Why do people spend £40,000 (1 Viewer)

[stcyr]

So ... why buy from a dealer? Surely the only reason for buying from a dealer is to get a vehicle on which everything has been checked/rectified/replaced as necessary - before being sold/delivered and to get a 100% warranty for a reasonable length of time, irrespective of the purchase price and age.

Alternative: buy privately for a good bit less and hope nowt goes wrong - if and when it does, get it fixed.

A new vehicle should be perfect on delivery - full stop.

 

[capinpugwash]

I think that if you buy, or are thinking of buying, anything, and then look at the appropriare forums on the web you will wonder why anyone buys anything.

Original posts on those type of forums tend to be negative as by nature the OP has had some sort of unpleasant experience.

I have had cars in the past that have been absolutely fine, yet if I had followed forum opinion rather than my own judgement I would have given them a wide berth.

Yes there are always problem buys, but most are not, and we should concentrate on the 99% that are good and not the 1% that are not.

I have also found that peoples expectation differ, and ones man perfect cup of coffee for example is anothers worst even though they are from the same pot.

Value for money is often forgotten, but applies at any price level. We in this country often expect to get a Rolls Royce for a Mini's price. Value for money is just that, and should not be confused with cheapness, or indeed over pricing.

The customer should not be the quality control department, but if something is wrong it is very rare that it does not get sorted out provided the approach taken is one of reasonableness.

Price is relative, happines is personal.

 

[iandsm]

different things

[HI]Its the same with anything different people decide to spend on different things .I can never understand why someone would buy a rolex my cheapo watch tells the time just as well or designer tee shirts just the same as primark buy with a flashy logo but thats life.[/HI]
As regards quality then it does seem its poor for what motorhomes cost but they are low volume products and with anything handmade there will be some problems I don't think any of the motorhome manufactures are large enough to set up a production line and pull apart the first 10 to refine the production process. It's probably also due to buyers wanting diversity in layout etc which must lead to modifications all the time.

It probably will never be as reliable to buy a motorhome as a car unless they become mass market items its a bit like buying a specialist sportscar how many lotus/maserati/alfa drivers in the past waxed lyrical about the reliability of their cars.....not many there will be good and bad ones. If they ever become that popular there will be no point buying one the roads will be too crowded and in the UK even more expensive for sites!

David

The reason is, a meal in Bert's greasy spoon fills your belly just the same as a gourmet meal in a top class chefs restaurant, but the difference lies in savouring the enjoyment and the experience. As for items like watches and clothes, you usually pay for high quality with a high price. The similarity between a Marks and Spencer tee shirt and a £2 one off a market stall is that they both cover your belly, but the difference is, how well, how comfortably and for how long.

If people don't understand the difference, or don't don't care, that's fine. But for those who enjoy something better there is a huge difference if you can afford it . Affording it is another argument.

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[busby]

So ... why buy from a dealer? Surely the only reason for buying from a dealer is to get a vehicle on which everything has been checked/rectified/replaced as necessary - before being sold/delivered and to get a 100% warranty for a reasonable length of time, irrespective of the purchase price and age.

Alternative: buy privately for a good bit less and hope nowt goes wrong - if and when it does, get it fixed.

A new vehicle should be perfect on delivery - full stop.

Not many dealers provide the service you have described. SHAME. BUSBY

 

[Tootles]

But for a boat with the facilities of a new 6 berth motorhome you would spend a lot more than 40K!!! how much for a 35ft yacht

David

A decent 50ft narrowboat, (good steelwork, proper fit out), will cost you about 80k, plus £750 per year licence, and around 2K moorings, dependant on what part of the country you choose as a base. A repaint, (every three years or so), around 6K. Lift out and blacking, also around every three years, 1K.
A widebeam inland waterways boat will start at around 100K, and for a nice fit out plus electrical extras, add another 80K.

Not a poor man's hobby. However, if you live aboard, and move on every 14 days, then forget the mooring fees, council tax, and TV licence.

