp]

Actually, Ferrari or similar cars are not on my list. At the moment, I'm looking into some V8s. Side effect of driving Dodge RAM on last trip in Canada. However, I think, LHD car might be a hassle when I have to use two parking places with access code, hence looking at the more manageable Lexus V8. I already went through German V8s in past, so not looking that way.

California is still the best for my commute, doing around 30-35mpg.

oh dear! don't remind me about it. thinking about it still makes my skin tingle ... though you may be able to visualize this - dead night, slience all around on a snowy night. White all around, wherever you look. Nothng you can hear for miles around Banff ... and then you hear a v8 or similar RAM/some other truck passing by. What a glorious sound! ... heaven. pure music.

Not sure the Lexus v8 will have that sound ... as if that is one of the things in the V8 for you, the lexus will not cut it. It may need to be a UK spec reg mustang or something similar ... with that reverb in the exhaust note.

... anyways, let's get back to why a beach ...