I've been looking for a small Hymer to replace my a-class, for weekend use.
I came across this on eBay so thought I would investigate
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=282156295151&alt=web
Item number: 282156295151
I spoke to the owner last night on the phone for about half an hour... His only concern was the 1.9 ltr engine might be under powered..... Other than that it was in great condition and suggested the best thing was to try it out.
But as it's up in Teesside and I'm in Devon I had to think about whether it was worth the 13 hour round trip.
I slept on it and decided it was, so set off this morning.
The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the cab had been freshly resprayed.... Clearly with the intention of selling....
Next up was the interior. I would describe it as tired but OK with the exception of the drivers seat which was worn through to the foam on one side.
So far, while I was a bit disappointed, it was still worth considering.
Then came the appliances. The owner couldn't get any to work on either gas or electric. Not the boiler (which had some signs of life), not the fridge which only worked on battery and not the water. The newly fitted freshwater pump only came on when he hit it with a screwdriver, and repeated the exercise to turn it off.
The explanation was that they never used the boiler and the fridge had worked last time they had used it but that was 3 years ago and he couldn't remember if it was on gas or electric.
And the gas hob nobs were allowing the gas to flow even without a flame.
I decided to give up. So instead suggested we take it for a test drive....At this point the owner admitted that it wasn't taxed or insured so wasn't road legal.
But we fired her up in the drive anyway . The engine sounded rough and the battery light stayed on suggesting alternator problems. But at least it started, which was a first for the afternoon.
He wasn't able to explain why he had suggested a test drive the previous evening but his general defence was that his wife had done the ebay listing and he didn't know what she had said.
I'm well used to wasting my time on viewing, it's all part of the buying process but this, TOTAL FAIL , is in a league of its own. I can't help wondering what the seller expected me to do after driving 6 hours....poke my head in the door and shout Yep, I'll buy it?
It will be interesting to see what happens. Will the auction winner buy or will it get relisted with the usual grumble about time wasters?
In a funny kind of way l have to admire his "pluck" It's probably only fit for breaking but he's decided to give it a lick of paint and describe it as being in good condition (actually perfect condition for its age when we spoke on the phone)
Still I'm not put off. I bought my previous A Class on EBay and she was a gem so in reality I'm one viewing closer to finding the perfect camper!
Anyone got one wot works? ;-)
I came across this on eBay so thought I would investigate
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=282156295151&alt=web
Item number: 282156295151
I spoke to the owner last night on the phone for about half an hour... His only concern was the 1.9 ltr engine might be under powered..... Other than that it was in great condition and suggested the best thing was to try it out.
But as it's up in Teesside and I'm in Devon I had to think about whether it was worth the 13 hour round trip.
I slept on it and decided it was, so set off this morning.
The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the cab had been freshly resprayed.... Clearly with the intention of selling....
Next up was the interior. I would describe it as tired but OK with the exception of the drivers seat which was worn through to the foam on one side.
So far, while I was a bit disappointed, it was still worth considering.
Then came the appliances. The owner couldn't get any to work on either gas or electric. Not the boiler (which had some signs of life), not the fridge which only worked on battery and not the water. The newly fitted freshwater pump only came on when he hit it with a screwdriver, and repeated the exercise to turn it off.
The explanation was that they never used the boiler and the fridge had worked last time they had used it but that was 3 years ago and he couldn't remember if it was on gas or electric.
And the gas hob nobs were allowing the gas to flow even without a flame.
I decided to give up. So instead suggested we take it for a test drive....At this point the owner admitted that it wasn't taxed or insured so wasn't road legal.
But we fired her up in the drive anyway . The engine sounded rough and the battery light stayed on suggesting alternator problems. But at least it started, which was a first for the afternoon.
He wasn't able to explain why he had suggested a test drive the previous evening but his general defence was that his wife had done the ebay listing and he didn't know what she had said.
I'm well used to wasting my time on viewing, it's all part of the buying process but this, TOTAL FAIL , is in a league of its own. I can't help wondering what the seller expected me to do after driving 6 hours....poke my head in the door and shout Yep, I'll buy it?
It will be interesting to see what happens. Will the auction winner buy or will it get relisted with the usual grumble about time wasters?
In a funny kind of way l have to admire his "pluck" It's probably only fit for breaking but he's decided to give it a lick of paint and describe it as being in good condition (actually perfect condition for its age when we spoke on the phone)
Still I'm not put off. I bought my previous A Class on EBay and she was a gem so in reality I'm one viewing closer to finding the perfect camper!
Anyone got one wot works? ;-)