Idea of price... (1 Viewer)

Merle Collins

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Hi all,

Apologies if this is not PC, but is it an annoyance if Newbies ask for advice on valuations of motorhomes? :rolleyes:

I've seen one local that could do the job, but am absolutely clueless at the worth of them..:(

I won't say what it is until the idea is given the thumbs up...(y)
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Can't see a problem myself :) A lot depends on condition etc. though.

Oh, it'll be our first one so is a LOT older than some of the beauties the regulars on here have... :(

1991 Ducato Chausson, 4 berth with 20K genuine miles on the clock. £5,500 ONO. :whistle:
Only snag, other than i imagine it will not have power steering, is that it has parallel facing benches in the back...:cautious:





Any thoughts?

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Chris

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That's quite a lot of van for £5k.

Are you sure about that mileage though?

Check for damp everywhere I think.
 
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Apr 13, 2012
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Looks very tidy

Price is o.n.o. so............................

Power steering will cost £600

MOT ? - How long owned ? Serviced ?.......................
 
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Sep 12, 2012
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Well, looks like a tidy one & I would have thought that's not a bad price. What you need to make absolutely certain of is that it is a genuine sale & the V5 is in the name & address of the seller, probably worth doing a hp check on it as well! I'm guessing it won't have had a habitation check so might be worth having a check around with a damp meter as well, then usual things like any service history etc.
Is there anyone locally who could perhaps cast an eye over it for you?
Good luck

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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Cheers guys (y)

It looks very clean inside also. I have a feeling it's been a one owner van from new. I would almost certainly believe it will be genuine 20K, cars don't do a lot of miles up here anyway, never mind MH's...:LOL:

The parallel benches do concern me though, as we have kids. Racking my brain as to how I would get over the safety aspect....:unsure: Is a new double seat in the front an option?

C
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Well, looks like a tidy one & I would have thought that's not a bad price. What you need to make absolutely certain of is that it is a genuine sale & the V5 is in the name & address of the seller, probably worth doing a hp check on it as well! I'm guessing it won't have had a habitation check so might be worth having a check around with a damp meter as well, then usual things like any service history etc.
Is there anyone locally who could perhaps cast an eye over it for you?
Good luck

There's not a Motorhome Specialist here, but I certainly could take a mechanic with me.

Is the lack of power steering a massive (n) on these?

Also, its only a 2.0 litre engine, would that annoy me after a while?
 
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Apr 13, 2012
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Seat belts might be a problem

We do worry today about them but my first MH had the same layout, no belts, kids wee small - buses don't have belts............. Your call on that one though

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normanandsue

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There's not a Motorhome Specialist here, but I certainly could take a mechanic with me.

Is the lack of power steering a massive (n) on these?

Also, its only a 2.0 litre engine, would that annoy me after a while?
The first motorhome I bought was a 2ltr petrol engine with an lpg conversion, it was seriously under powered and was the region I wanted to sell it after about 18months. Being petrol it was difficult to sell on and no dealer wanted it as a px.

Whilst your mh seems a good buy for the money and if later you find the lack of power and power steering a problem, you might find it difficult to resell or px. Have this in mind when you buy

Norman
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Looks very tidy

Price is o.n.o. so............................

Power steering will cost £600

MOT ? - How long owned ? Serviced ?.......................

Is the retro fit power steering any good/reliable BB?

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Apr 13, 2012
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Apart from your seatbelt issue, if every thing else is as stated, I would snatch his hand off

For a first van - I would agree with Chaser

My first van was a coachbuilt with a 1600cc petrol engine - took us to France and Spain - did struggle with the Massif Centrale though but what's the hurry ?
 
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The first motorhome I bought was a 2ltr petrol engine with an lpg conversion, it was seriously under powered and was the region I wanted to sell it after about 18months. Being petrol it was difficult to sell on and no dealer wanted it as a px.

Whilst your mh seems a good buy for the money and if later you find the lack of power and power steering a problem, you might find it difficult to resell or px. Have this in mind when you buy

Norman
Don't think it will ever be worth less than that, if as I said in my earlier post everything is as stated, if it's a rot box or full of damp then that's a different story, mechanicals can be fixed, ask bill the drill
 
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if its half as good as it looks it will be a great starter van youll get used to no power steering it is only heavy when maneuvering you soon realise you can only steer once moving
2 litre petrol will be fine possibly a bit slow on hills but again youll not be in a rush
my only concern is children without belts
 
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Tootles

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Snatch his hand off!!! Worth that for the really nice Ducato cab alone!!

