Buying privately (1 Viewer)

[hogger]

Hello all, it's me, the pest again needing your wise words of wisdom.
I have a bit of a dilemma going on with our first purchase of a motorhome.
We have looked at a Hymer Exis T 588 at a dealer. £ 49,995. It is a 14 plate with 19k miles. The dealer has offered to discount an awning by 50% as the MH does not have this. They have also offered to discount a set of tyres as I asked for a new set. I don't know what age the tyres on it are but assume they could be original and therefore 6yrs old.
I am also going to ask that the warranty is extended to 1yr from 6mths. I may also ask for discount on a safefill gas bottle and I am going to push for as many other extras I can think of.
I am happy with the dealer response so far.

The problem. I have just spotted this on autotrader and by all accounts looks like a better van. It is one yr younger with less mileage. It has recently had it's 5yr cam belt exchange along with guide and tensioner £666. It also has, according to the owner, had a recent habitation check £330.
The seller has been very good at communication.

Broken Link Removed

I am still worried about being scammed. I am supposed to be going to see this MH tomorrow. I could fob off the dealer until Friday but is it worth the risk for a saving of 3k?



The private sale one looks like it's in better condition, with an awning and very good mechanically and cosmetically.

phew...sorry about the length of post
TIA

 

[hogger]

You'll feel the Hymer envy when you drive on a site

Lol not that I want to be a show off

 

[hogger]

Thanks everyone. I'm up at 5am and watching the clock for 9am to call and get it insured and breakdown cover. It's like being a kid at Christmas.
The guy I'm buying from has been great. The van has been very well looked after. The carpets haven't been used so are brand new. They used mattress protectors so they are the same.
There is no spare wheel as it has a puncture kit in the van which has never been used and still has original wrapping. he didn't even realise there was a compressor in it as he's never looked at it.
He's leaving the gas bottles, telly and ramps in the van.
I had to pay the full cash but I think I got the right van at a saving of 3k over a dealer selling an older model with more mileage so can't complain.
The van has had a recall by fiat for a transmission cable to be fitted this Thursday. It kind of buggers up our weeks holiday but I think I'm better getting it done on the day rather than re-book.

Big thumbs up to you all and look forward to bumping into some of you on our travels

Steven & Teresa

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[hogger]

Just incase you missed my earlier post.
According to autotrader the private sale one is in my home town of Dunfermline...
If you let me know where about in Dunfermline and the sellers name i could probably tell you if he's a known trader or not.

No He's not a trader. Picking the van up in Dalgety Bay later today. I better not give the guy's details out as he may well be a member on here and could be offended if his details are discussed. I would be. Am I right about that though?

 

[hogger]

Congratulations! Lovely van enjoy every moment!
looking at reviews on here is the Loch Lomond road a good idea for an initial run??
avoided it when we went a couple of years ago and a friend just returned and said would avoid in future.

We live just ten mls or so from loch lomond. Why what's wrong with it? I'm curious. I know that there has been a clampdown on campers and folk having BBQ's because of over use and leaving there mess but we'll only be parking in one of the large car parks adjacent to Loch Lomond shores. which is at the bottom end of the loch. I often go up that way on the bike. It's a favourite run for bikers heading to Inveraray and Oban etc

 

[hogger]

Remember to update your profile Steven. Not “Looking” any longer. So excited for you.

Just been on my profile and couldn't do it for some reason. I'll have a look later and update with a photo too

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[Lenny HB]

What chassis is it on Steve?

 

[Gellyneck]

We live just ten mls or so from loch lomond. Why what's wrong with it? I'm curious. I know that there has been a clampdown on campers and folk having BBQ's because of over use and leaving there mess but we'll only be parking in one of the large car parks adjacent to Loch Lomond shores. which is at the bottom end of the loch. I often go up that way on the bike. It's a favourite run for bikers heading to Inveraray and Oban etc

I think what Rapphil may be alluding to, and you'll know this being local, is that the road at the top end of the loch (past Tarbet) is still narrow and twisty in places and would this be sensible when still getting used to the new vehicle. However if you're sticking to Balloch \ Alex \ Luss end you'll be fine.
Enjoy yourselves.

ps weather is not brilliant but getting a tad better at tea time tonight.

 

[hogger]

I think what Rapphil may be alluding to, and you'll know this being local, is that the road at the top end of the loch (past Tarbet) is still narrow and twisty in places and would this be sensible when still getting used to the new vehicle. However if you're sticking to Balloch \ Alex \ Luss end you'll be fine.
Enjoy yourselves.

ps weather is not brilliant but getting a tad better at tea time tonight.

View attachment 435601

Oh yes forgot about that bit, everyone hates it including bikers. Yes we'll be sticking to the other end. I once saw a chauffer driver Rolls Royce lying at the side of the road bashed up. He had caught on one of the boulders. The driver looked a bit cheesed off

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[bellabee]

Congratulations on your purchase. It sounds as though you've made a good buy.
We had a 2015 Hymer Tramp SL. It was a very nice van. We only traded it in because it was a French bed layout and we found the bed to be a bit cramped, plus we wanted to buy some e-bikes, which we didn't want to carry on the back.
We have a Hymer with twin singles over a large garage now, and it suits us down to the ground. The beds are extremely comfortable and our bikes fit easily into the garage.
Enjoy!

