Vantage Neo (1 Viewer)

[PaulB]

Really liked the look of the Vantage Neo at the NEC last Friday. I met a couple who had one and they were very impressed. Any feedback from owners appreciated.
Paul

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Do you mean this one

We looked at vantage and ih. There were things we liked and things we didn't with both of them. Ralph decided to pinch the things we did from both and build our own. Making sure he used top quality fixtures fittings and plenty insulation etc. We got the base vehicle loaded up with lots of extras too. It's taken him 10 months in his spare time to build. There's just the cab carpeting to do now . He's not a joiner. He's a brickie . So if your a bit handy , and have time on your hands .......
Doing it yourself you know where everything is and know it's built to last too.
In fact he bought one of those pop up electric plug sockets to put in our "Pug" and never used it . It's in a box in the back room. Which I've very nearly got back in use !
Here's a link if your interested. http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/rb-panel-van-conversion-begins.100614/
The extra length does make a difference btw !

 

[Judge Mental]

Hmm..bricks instead of wood...a visit to weighbridge maybe in order

Would like to see photos when done...bet you saved bundle's

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[PaulB]

Do you mean this one

We looked at vantage and ih. There were things we liked and things we didn't with both of them. Ralph decided to pinch the things we did from both and build our own. Making sure he used top quality fixtures fittings and plenty insulation etc. We got the base vehicle loaded up with lots of extras too. It's taken him 10 months in his spare time to build. There's just the cab carpeting to do now . He's not a joiner. He's a brickie . So if your a bit handy , and have time on your hands .......
Doing it yourself you know where everything is and know it's built to last too.
In fact he bought one of those pop up electric plug sockets to put in our "Pug" and never used it . It's in a box in the back room. Which I've very nearly got back in use !
Here's a link if your interested. http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/rb-panel-van-conversion-begins.100614/
The extra length does make a difference btw !

Very impressive but I had better stick to one built by someone other than me!

 

[phase3begins]

Can't fault ours. Had it 4 years and despite a visit to NEC last week haven't seen anything we would prefer.

 

[Queenzlander]

Bought ours in June 2014 after reading 'Which Motorhome' road test on 15 panel van conversions. The Sol was the best of the English builds. The Neo is the same but on the slightly longer 6.3m chassis. Giving extra cupboard and bench space, and more room for the reversible seats to match the table when in place. We needed a right hand drive vehicle with the sliding door on the left as we were exporting the van back to our home in Australia. The Neo is the ideal size for us [couple] with U shape lounge that can quickly convert to a kingsize or single beds. It also small enough to fit in shipping container for export to Canada then on to Australia. After 7 months on the road and 15000 miles [25000 km] we have had nothing but joy with our purchase. Scott Naylor and the team at Vantage could not have been more helpful doing things that were extra in meeting requirements that are needed for Australia, often at no cost to us. The quality of workmanship is admired both here in Australia and in United States/Canada when we were touring. We have no hesitation in recommending the Vantage Neo.

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[Cal54]

I was impressed by the Vantage range when they first came on the market and particularly liked the idea of the pop up electric sockets. I think there are insufficient 3 pin sockets in most can kitchen areas.

 

[Jenben]

We have a Vantage Max, one of the first vans made by Vantage. We have had it since 2008 and it still looks great.

The build quality is really good and we still love it. We are currently thinking of changing it for a different layout due to our hobbies. However it is a hard decision and we keep thinking maybe we should just keep ours....

 

[DBK]

It all comes down to layout, as always. If you want the huge rear lounge then the side door generally gets obstructed by a bit of the kitchen. I'm not knocking that sort of layout as clearly it is popular with a lot of folk but our Murvi has an unobstructed side door and we can sit opposite it and watch the world go by with the door open - even in this country. Other layouts feel claustrophobic compared to it.

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[Judge Mental]

It all comes down to layout, as always. If you want the huge rear lounge then the side door generally gets obstructed by a bit of the kitchen. I'm not knocking that sort of layout as clearly it is popular with a lot of folk but our Murvi has an unobstructed side door and we can sit opposite it and watch the world go by with the door open - even in this country. Other layouts feel claustrophobic compared to it.

Bit of a waste of space though... You can still see out over a kitchen unit that only part blocks it anyway

 

[DBK]

Bit of a waste of space though... You can still see out over a kitchen unit that only part blocks it anyway

Not when "Cook" is at work. Much better when she is "downstairs" so to speak at the far end.

Thankfully she doesn't read this forum.

 

[Jenben]

You can sit and look out of the side door whilst sitting in the driver and passenger seats. You can also eat down that end as well as there is another point in the floor to put the table.

I quite like where the hob is in our Vantage as I frequently have a lovely view whilst I am cooking.

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[DBK]

I quite like where the hob is in our Vantage as I frequently have a lovely view whilst I am cooking.

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of it from the perspective of the staff. . Have to be careful though, she'll be wanting days off next.

