So I bought one..... I think......I'm back! I think lol... (1 Viewer)

[davidathomas42]

So I spent the last few weeks looking at options for self build for my dream van.. And its probably doable but circa £120k + to achieve. I don't have £120k+

In fact right now I have about £500

But. I do have a car worth £25k+ (Electric BMW i3S) thats finance free and hot property with the current fuel climate. And I spoke to my sister who's also interested in sharing a van with me to do impromptu holidays with her husband (who hates motorhomes lol) But she wants to try the life and talk him round a bit.

So all things in I suppose we have £50k kicking around for a cash purchase.

Anyway long story short. Went to the Lincoln Motorhome show and looked at ALL the Motorhomes there, Very nearly bought a 2017 Bessacarr for £56k but sense said have a think.

Anyway today I went to my local dealers (Timberland Chesterfield) I pass it every day. This was to look at a few £45-£55k vans. All which were sold. I looked over the whole site and of all things a 2009 Bessacarr caught my eye. It was £29995 and looked dated inside. But I couldn't stop myself from thinking its not a boat load of money in current climate and I could even afford it cash myself.

Its an Auto which MASSIVELY appeals to me. Hate Manuals. Its got Solar. An Oyster Sat dish (not sure I need it but hey ho its fitted) And a few other bits and pieces.

Anyway here it is..... Its a little 80's porn interior I think but I am sure I can modernise it a little. And whats more. I can get out and explore this wonderful country some more.

I am waiting on the thumbs up from my sister to see if she wants to go halves. If she does I will take the extra £££ i'll have to add GazLow and buy TV's etc and do a few minor interior upgrades to get it looking as good as the old girl can. If not then i'll still likely take it but the extras will take some time.

 

[Swifter]

That’s a nice looking van . Don’t worry about the interior cushions . To start with you can just get some throws to go over them but long term you can get them all completely recovered . Jim had a competition on here and the company are really good . Can’t think of the name but someone will recommend it

 

[Diabalo]

Nice one, I think you will be a perfect match considering the 80's porn vibe interior

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pampam]

I dont think its too dated ,i think its very nice and liveable, with a good layout…………
but i wouldnt want to share lol

 

[movan]

I like it.

 

[bobandjanie]

Nice one, I think you will be a perfect match considering the 80's porn vibe interior

It that the same as you had Diabalo Dane.

Exciting times ahead. Bob and Janie.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[davidathomas42]

Thanks all... So ive asked the dealers to modify the bathroom a little for me. Its got X2 screen doors to keep the water in. But the rear one as far as I can tell is just to keep that massive locker above the toilet dry. I dont see the need myself. So they are going to remove the locker and the screen so I just have a huge wet room... The sink area has cupboards under it and a couple of wall mounted things for tooth brushes etc.. Seems excessive. Not like I need a thousand bottles of coconut shampoo.

 

[Jamesh]

Nice van!

TARDIS inside!

Perhaps wrap the silver from trim?

Cheers James

 

[Vipar]

Greetings peeps welcome from Bexley

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Diabalo]

It that the same as you had Diabalo Dane.

Exciting times ahead. Bob and Janie.

Oi what you saying

 

[Holly's mum]

Looks like a lovely tidy van and will do you just fine. As others have said you can sort out the finer details and make it your own, as and when but it is perfectly useable as it is now.

Buy it and get out there and start enjoying it

 

[HugoBNB]

Welcome

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[VXman]

Got my MH from Timberland. Not too impressed with aftercare/solving of problems/issues.

 

[Shrimp]

Van looks good, I always prefer the ‘wood’ look to the white that seems to be the norm lately.
The upholstery could probably do with an upgrade but not desperate.
I wouldn’t share the van with anyone, nobody will treat it the same as yourself!

 

[davidathomas42]

Got my MH from Timberland. Not too impressed with aftercare/solving of problems/issues.

I have found that with pretty much every dealer I have bought from. Im going back today to take if for a test drive before committing. Ill then be looking over it for an hour or two to find snags prior to it going in the workshop. Once its delivered ill be sorting any little bits myself. Big items I always give dealers the option then fill in CCJ paperwork if they are slow. You would be surprised the speedy results that gets me. I handed back a 1 series BMW in 2019 with a full refund that way after they tried fobbing me off.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Clarky]

That looks a very acceptable van and not too dated.
Upholstery can easily be covered and updated when finances allow.
As long as it’s sound with no damp or mechanical horrors I would go for it.

Welcome back.

Richard.

 

[VXman]

I have found that with pretty much every dealer I have bought from. Im going back today to take if for a test drive before committing. Ill then be looking over it for an hour or two to find snags prior to it going in the workshop. Once its delivered ill be sorting any little bits myself. Big items I always give dealers the option then fill in CCJ paperwork if they are slow. You would be surprised the speedy results that gets me. I handed back a 1 series BMW in 2019 with a full refund that way after they tried fobbing me off.

You do have the advantage of being local, we are 2 hours away. Also, ours was a brand new van so I felt/feel I shouldn't be sorting these things myself.

Anyway, good luck. It seems a good van and a good price.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Good to see you back. I think a 2009 era van a good choice. I am guessing that your pilot employment suffered a bit in the pandamic, so sorry to read that. However, you are now free to pursue your dreams of travelling Europe a bit more slowly I think that I remember one of your early posts where you were contemplating a very long trip in a very short time.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[davidathomas42]

Good to see you back. I think a 2009 era van a good choice. I am guessing that your pilot employment suffered a bit in the pandamic, so sorry to read that. However, you are now free to pursue your dreams of travelling Europe a bit more slowly I think that I remember one of your early posts where you were contemplating a very long trip in a very short time.

