To Upgrade Or Not Upgrade

DaveFromBarrow

DaveFromBarrow

Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Posts
277
Likes collected
240
Location
Aboyne
Funster No
75,732
MH
Apache 634
Exp
Since 2020
We have a 2008 Autotrail Apache 634L. Great condition, low mileage, 3 owners including us, all bought and paid for. We love it. I removed and refitted all the windows last year to correct the poor workmanship from Autotrail. It's booked into Regal later this year for a not needed but wanted interior upgrade. All good.

The thing is, I keep wondering about an upgrade. I'm thinking for circa £20k we could get into a 2016/17 van, perhaps even one of the more prestige brands.

Has anyone any thoughts on this? For example have you upgraded and been glad you did or have you upgraded and wished you hadn't bothered.

I know this is a first world problem but I'm interested in people's opinions.

d
 
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If it's reliable you like the layout why change for the sake of it,. We bought our Hymer in 2005 we found it does everything we want it to so still have it and still as pleased as when we bought it. Why buy something that could give you more work and trouble.
 
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I am not a fan of autotrail, but seems to me you have a van you are happy with, you are spending time and money doing what you want to personalise it, its steady and reliable. so what do you want to change it for? we all like a new toy, but often dont need one.

i also think that with price of vans at the moment you may struggle to get a decent 2016 /17 motorhome for your van and £20k.

we have had our 2012 Adria from new, it gives me no grief and we like the layout. yes i would like to get an upholstery revamp but i would rather spend a few £ on this van. i guess it would cost me close to £15k possibly a bit more to stand still if i sold it and bought the same.
 
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I'm assuming you mean 20k on top of trading your current van in 🤔

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Buying a newer motorhome may not be an upgrade, quality has definitely gone downhill with the need to reduce weight so more (probably useless) goodies can be added. If you've got a good Autotrail you are already a winner so if the layouts right why change.

We have just changed ours and it is a bit newer, though still 13 years old, but our change was because of my age, wishing to downsize a bit to 3500, and preferring single beds as we are not great sleepers and usually get up at least once during the night. It absolutely fine though ridiculously low mileage (30k in 13 years) however I had a full service and it runs brilliantly. A bonus is 30mpg whereas our Rapido only managed about 23.
 
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We‘ve discussed this as we have a 2007 Swift but we’ve decided to keep £20k and use it to go away instead. There’s nothing wrong with the conversion, it works for us and we’ve yet to find one we’d replace it with. Agree with Reallyretired, looking at newer models I’m not impressed with the quality either.
 
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Spriddler said:
What is it precisely that you feel that is below your grade in your current m/h?
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Simply the way vehicles and tech are constantly evolving. The base vehicle would be better and the onboard MH tech will, I assume have improved.

d
 
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DaveFromBarrow said:
Simply the way vehicles and tech are constantly evolving. The base vehicle would be better and the onboard MH tech will, I assume have improved.

d
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The base vehicle will have more electronics to go wrong. The onboard stuff has evolved though I'm not convinced its actually an improvement in all cases.

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DaveFromBarrow said:
Simply the way vehicles and tech are constantly evolving. The base vehicle would be better and the onboard MH tech will, I assume have improved.

d
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I would take a look at the many reports on newer vans so much can go wrong and very expensive to keep up with unless it's just a matter of keeping up with the Jones's ten then that's different.
 
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Reallyretired said:
The base vehicle will have more electronics to go wrong. The onboard stuff has evolved though I'm not convinced its actually an improvement in all cases.
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For example why do manufacturers now introduce such things as electric beds and tables? Our O/head bed goes up and down quite easily.

Even electric-adjustable mirrors seem unnecessary for a vehicle normally driven by one driver so adjustment is not needed, and then they add indicators. All to the most vulnerable bit of kit on a vehicle. Replacement cost circa 250 quid plus fitting? Soon they will sell them only in pairs, when one breaks one.

KISS
 
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I would keep what you have if you are happy.

I got two new caravans and swore I would never do it again after the second. Loads of issues and back and forth to the dealer. The previous nail we had was a wreck but everything worked and we had just as much fun in it. If something went wrong, we fixed it cheaply and carried on.

I suppose it depends on how much confidence you have in it.
 