 

[PaulB]

Bought ours in June 2014 after reading 'Which Motorhome' road test on 15 panel van conversions. The Sol was the best of the English builds. The Neo is the same but on the slightly longer 6.3m chassis. Giving extra cupboard and bench space, and more room for the reversible seats to match the table when in place. We needed a right hand drive vehicle with the sliding door on the left as we were exporting the van back to our home in Australia. The Neo is the ideal size for us [couple] with U shape lounge that can quickly convert to a kingsize or single beds. It also small enough to fit in shipping container for export to Canada then on to Australia. After 7 months on the road and 15000 miles [25000 km] we have had nothing but joy with our purchase. Scott Naylor and the team at Vantage could not have been more helpful doing things that were extra in meeting requirements that are needed for Australia, often at no cost to us. The quality of workmanship is admired both here in Australia and in United States/Canada when we were touring. We have no hesitation in recommending the Vantage Neo.

Thanks for the in-depth recommendation @Queenzlander

 

[PaulB]

You can sit and look out of the side door whilst sitting in the driver and passenger seats. You can also eat down that end as well as there is another point in the floor to put the table.

I quite like where the hob is in our Vantage as I frequently have a lovely view whilst I am cooking.

That's one thing I particularly liked the option to use front seats to enjoy the view out of the side.

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[carolyn]

We nearly bought the vantage neo but the ih 630rl just seemed slightly better for us with short legs. We love the front swivel seats but in the vantage our legs were dangling. We were also too nervous about trying to sell our old van privately, or lazy perhaps! We would definitely consider the neo in a few years because they have sorted the dangly feet problem I think. I don't think I've ever seen a bad review of Vantage. Mind you the same could be said of IH until this year but hopefully all their changes will now mean they are back to their normal high standards.
Rear lounge is lovely on chilly days for relaxing and Nick doesn't get in my way when I am doing essential cooking duties.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

That's one thing I particularly liked the option to use front seats to enjoy the view out of the side.

Yes the front seats are great for that , as we found on our recent Hebredian trip. Though we decided against fitting a table fitting there. The reason being was, we knew we'd only use that seating for a cuppa or maybe a sarni . The latest trip confirmed this.
So instead we , or should I say Ralph , fitted a flip up table to the end of the work surface. More room when cooking and somewhere to put a cuppa or plate of biscuits !
Then , because we didn't have a table fixing in the floor, he made a very handy storage space in the raised void. We use it for our dogs food bowls , lead , poo bags, treats , and dog towel.

 

[Queenzlander]

One of the reason's we chose the Neo's layout is the views with both the sliding door and the rear doors open, especially here in Australia where you can also let the air circulate thru. Photo's below from the driver's seat out the sliding door, we have put a protective covering on top of the stove splash back, which is clear glass.

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[Queenzlander]

The smaller front table is ideal when one of us wants to lie in bed in the morning, and the other can get up make breakfast or read a book without waking their partner. The kitchen bench comes with a flip-up tables at both ends for more bench space if needed.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Stunning views.

 

[Judge Mental]

Stunning views.

not kidding!

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[aldhp21]

We looked at the Vantage, not the Neo, the one with the front lounge and really liked it. We ended up buying the IH630FL. I thought the finish on the IH was better and I got a much better trade in on my previous van against the IH.

Cheers
Alan

 

[Wicketter]

We also went for the IH 630RL and we do love it. A few quality issues, most have been sorted out now. We also went for a P/ex which worked out OK for us. Being able to also deal with the factory direct will be a bonus in the long run and the fact they are also going to have a showroom as well as working with a dealer will certainly be a plus!

 

[Wicketter]

We also went for the IH 630RL and we do love it. A few quality issues, most have been sorted out now. We also went for a P/ex which worked out OK for us. Being able to also deal with the factory direct will be a bonus in the long run and the fact they are also going to have a showroom as well as working with a dealer will certainly be a plus!

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[PaulB]

One of the reason's we chose the Neo's layout is the views with both the sliding door and the rear doors open, especially here in Australia where you can also let the air circulate thru. Photo's below from the driver's seat out the sliding door, we have put a protective covering on top of the stove splash back, which is clear glass.
View attachment 79888 View attachment 79889 View attachment 79890 View attachment 79891 View attachment 79892 View attachment 79893

Great photos,thanks for sharing @Queenzlander

 

[Minxy]

We have a Globecar FamilyScout L which, unusual for a panel van, has an 'L' shaped front lounge and a fixed transverse rear bed. It's lovely being able to sit on the side 'sofa' and looking out at the view. It's also lovely to be able to slob on the bed and have the rear doors wide open too.

http://www.chelstononline.co.uk/used-motorhome-globecar-familyscout-motorhome-10037

 

[Charlie]

Bit of a waste of space though... You can still see out over a kitchen unit that only part blocks it anyway

Not when yer sat on the sofa...

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