Advice please!

[Charlp]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first campervan to travel around France in and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. My price range is about 3500.00 and plan to spend the next year doing it up.
I have spotted an - 'Toyota Hiace Super GL Campervan 1997 4th generation - LH119 Chassis model' which I like the look of but I'm not sure if this is reliable. It is a Japanese import, 4 wheel drive, 2.8L, automatic and has done 82.340 miles.

any help big or small would be really appreciated. (Apologies for my lack of knowledge in the area )

 

[Podney]

Hello and

No idea about the Toyota,except that they are known for being reliable. If it’s got an MOT,or you could get one without spending a fortune,it sounds like a plan. Do things like the oven and water system work?

Btw,you may get a better response if you post under Motorhome Chat on here,as not everyone looks at the newbies. Or...Moho for beginners.

 

[Charlp]

Thanks for replying! ... And yes it's M.O.T expires in September and it's got working oven and running water. Thank you for your help. I will post it on there now!

 

[Geo]

Insist on new MoT
That vehicle expiring in Sept will have been granted a Covid extension wich means it's not been looked at for 17 months
Check on line for welding failures in the past
Then check visually for new underseal .
As an import they are normally rust free but if it's been here a while they rapidly deteriorate.

 

[MisterB]

hi and welcome. with that budget there isnt really a lot of leeway if things go wrong. if youre thinking of 'doing it up' over the next year, then i would strongly consider paying that much just for a van and then converting it using an old donor caravan or parts for sale on auction sites. its never going to be perfect, but you can make it pretty and practical!!

its no point in spending money on the fancy bits if the vehicle itself is going to let you down when travelling. a working oven or fridge isnt much use if youre broken down on the side of the road ....

there are all sorts of things to consider, inc do you need to register it as a camper or just leave it as a van, that happens to have sleeping accommodation in it.

stealth campers seem to polarise opinion, my view is that so long as anyone uses their vehicle in a considerate manner, i dont have a problem with how shiny it is.

there are lots of websites and youtube channels with 'carefree' campers offering an insight into their lives that might be of use for you?

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[Spriddler]

You can check any age of vehicle's MOT history (past faults, rust etc.) here:

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

 

[XxAnthxX]

If it’s the one I think it is it’s had advisory’s for both front disks since 2014 and randomly before that. A few random for ball joints and bearings and a couple of fails for lamps.

Didn’t look like anything too drastic, maybe neglected with the discs, it may make me think about how well it’s been serviced.

 

[Two on Tour]

If it’s the one I think it is it’s had advisory’s for both front disks since 2014 and randomly before that. A few random for ball joints and bearings and a couple of fails for lamps.

Didn’t look like anything too drastic, maybe neglected with the discs, it may make me think about how well it’s been serviced.

If it's the one you think it is, then there is no mention of a loo which could make life rather awkward.

 

[XxAnthxX]

If it's the one you think it is, then there is no mention of a loo which could make life rather awkward.

Very true....a thetford porta loo and a pop up toilet tent served me well in my home grown van conversions.

oh the joys of a sliding door and cold Midnight air....

 

[gus-lopez]

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[Baldeagle7470]

Hi and another big Enjoy.
Looks like you have some good advice already.
I had a Japanese import Mazda Bongo,good strong van,plenty of automatics.
Just May find a do up one in your price range.
Just maybe another option for you.