I remember that trip lol...... We ended up doing it but it was combined with 5 days standby in Alicante for me with work. They called me on day 2 and sent me to Belfast. So I left the family in Alicante. They ended up flying back with Ryanair and I had to get an easyJet flight back to Alicante to get the motorhome with a 1 day dash to Santander to get the ferry back..... Note to self..... Take the time and have the time...... I look back at the trip fondly now though....

I am back flying finally. Last week was my first flights back after 2 years 3 weeks 6 days and 12 hours off.... Not that I was counting lol..... Faro tomorrow where there is a lovely spot right at the tip by the airport that I see on every approach and cant wait for the day I drag a van there to watch the planes coming into land rather than flying them myself.

 

[wolfie2]

Good looking motorhome....I have read that Swift had a problem with damp floors around that time so a very thorough check of that might be wise (I'm not sure of the exact dates)

 

[Minxy]

I would hold off removing the bathroom locker/screen as I think you'll soon get fed up of having to wipe down all the toilet, floor, walls etc each time you shower, also I can't tell from the picture what the wallboard is, it might not be fully waterproof. I wouldn't do any mods such as that until you've used it for a while to see if you like it first, you may find that the layout doesn't suit etc and if you've altered it it could seriously damage the resale value.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotzsue]

I would hold off removing the bathroom locker/screen as I think you'll soon get fed up of having to wipe down all the toilet, floor, walls etc each time you shower, also I can't tell from the picture what the wallboard is, it might not be fully waterproof. I wouldn't do any mods such as that until you've used it for a while to see if you like it first, you may find that the layout doesn't suit etc and if you've altered it it could seriously damage the resale value.

Beat me too it, always think it is a good idea to try first modify later.
a few throws and colourful cushions will soon brighten up the interior. Bought a van once with an interior I ‘couldn’t live with’ it did well for 4/5 years. Apart from my Romahome was in the end, my favourite interior.
hope it drives well take your damp meter with you and someone with a good sense of smell.

 

[davidathomas42]

I would hold off removing the bathroom locker/screen as I think you'll soon get fed up of having to wipe down all the toilet, floor, walls etc each time you shower, also I can't tell from the picture what the wallboard is, it might not be fully waterproof. I wouldn't do any mods such as that until you've used it for a while to see if you like it first, you may find that the layout doesn't suit etc and if you've altered it it could seriously damage the resale value.

I have to disagree with that. The walls are the same in the shower part thru to the toilet area. They are the same piece of waterproof lining so will have no issues. Wiping down the toilet with a small towel is a very quick minimal thing. I had to do that in my 2015 Swift Escape as that was just a wet room so used to doing it. And Im 6'1" and 125kg so id much rather a big shower and lose a cupboard than be cramped in.
I also am buying it for me not the next owner so resale value is of minimal importance to me. It certainly wont make enough difference to ever care about.

But thanks for the thoughts and advice

 

[James-Alex]

Looks great hope you have many happy memories

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

I have to disagree with that. The walls are the same in the shower part thru to the toilet area. They are the same piece of waterproof lining so will have no issues. Wiping down the toilet with a small towel is a very quick minimal thing. I had to do that in my 2015 Swift Escape as that was just a wet room so used to doing it. And Im 6'1" and 125kg so id much rather a big shower and lose a cupboard than be cramped in.
I also am buying it for me not the next owner so resale value is of minimal importance to me. It certainly wont make enough difference to ever care about.

But thanks for the thoughts and advice

I thought it was for you and your sister?

 

[ambulancekidd]

 

[Jamesh]

I remember that trip lol...... We ended up doing it but it was combined with 5 days standby in Alicante for me with work. They called me on day 2 and sent me to Belfast. So I left the family in Alicante. They ended up flying back with Ryanair and I had to get an easyJet flight back to Alicante to get the motorhome with a 1 day dash to Santander to get the ferry back..... Note to self..... Take the time and have the time...... I look back at the trip fondly now though....

I am back flying finally. Last week was my first flights back after 2 years 3 weeks 6 days and 12 hours off.... Not that I was counting lol..... Faro tomorrow where there is a lovely spot right at the tip by the airport that I see on every approach and cant wait for the day I drag a van there to watch the planes coming into land rather than flying them myself.

View attachment 542042View attachment 542043

Hope you had a bit of a refresher before flying again!

Cheers James

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[davidathomas42]

I thought it was for you and your sister?

It is. She's the same thought as me. Cant stand cramped showers. Her only thought was to leave the electrics from the cupboard light and put another one in the wall so its not too dark. Should be simple enough.

 

[davidathomas42]

Hope you had a bit of a refresher before flying again!

Cheers James

I pretty much lived in the simulator doing emergency drills and short regular type flights (no failures) before getting back in the plane. Then had to fly with a senior training captain the first 6 flights..... Felt very ready after all that. We don't take chances in Aviation.

The strap line is "Safety is no accident. It must be planned"

 

[Snoopy]

Looks really nice, good to have interior seatbelts, separate sleeping/ relaxing area, check your pay!oad, looks nice..enjoy

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}