Check this out on the petrol engine. This guy swears by them.

Link Removed
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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OK, this is marvellous feedback, thanks so much chaps. I was worried this was a well trodden path of a subject and would not be well received...:oops:

I'm going to organise a viewing. Is there a check list of things I should keep my eyes and ears open for?

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callumwa

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Looks great from the outside. You mentioned it has side benches, is there any way you could modify them so there is a a full backrest at the end and fit belts so the kids could sit in the right direction? I don't know the internal layout so I'm only guessing if it is possible. Power, or lack of it, and no power steering are issues you will get used to.

When you are in a motorhome you can just take as much time as it takes anyway...... that's part of the magic..:)

The belts for the kids would be my biggest concern, but otherwise for that money, it looks a great starter..(y)
 
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Tootles

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OK, this is marvellous feedback, thanks so much chaps. I was worried this was a well trodden path of a subject and would not be well received...:oops:

I'm going to organise a viewing. Is there a check list of things I should keep my eyes and ears open for?

Ask the guy if it has five gears, (some of the petrol models didn't). No need to worry about a cam belt with that engine, its on a chain.
A ful LPG conversion will cost you about £1500, well worth the money at 69p a litre. (and, it can be made to supply the cooker/fridge/heating).
 
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Wildman

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The motorhome buyers guide, by one James Brown BEM will save you the initial cost of the book many times over. See Jims shop top right of home page.

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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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The motorhome buyers guide, by one James Brown BEM will save you the initial cost of the book many times over. See Jims shop top right of home page.

Foolishly I forgot that I bought that guide at the weekend.!

Can the damp meters be bought at most Factors shops or are they a specialist purchase?

Just noticed that the T&T runs out in September...
 
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Damp meter - should be able to buy locally - hardware shop - simple device

Damp - look for staining on ceiling/walls/inside cupboards - panels may feel 'soft' - will smell

MOT/TAX not too important - check old ones for faults/advisories

Most sellers would offer fresh MOT
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Damp meter - should be able to buy locally - hardware shop - simple device

Damp - look for staining on ceiling/walls/inside cupboards - panels may feel 'soft' - will smell

MOT/TAX not too important - check old ones for faults/advisories

Most sellers would offer fresh MOT

Cheers BB.

With regards the damp meter have you got a link of what one looks like? Just so I make sure to get the right thing...

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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Looks great from the outside. You mentioned it has side benches, is there any way you could modify them so there is a a full backrest at the end and fit belts so the kids could sit in the right direction? I don't know the internal layout so I'm only guessing if it is possible. Power, or lack of it, and no power steering are issues you will get used to.

When you are in a motorhome you can just take as much time as it takes anyway...... that's part of the magic..:)

The belts for the kids would be my biggest concern, but otherwise for that money, it looks a great starter..(y)

I will make sure I check that tomorrow when I view it Callumwa. Not sure if you are able to add seat belts if there are no factory installed anchor points.. but am definitely going to do some research.(y)

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Tootles

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Use your nose! Stick into overhead cupboards, into as near the front corners as you can get. Then sniff in the floor lockers. If it's been stood for any length of time, you should smell damp. Check that no smelly stuff has been sprayed around to 'put your nose out'. Look along the outside seams and windows, for signs that silicon has been used. (y)
 
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You say you have kids, how many and how old ?
This would be my main concern with bench seats.
If you've only one , it can gave a child seat in the front. You or hubby can sit unrestrained in the back.

This was a stumbling block for us and the layout we wanted with ours. We had 2 front 3point seat belts in the back. And 3 kids.
Who do you make safe ?

Could you live with yourself if you had an accident ?
It might be legal because it's an old van ........but.

Our eldest rarely came. So for when he did, we fixed an extended lap strap in the through cab floor.
He travelled , rear facing legs up on the side facing seat. Back against a large back cushion , and a piece of thick ply between the drivers seat and the bulk head.
There was no chance of his head flipping back , and he was fixed in rear facing. He couldn't go anywhere.
Not ideal. But safe.
 
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Merle Collins

Merle Collins

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Just a daft query on this MH... As it has a back door, what are my options for a bicycle rack..? :unsure:
 
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