 

[Rapphil]

Just been on my profile and couldn't do it for some reason. I'll have a look later and update with a photo too

We live just ten mls or so from loch lomond. Why what's wrong with it? I'm curious. I know that there has been a clampdown on campers and folk having BBQ's because of over use and leaving there mess but we'll only be parking in one of the large car parks adjacent to Loch Lomond shores. which is at the bottom end of the loch. I often go up that way on the bike. It's a favourite run for bikers heading to Inveraray and Oban etc

Thanks Gellyneck for the detail, I know I had read previous posts about the road but I avoided it so didn’t know details. Sorry I posted afterwards because it sounds as though I was a real killjoy to your exciting purchase but as it says on your avatar Steve , newbie , I didn’t want you having initial hairy experience.enjoy your van and holiday.
just re read someone’s post as ‘narrow and twisty, evil bit of road’ along Lomond but still wonder if a warning was appropriate from me, apologies.

 

[Gellyneck]

steven jackson
Not that you'll be anywhere near interested but saw the Autosleeper out at Strathclyde this morning you were half thinking about. Just drove past it. It looked tidy enough but didn't look closely. Still had the for sale sign on the dashboard.

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[hogger]

Thanks Gellyneck for the detail, I know I had read previous posts about the road but I avoided it so didn’t know details. Sorry I posted afterwards because it sounds as though I was a real killjoy to your exciting purchase but as it says on your avatar Steve , newbie , I didn’t want you having initial hairy experience.enjoy your van and holiday.
just re read someone’s post as ‘narrow and twisty, evil bit of road’ along Lomond but still wonder if a warning was appropriate from me, apologies.

No problem at all and thanks for the heads up. I picked the van up yesterday. I had no problem driving it home or filling up at asda but I think I would avoid that bit of road in future. Saying that, if you want to head up to Fort William or Glencoe It's the quicker way rather than Inveraray-Oban way so I'll need to tackle it at some point

 

[hogger]

steven jackson
Not that you'll be anywhere near interested but saw the Autosleeper out at Strathclyde this morning you were half thinking about. Just drove past it. It looked tidy enough but didn't look closely. Still had the for sale sign on the dashboard.

Picked up the Hymer yesterday so hopefully won't be looking again for a few years. Thanks for thinking of us though
Very happy with the van. hardly a squeek out of bebe on the way home. Teresa's got it named already!

 

[hogger]

What chassis is it on Steve?

It's on a alko chassis, fiat I believe. no rolling going around roundabouts.....feels very stable

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[hogger]

Congratulations on your purchase. It sounds as though you've made a good buy.
We had a 2015 Hymer Tramp SL. It was a very nice van. We only traded it in because it was a French bed layout and we found the bed to be a bit cramped, plus we wanted to buy some e-bikes, which we didn't want to carry on the back.
We have a Hymer with twin singles over a large garage now, and it suits us down to the ground. The beds are extremely comfortable and our bikes fit easily into the garage.
Enjoy!

Thank you. Yes same here. two singles with the infill-double and large garage. Going to buy bedding today and lots of other bits. Supposed to be sunny over the east coast way today so may go for a wee run and leave the shopping until tomorrow.

 

[Lenny HB]

It's on a alko chassis, fiat I believe. no rolling going around roundabouts.....feels very stable

I meant 3500kg or 4250kg.

 

[hogger]

I meant 3500kg or 4250kg.

Errm Don't know yet Lenny

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[Lenny HB]

Errm Don't know yet Lenny

Plate on RHS side near rear wheel arch.

 

[Northernraider]

I meant 3500kg or 4250kg.

Errm Don't know yet Lenny

Thats something always worth checking before you buy ...

 

[Gellyneck]

Errm Don't know yet Lenny

If it is over 3500kg you'll need a C1 licence to drive. Hopefully this OK for you.

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[gus-lopez]

If it is over 3500kg you'll need a C1 licence to drive. Hopefully this OK for you.

Looking at his age I should think he is ok

 

[hogger]

Plate on RHS side near rear wheel arch.

I'll have a look later. Going shopping for bedding and other stuff

 

[hogger]

If it is over 3500kg you'll need a C1 licence to drive. Hopefully this OK for you.

I'm an oldie so have C1

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[hogger]

Thats something always worth checking before you buy ...

I didn't as I'm 63 and have C1 on my license. Found out about that when visiting the dealers.
I'm thinking about extra security just now and what is best.

 

[Northernraider]

I didn't as I'm 63 and have C1 on my license. Found out about that when visiting the dealers.
I'm thinking about extra security just now and what is best.

Its not just for licence purposes but payload purposes. Some vans on 3.5 ton have very little payload so its worth knowing beforehand.
Some its just a paper excercise to have yhe weight raised but others its expensive.

Also a different tax category

 

[hogger]

Its not just for licence purposes but payload purposes. Some vans on 3.5 ton have very little payload so its worth knowing beforehand.
Some its just a paper excercise to have yhe weight raised but others its expensive.

Also a different tax category

I'm a bit clueless about the payload thing despite reading up on it but when talking to the people who sold it to us they said it wasn't a problem. They had it for five years from new, just the two of them used it like we will and they didn't have any issues.

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[hogger]

Its not just for licence purposes but payload purposes. Some vans on 3.5 ton have very little payload so its worth knowing beforehand.
Some its just a paper excercise to have yhe weight raised but others its expensive.

Also a different tax category

And just taxed it last night and nothing flagged up

 

[Northernraider]

And just taxed it last night and nothing flagged up

How much was it ?
That should tell you whether its 3.5 or 4.250

If it was £165 per annum its over 3.5 tonne

If its dearer than that then its 3.5 tonne

 

[Vipar]

Well Steve you started of right by asking questions on here and you finished up A WINNER.

Enjoy your new adventure, we will