 

[busby]

Our first M/H cost 10k, it had a drop down bed, a 2 burner hob, INSTANT Hot water, turn the tap, Whoossshh hot water! a separate shower,a Toilet you could sit on without your forehead knees trying to push the wall out, captains seats, four seat dinette, real wood cabinets, blown air heating and all the usual nicknacks that made life comfortable, it didn't have power steering which after 6 years was the reason why we sold it

It was a Pilote R750 A class 1989 G reg

You have to be off your tree to pay anywhere over £20.000 for a 2nd hand M/H

To think people are willing to take on such huge debt and such huge monthly payments, to buy a £40-100.000 M/H on the knock, just leaves me wondering on the sensibility of mankind
There was a fella on here ,I don't know how long ago now, whining cause he had to sell his M/H, cause he could not afford the |£500 MONTHLY payments.
And recently, someone paid £I00.000 for a new M/H and has had, so far over a year of problems AND as far as I know it's still ongoing

Buying your first? Buy 2nd hand! and under £20k OLDIES ARE GOODIES

Not everyone buy on THE KNOCK, many save up and pay cash. BUSBY.

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[camcondor]

Our first M/H cost 10k, it had a drop down bed, a 2 burner hob, INSTANT Hot water, turn the tap, Whoossshh hot water! a separate shower,a Toilet you could sit on without your forehead knees trying to push the wall out, captains seats, four seat dinette, real wood cabinets, blown air heating and all the usual nicknacks that made life comfortable, it didn't have power steering which after 6 years was the reason why we sold it

It was a Pilote R750 A class 1989 G reg

You have to be off your tree to pay anywhere over £20.000 for a 2nd hand M/H

To think people are willing to take on such huge debt and such huge monthly payments, to buy a £40-100.000 M/H on the knock, just leaves me wondering on the sensibility of mankind
There was a fella on here ,I don't know how long ago now, whining cause he had to sell his M/H, cause he could not afford the |£500 MONTHLY payments.
And recently, someone paid £I00.000 for a new M/H and has had, so far over a year of problems AND as far as I know it's still ongoing

Buying your first? Buy 2nd hand! and under £20k OLDIES ARE GOODIES

Whatever happened to everyones right to make THEIR OWN CHOICE? What you think is wonderful may be entirely unacceptable to someone else! And so what if someone wants to spend £100K on a motorhome? Perhaps that is off YOUR tree - but not the trees of other people, there is a forest out there you know, not just a single tree!

Anyway, I think its very small minded to "diss" others who want to spend more than you can or want to -

Last I heard this was a democracy in which we can make our own decisions as adults, whether the naysayers like it or not, as to how we spend money and what we spend it on!

 

[chaser]

Whatever happened to everyones right to make THEIR OWN CHOICE? What you think is wonderful may be entirely unacceptable to someone else! And so what if someone wants to spend £100K on a motorhome? Perhaps that is off YOUR tree - but not the trees of other people, there is a forest out there you know, not just a single tree!

Anyway, I think its very small minded to "diss" others who want to spend more than you can or want to -

Last I heard this was a democracy in which we can make our own decisions as adults, whether the naysayers like it or not, as to how we spend money and what we spend it on!

My post wasn't criticising anyone for spending whatever they want , my point was why do we pay that much then put up with shoddy mhs, in fact this thread has shown even though they have problems they are still saying it's ok it's being put rightoh: IT SHOULDNT BE WRONG

 

[Terry]

It's all down to choise and probably all relative to your circumstance I know that before I packed in work 4 yrs ago 500 quid a month would have been next to nothing, but40k debt Me ifI ever win lottery I may buy a new van but then aga in I don't mind repairing when itfalls to bits
Terry

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[Sandancers]

If we're looking at the £40,000 price bracket consider this;


We want to buy a MH this winter, so I've been haunting this forum for several months to try and pick up wisdom. The main thing I seem to have learned is that when damp gets a hold in your MH it's expensive, time consuming and a load of heartache !!

I am pretty skilled at building and repairing things, have had a VW camper years ago, fitted it out, stripped and rebuilt the boxer engine no bother. I have qualifications in electrics and gas.

So lets say my budget is £38,000, what can I get for that ?

Well, I could buy a panel van and fit it out myself, then I'd get the layout which is perfect for us. BUT, I bet I would not get the finish of a manufactured MH and it would take six months out of my life and when I'd finished it bet I would say "if I was doing this again I wouldn't build it like that" ! So rough estimate of cost £25,000 + probably 50 man days of effort.

Or I could go to any dealers and just pick a fairly recent secondhand MH which more or less is right for us, then worry about damp, find it's not as "right" as we thought, etc. Cost up to £38,000 ish.

