awg
LIFE MEMBER
Hi,
First post so please be kind.
Went to the NEC last Friday to look at some Motorhomes. I’ve been researching for a few months now and have already bought James Brown’s Buyers Guide. I had a list of “must have” and “nice to have” requirements which put the Chausson 717 GA at the top of my list with a Hymer MT580 stretching the budget in second place although we were quite open to see what else was available as we wandered round.
We’ve considered hiring a Motorhome for a week this year with a purchase next so I was by no means committed to buying one this weekend. A wander round the halls looking at a few was quite good fun and eventually we found the Chausson stand. Both my wife and I were underwhelmed by the 717. It had the layout we wanted and all or “must haves” but somehow it just didn’t real right for us. Somewhat disappointed we wandered to the Hymer stand which wasn’t very far away. The MT580 seemed to suite us much better but we still weren’t blown away by it. I had sort of made up my mind up that a lowline coach built was the option for us but then we went past the Carethago stand and had a wander into their 143 i-compact A class. What a Motorhome, layout we wanted, fantastic quality but an eye watering price. We spent ages inside and chatted to a salesman for a while before wandering off to have a drink and chat. Getting the drink was easy but finding somewhere to sit was a challenge even on a Friday. Anyway loads of head scratching and number juggling resulted in us back at the stand for a proper chat with the same salesman, this time over a cup of coffee. End result is we collect a 143 i-compact in May. We have no trade-in and the negotiations were not that painful. We specked the options we wanted (minus the awning) and had a friendly haggle over price. Once I felt there was no more movement on the price I introduced the £1100 awning and we chatted some more. End result was a 12% discount on the base price plus options at the full list price which I felt was reasonable.
We had booked into a hotel in Birmingham, so it was straight there and into the bar for a calming drink before dinner. Saturday was a wander round Birmingham and another meal in the evening. On Sunday we thought we’d go back to the NEC and have a look at the accessories which we’d totally ignored while we were studying the available Motorhomes.
I’d kept hearing that joining Motorhome fun was cheap but that’s not really the case now is it? It might only be £10 to join but what about the £240 we spent on Duvaleys’ which seem to be most peoples favorite or the new Corelle crockery. By the time we’d bought all the stuff I’d seen recommended on here I could only just carry it back to the car. £10 yea right, you lot cost me a fortune
We’ve done loads of European trips by motorbike over the years so as soon as the new toy arrives in May we’ll be off to investigate the French Aires. I can’t wait…
Allan
First post so please be kind.
Went to the NEC last Friday to look at some Motorhomes. I’ve been researching for a few months now and have already bought James Brown’s Buyers Guide. I had a list of “must have” and “nice to have” requirements which put the Chausson 717 GA at the top of my list with a Hymer MT580 stretching the budget in second place although we were quite open to see what else was available as we wandered round.
We’ve considered hiring a Motorhome for a week this year with a purchase next so I was by no means committed to buying one this weekend. A wander round the halls looking at a few was quite good fun and eventually we found the Chausson stand. Both my wife and I were underwhelmed by the 717. It had the layout we wanted and all or “must haves” but somehow it just didn’t real right for us. Somewhat disappointed we wandered to the Hymer stand which wasn’t very far away. The MT580 seemed to suite us much better but we still weren’t blown away by it. I had sort of made up my mind up that a lowline coach built was the option for us but then we went past the Carethago stand and had a wander into their 143 i-compact A class. What a Motorhome, layout we wanted, fantastic quality but an eye watering price. We spent ages inside and chatted to a salesman for a while before wandering off to have a drink and chat. Getting the drink was easy but finding somewhere to sit was a challenge even on a Friday. Anyway loads of head scratching and number juggling resulted in us back at the stand for a proper chat with the same salesman, this time over a cup of coffee. End result is we collect a 143 i-compact in May. We have no trade-in and the negotiations were not that painful. We specked the options we wanted (minus the awning) and had a friendly haggle over price. Once I felt there was no more movement on the price I introduced the £1100 awning and we chatted some more. End result was a 12% discount on the base price plus options at the full list price which I felt was reasonable.
We had booked into a hotel in Birmingham, so it was straight there and into the bar for a calming drink before dinner. Saturday was a wander round Birmingham and another meal in the evening. On Sunday we thought we’d go back to the NEC and have a look at the accessories which we’d totally ignored while we were studying the available Motorhomes.
I’d kept hearing that joining Motorhome fun was cheap but that’s not really the case now is it? It might only be £10 to join but what about the £240 we spent on Duvaleys’ which seem to be most peoples favorite or the new Corelle crockery. By the time we’d bought all the stuff I’d seen recommended on here I could only just carry it back to the car. £10 yea right, you lot cost me a fortune
We’ve done loads of European trips by motorbike over the years so as soon as the new toy arrives in May we’ll be off to investigate the French Aires. I can’t wait…
Allan
