Good starter vans. (1 Viewer)

[Snowbird]

As some of you know I am a lover of quality older motorhomes and spend a considerable amount of my time searching the net both here in the UK and Europe and America looking for these rarities.
So, if it will be of any help to potential first time buyers who are like me on a limited budget I will put on this thread from time to time what I consider a good buy for what is a good van at the right money.
Some of the vans you will see on this post you will never have heard of, but don't be put off by that as one of my main priorities when purchasing a MH for myself is parts availability. Body panels on motorhomes are obsolete when the vehicle is only a few years old, so this will not be taken into consideration, but mechanical parts are of course the main thing to worry about when thinking of an older MH. So any vehicle that appears on this thread will have to have good parts availability.
This is one of my favourites and one to start you off. Its an Orion, built on the Mercedes chassis and of monocoque construction. Link Removed

 

[Snowbird]

No this one won't work ... for some reason

Quite a few others work though

Frankie

Thats a pity Frankie. Am sorry I don't know how to help as I think this one could have your name on it.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

I like this

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[yodeli]

Thats a pity Frankie. Am sorry I don't know how to help as I think this one could have your name on it.

Hey just got it !! I changed the .co.uk for .fr directly in the box where you have the address then entered again ... and YEAH !!!

 

[yodeli]

And ..... You're right Dave... it's mine !!! LOL Even the sofas are Pink!!!!! I can't believe it! A really smashing little van !!
I like all in it ! Full bathroom , an over cab bed Lovely little dinette! And LHD !!!!

 

[JJ]

Quite a lot of red too though...:Sad:

JJ:Cool:

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[Snowbird]

Quite a lot of red too though...:Sad:

JJ:Cool:

Come come JJ, you cant expect the girl to have a blue one, its hardly a feminine colour

 

[Terry]

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terry

 

[mikey2341]

There seams some great examples here, thank you to those taking the time to post them up, it helps newbies like me look at lots of options all in the same place. Is the reason the older A class models are recommended here more than the C class models because they are built better?

Thanks

Mikey

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[mikey2341]

Now they were a very good van, its almost exactly the same layout as my old 660 FFB. That layout is very good indeed with loads of living space and 2 couches for lounging. The furniture is all solid wood and they are winterised properly with everything inside. If that would go at 10K its a bargain, although am a little concerned regarding the fridge as I know they are expensive to replace, from experience. The only fault I have with the FFB is as its so well built, they are HEAVY. But if its anything like the one I had the gearing is long legged and will cruise all day at 70 MPH at low RPM.

How would this cope with going around the alps and pyrenees? Looking for a van to follwo the tour de france in!

 

[Terry]

There seams some great examples here, thank you to those taking the time to post them up, it helps newbies like me look at lots of options all in the same place. Is the reason the older A class models are recommended here more than the C class models because they are built better?

Thanks

Mikey

Hi Mikey not really, just hold there prices better.People also like them for there compact size.The old all fiberglass type bodies are also soughtafter simply because they don't have seams to leak which tends to affect the older coachbuilts (plus some new ones )Quality vans always bring good money and at under 10k they tend not to shed lots of money -hence they reach a bottoming out figure :thumb: and become sought after
terry

 

[Snowbird]

How would this cope with going around the alps and pyrenees? Looking for a van to follwo the tour de france in!

Those FFBs were insulated to proper standards, I never used to drain mine down even in winter. All water tanks are inboard as well as all pipework. They were built for the winter skiers, that's why they have a ski locker as opposed to a garage. They have a one piece wrap around fibreglass roof so no problems with damp and are very well built indeed. I cant see any problem with following any sports with one of those, summer or winter.

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[Terry]

How would this cope with going around the alps and pyrenees? Looking for a van to follwo the tour de france in!

Do you mean this one Link Removed
very good vans would take you anywhere -well insulated etc---this is the third time listed so make a senseble offer

 

[Snowbird]

I agree with Terry that quality built A class vans though expensive when new do tend to bottom out at around the £8k to £10k mark and that's where they stop as they tend to have less damp problems than coachbuilt and as they were an expensive item when new are generally looked after better than there coachbuilt counterparts. This is obviously a generalisation. Also the A class gives more habitation room in a shorter vehicle as you do not have the original cab/bonnet to contend with. There is also the added advantage of rear wheel drive on the older Mercedes A classes, which if you are camping all year round gives better traction.

 

[yodeli]

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terry

WAAAHOOOO! Reminds me some motorhome I've been in lately

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[jhorsf]

WAAAHOOOO! Reminds me some motorhome I've been in lately

Never mind I am sure with time you will get over it

 

[Terry]

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Terry

 

[Snowbird]

Frankia have always been a well built van and that will always be worth 6k if looked after.

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[Terry]

Frankie the hymer has been relisted again
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Terry

 

[Terry]

Needs a TLC but at the price
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terry

 

[yodeli]

Frankie the hymer has been relisted again
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Terry

I don't get what are the needs... I didn't get it all so apart from bathroom which needs finishing ... what else isn't fixed?

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[duane0001]

What about this for 400 quid
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On second thoughts I think it more of a non starter then a starter van

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

pity it's petrol still nice ​

LPG is a plus ​

again not rearly a starter van

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[duane0001]

This one actually looks okay, Diesel too!
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[Terry]

I don't get what are the needs... I didn't get it all so apart from bathroom which needs finishing ... what else isn't fixed?

Hi Frankie, I think it just needs a general tidy up and boiler, heating etc, checking :thumb:
Terry

 

[Terry]

This is another relisted van at a good price
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Terry

 

[Terry]

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Just for JR may not last as long as some (being on a tranny) but would certainly be good for a first van
terry

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[jollyrodger]

Oi nowt wrong with wiv tranny's
Backbone of Britain thousands of, 'stannies cannot be wrong!

 

[Terry]

Oi nowt wrong with wiv tranny's
Backbone of Britain thousands of, 'stannies cannot be wrong!

They are prone to rotting underneath hence good for another few yrs, and yours is a good well looked after example at a good price :thumb: which the back /living bit never rots
Terry

 

[cruiser]

cruiser

its great. its even older than mine. yes i would buy it. but you are right more photos please.

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[jollyrodger]

Will be doing video walk-around poss tomorrow and put it up on YouTube n post the link on here
FORGOT TO ADD THERE ARE SPARES INCLUDED SPARE WHEEL + SPARE TYRE NEW AIR FILTERS NEW FAN BELT INTERIOR SILVER SCREEN SPLUS MORE ONCE I CAN GET IN MY SHED ! lots of engine parts even a spare engine if anyone got a trailer