Or, I have been attracted by the Autosleepers Monocoque MHs, I could get a Talisman, about 2006 vintage for about £26,000, less damp problems to worry about and I could customise it a bit to suit. BUT, most of those type for sale seem to be down South, therefore add in the cost of travelling to the showroom, maybe several showrooms, probably a hotel stay, RAC inspection, distance to go back if faulty, new tyres and parts, MOTs etc then the price starts to creep up towards £30,000 +

Or, I could just go to a local dealers, lay down £38,000 and get an Elddis Accordo. 10 year habitation warrenty against water ingress, 3 year mechanical warrenty. No work to be done on it, so would spend more time away in it. I'd know its history. And brand new ! BUT, I'd have to accept that it would not be totally "right" and suffer the initial depreciation


So that's the quandary !! I'd suspect it's the same problem that others have faced and that's before you talk about "fit for purpose" of either new or secondhand !!

 

[Snowbird]

Having read through this thread am of the opinion that some are confusing quality with newness. If matters not how new anything is, or for that matter how expensive it is. Quality is something you can touch or in some cases feel. Anyone instinctively knows quality when its presented to them. For instance, being a lifelong smoker I have a ST Dupont lighter which I have used every day for the past 30 years. Its been back to the factory once in that 30 years for a service. I bought it second hand 30 years ago from someone that had no idea of the quality of it. I run a 23 year old RMB that cost me well under 15K when I bought it 2 years ago but was the price of 2 semi detached houses when new. I have never had the money to spend on a new motorhome as if I was spending upwards of 40K on a holiday home I would want a damp course and not wheels on the bottom of it. But then again that's only my view, and my choice. Maybe I have been lucky, having lost count of how many motorhomes I have owned over the years, but I have never lost money on any of them. If I had bought new then that would be a totally different story. Over the years I have heard all sorts of horror stories from owners of just about every motorhome ever built, so there are none that are squeaky clean. If you are unfortunate enough to get a Friday afternoon one then I feel sorry for you and its just bad luck. It does not say that all the rest of the weeks production is bad. As it says at the bottom of all my posts "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten".

 

[journeyman]

I agree with the OP. I wouldn't want to part with a serious amount of money to buy a new van in the UK until the Dealer/Manufacturer aspect of the deal is sorted out. I note that Chris stated its the manufacturer at fault, legally maybe so, but I do disagree with that, as I would be handing my over hard earned money to the dealer. I think it's Joint Enterprise.....Both of those parties have a responsibility to the customer.

When the going gets tough and bits are falling off your new van, the dealer and the manufacturer seem to suddenly stop being your new-found best friends and really don't want to be in the same town, never mind their sales office discussing and resolving your problems.

Some of the dealer/manufacturer threads on here make me think that some of their actions border on criminal. If someone comes round my old mothers house and charges her £350 to lop a couple of small branches from a tree, does a poor job and then leaves, your local plod would be telling you to be aware of "Rogue Traders"

However hand over £40k+ for a brand new van at a shiny dealership and find it not fit for purpose or riddled with faults, then face months and months of anxiety and stress......Its ok, its just the industry!!

So in that circumstance, why gamble your 40k. Buy 2nd hand, let someone else have the grief of getting the product up to standard and in the process save yourself thousands of pounds.

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[Chris]

I agree with the OP. I wouldn't want to part with a serious amount of money to buy a new van in the UK until the Dealer/Manufacturer aspect of the deal is sorted out. I note that Chris stated its the manufacturer at fault, legally maybe so, but I do disagree with that, as I would be handing my over hard earned money to the dealer. I think it's Joint Enterprise.....Both of those parties have a responsibility to the customer.

When the going gets tough and bits are falling off your new van, the dealer and the manufacturer seem to suddenly stop being your new-found best friends and really don't want to be in the same town, never mind their sales office discussing and resolving your problems.

Some of the dealer/manufacturer threads on here make me think that some of their actions border on criminal. If someone comes round my old mothers house and charges her £350 to lop a couple of small branches from a tree, does a poor job and then leaves, your local plod would be telling you to be aware of "Rogue Traders"

However hand over £40k+ for a brand new van at a shiny dealership and find it not fit for purpose or riddled with faults, then face months and months of anxiety and stress......Its ok, its just the industry!!

So in that circumstance, why gamble your 40k. Buy 2nd hand, let someone else have the grief of getting the product up to standard and in the process save yourself thousands of pounds.

What I said was that sometimes dealers get blamed unfairly for manufacturing faults. I didn't say they didn't have a legal responsibility to the customer.

I think the response of some manufacturers to vehicle faults is disgraceful.

