New “car” thread - Phase 1

[Rich B]

I don’t know much about van specs so would it have come new from VW with side windows and 5 seats but no bulkhead?

Looks very good and will doubtless spur SJ on to buy a Vito/V-class at long last.

It started life as a panel van with no bulkhead at all (this isn’t the metal bulkhead you get on normal vans, it is a bolt in/removable one specific to kombis)- it’s then been converted to a kombi. It’s not much more than a thick parcel shelf - nothing to over think!

I’m quite enjoying the whole modified thing, i’ve never really modified a car before and this is a fun thing to plan out. i have it insured with all the mods declared (and the suspension i plan to do) for a frankly silly number, so i’m going to make it exactly how i want it.

[integrale_evo]

One of my internet friends had a very nice one



Be careful though, there are some terrible ones out there, they’re a bit of a midlife crisis, wants a Harley but isn’t hairy enough, throw every accessory at it and see what sticks kind of vehicle

[Barry]

Excellent choice Rich. Been toying with a similar purchase for years, I'd be going steelies and a bike trailer

[Rich B]

One of my internet friends had a very nice one



Be careful though, there are some terrible ones out there, they’re a bit of a midlife crisis, wants a Harley but isn’t hairy enough, throw every accessory at it and see what sticks kind of vehicle

i like those wheels - something like that is far more my style. i wouldn’t be going that low though!

The rest of the van is already to my liking - i’ve no interest in sticking anything more to it thankfully!

[Marv]

That's my Duster prediction out of the window

Looks good Rich, quite impressive that it can fit your bike behind the bulkhead, I wouldn't have thought they'd be enough space in a transporter

[Gavster]

Very cool!

[Rich B]

That's my Duster prediction out of the window

Looks good Rich, quite impressive that it can fit your bike behind the bulkhead, I wouldn't have thought they'd be enough space in a transporter

yeah, i was a little surprised - it’s a big bike and it fitted with 0mm to spare!

[simon_g]

Nice. Prices are mad for what they are but you’d never lose much on it.

I’ve got cheap axle mounts on a bit of wood for when I’m taking a few at once, they work fine. Mounting a rail for mounts seems nice but it’d just get in the way for other things.

[JonMad]

I've just noticed - does it only have a rear door on one side, to get to those rear seats?

[Sundayjumper]

Looks very good and will doubtless spur SJ on to buy a Vito/V-class at long last.

Sorry, the Disco is covering all van-like duties for me at the moment.

[Rich B]

I've just noticed - does it only have a rear door on one side, to get to those rear seats?

yeah, most of them are single sliders. That’s the way they come as standard.



It’s not much of an issue though, with the two captains chairs you can just walk between the front seats and get out the drivers door if you want to!

i did it today at work, there was more room on the passenger side, so i just walked over to that side and got out!

[GG.]

From 40k

[IanF]

RichB a few mods later..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-d ... 9244172934

[Sundayjumper]

From 40k

Look up the price of a California camper…. over £80k for the decent spec level and I would not be surprised if you could top £100k with some options.

[GG.]

Yes, I've officially become old as the prices of things don't make any sense any more.

If you're paying the price of a brand new range rover (taking your 100k example) for a VW van with some extras, I think you need some counseling.

[Jobbo]

It’ll depreciate a lot less than a Range Rover, and presumably be more reliable and insurable.

Of course, Rich could have stuck his muddy mountain bikes on the extended leather of a RR…

[GG.]

Yes but its a van with some seats in it.

I wasn't talking about Rich's version - that makes sense as a utilitarian vehicle. It was more aimed at the faux west coast surfer vans.

[jamcg]

There won’t be any interior trim where the bulkhead sits if you remove it, it’ll need something to cover the sides and the headliner. Wouldn’t surprise me if you can get bolt in panels for these though

[Jobbo]

Yes but its a van with some seats in it.

I wasn't talking about Rich's version - that makes sense as a utilitarian vehicle. It was more aimed at the faux west coast surfer vans.

Those are the ones which are depreciation-proof. Anyone spending £80k on a California is going to be much more comfortable doing so when they can get their money back in a few years’ time.

[GG.]

Yes but its a van with some seats in it.

I wasn't talking about Rich's version - that makes sense as a utilitarian vehicle. It was more aimed at the faux west coast surfer vans.

Those are the ones which are depreciation-proof. Anyone spending £80k on a California is going to be much more comfortable doing so when they can get their money back in a few years’ time.

Stick it in a Ferrari California - same applies. My (snarky) comment is really more at getting your kicks spending 80k on a van.

Clearly there are lots of people this appeals to from the campsite we went to in the New Forest last year but let's say we are not kindred spirits.

If I was that way inclined I'd do what Jamie Oliver did and get a splittie with a boxster engine dropped in