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nicholsong said:
For example why do manufacturers now introduce such things as electric beds and tables? Our O/head bed goes up and down quite easily.

Even electric-adjustable mirrors seem unnecessary for a vehicle normally driven by one driver so adjustment is not needed, and then they add indicators. All to the most vulnerable bit of kit on a vehicle. Replacement cost circa 250 quid plus fitting? Soon they will sell them only in pairs, when one breaks one.

KISS
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Is that £250 for the electric mirror? On some A class vans, more like £1500
 
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Our van is 6 years old, had from new.
Went to the dealers to look at the new range a few weeks ago and decided that the one we have is the reason we bought it, it does everything we need.
Saved perhaps £50000 so I am having the old graphics removed and a good polish,the old van is staying
 
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We sold our 2008 Arapaho and bought a 2013 Apache, the difference in build quality was amazing, have put a lot of work changing, replacing and improving the Apache to make it ours, we wouldn't dream now of changing the Apache.
From 2010 Autotrail certainly made cutbacks in quality and the current models have suffered even more so, stick with what you know and trust.

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Carol said:
I would take a look at the many reports on newer vans so much can go wrong and very expensive to keep up with unless it's just a matter of keeping up with the Jones's ten then that's different.
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I'm the most not keeping up with the Jones's person in the world :) This is more about looking at the long term. Thing is, all MH's need money spending on them. Servicing, maintenance, upgrades etc. I guess I'm wondering whether to make that ongoing spend on a newer or older van :)
 
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robnchris said:
We sold our 2008 Arapaho and bought a 2013 Apache, the difference in build quality was amazing, have put a lot of work changing, replacing and improving the Apache to make it ours, we wouldn't dream now of changing the Apache.
From 2010 Autotrail certainly made cutbacks in quality and the current models have suffered even more so, stick with what you know and trust.
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As in the new van was way better?

d
 
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I'd hold out for a nice Mazda red mercedes Vario that's in the pipeline!

Seriously

I'd look for a European van with good build quality. So long as you licence allows?
 
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I’d shop around and see what’s out there and what you’d get for your current vehicle. I wouldn’t spend any more money on the current van.

Good luck!
 
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DaveFromBarrow said:
As in the new van was way better?

d
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Sorry did't make that clear. No we bought the Apache brand new in 2013 and it was not better, we actually bought it 9 weeks before it was going to be built, so we asked Autotrail could we change and upgrade a few things, ie could they only fit one heating outlet in the "U" shaped lounge and could they move the location so it didn't go into the rear storage compartment, this they did.
Then we asked could they fix the mirror to the bathroom wall rather than on the wardrobe wall by the Habitation door by the steps leading out of the motorhome, this they said they couldn't do, it was only two screws, we told them NOT to fit the mirror we would do it ourselves.
We picked up the Apache and the wardrobe door fell off after driving only 20 mins, we found that the screws holding it on were very short, the doors are of hollow construction, now in the past this sort of door wood have had a wooden pad fitted for the hinge screws to screw into, the new doors didn't.
All the door and locker had handles fitted that had a 90' edge which was as sharp as a razor, twice my wife cut her ankle on the underseat locker handles, we changed all the handles.
Basically the standard of finish was no where near as good as the Apache and the previous Cheyenne but as said we have changed and made improvements and will now be keeping the Apache.
If you like your motorhome and it doesn't have any problems we would say keep it and use your money more wisely.

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Apart from my crazy mate Phill D (who plainly can’t see the sheer beauty and quality of the AT :reel:) I’d most definitely say stick with your van mate. I’ve had 12 years in mine and I wouldn’t change it at all, so stick with what you’ve got, know and love.

You may well spend another £20k on top of the ££££’s you get for your van, but there are so many horror stories about, that if you’ve got a good, solid, damp free van that you love, then get the interior updated and spend the remaining £1000’s on touring and getting away in it.

As Phill said, you can spend £zillions of squiddlies and you’ll still be parked in the same spot with the same view as always 👍🏻
 
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Jamesh said:
I'd hold out for a nice Mazda red mercedes Vario that's in the pipeline!

Seriously

I'd look for a European van with good build quality. So long as you licence allows?
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Yeah, I have a Class C license so all good there. I think I've been persuaded to keep putting my efforts into the Apache :)

d
 
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