 

[journeyman]

What I said was that sometimes dealers get blamed unfairly for manufacturing faults. I didn't say they didn't have a legal responsibility to the customer.

I think the response of some manufacturers to vehicle faults is disgraceful.

That wasn't a pop Chris, I honestly don't know the legal aspect.

But if the dealer takes my £40k for a brand new van and it's riddled with faults, then I expect the dealer to make right, at their cost and then recoup that money back from the manufacturer....Thats why I'm using them as a "Middle Man". Its that bit of the industry thats failing the customer....Once that bit gets sorted, i'm pretty certain better levels of PDI by both parties will quickly improve....at the moment there's to many carrots and not enough sticks.

 

[Chris]

That wasn't a pop Chris, I honestly don't know the legal aspect.

But if the dealer takes my £40k for a brand new van and it's riddled with faults, then I expect the dealer to make right, at their cost and then recoup that money back from the manufacturer....Thats why I'm using them as a "Middle Man". Its that bit of the industry thats failing the customer....Once that bit gets sorted, i'm pretty certain better levels of PDI by both parties will quickly improve....at the moment there's to many carrots and not enough sticks.

I know you weren't having a pop:thumb:

I agree with you but sometimes the dealer just can't rectify the faults and the van has to go back to the manufacturer.

PDI is all important I agree and some dealers really need to up their game on that.

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[Granjan]

Well I'm glad i just have a motorhome, and I'm chuffed to bits that it is a new one, i accept it will depreciate, and i expect we will have some problems, but it probably wont put me off swapping it for another in a few years time. However if i can't afford a new one i won't buy one simples!
No point in saving up for the kids to pay more inheritance tax, or to afford a better nursing home. Enjoy life while you can whether you are in a 5k motorhome or a £250 k one!

 

[FULL TIMER]

Well I'm glad i just have a motorhome, and I'm chuffed to bits that it is a new one, i accept it will depreciate, and i expect we will have some problems, but it probably wont put me off swapping it for another in a few years time. However if i can't afford a new one i won't buy one simples!
No point in saving up for the kids to pay more inheritance tax, or to afford a better nursing home. Enjoy life while you can whether you are in a 5k motorhome or a £250 k one!

This is one of the problems in this country, after spending 40 grand upwards on most new motorhomes should anyone really have to expect to have problems, just seems as if the buying public have now come to expect and accept problems rather than expect a fault free product.

 

[Wissel]

I would bet if this forum had a name and shame sticky regarding the problems people have with new vans and how dealers and manufacturer's deal with these problems a few would get their act together.

Just saying.

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[Daveo2006]

40 grand ? huh small change

 

[Phill D]

one of the issues for dealers is that some manufacturers contest every warranty claim even if supported by evidence from a credible dealer, also when they do agree warranty action the manufacturer pays the dealer in slow time 90 days + after invoice.

a well meaning dealer could have significant financial issues if they did not manage this situation carefully.

from personal knowledge on my last motorhome, the dealer fully supported my warranty needs and represented them fully to the manufacturer, he really did all he could including make good my repairs but i know for a fact he did not get paid for that work for nearly 4 months after it was complete.

the key to solving the problem with new motorhomes is not necessarily PDI as in my opinion that is TOO late. it should be picked up at final inspections at the factory. that not to say PDI's are not important; they are.

To the original OP's point generally motorhome manufacturers take us for mugs

if you payed £40k for a new car and had a problem in most cases the dealer will be all over the car while you were given / plied with coffee and cake and if required a courtesy car to tide you over. I have had the Warrant manager and MD of a very well known UK motorhome based up north manufacturer tell me Quote! " we have many warranty issues to deal with and we will get around to your motorhome when we are able". nothing the dealer did could hurry them alone and it took 18 months.

they think they are a law unto themselves..

that is why i now own a non UK motorhome.

sorry, oh: rant over.

 

[camcondor]

Phil, while Adria build quality is certainly better than any of the Brit vans I have ever seen, their manufacturer support was certainly diabolical when we bought ours in 2007. They were pretty new here then, and the vans were reasonably priced and actually a bargain, in the case of the A class, but the Concessionaires at Long Melford (a caravan outfit whose name I cannot remember) were just as bad as Swift, Autotrail et al, and the dealer we bought from was a total disgrace (BCS Motorhomes, Herne Bay). Thank heavens the Adria build quality has been pretty good and apart from the mess ups and omissions and non PDI from the dealer, it has been absolutely fine (and no sign of damp! ) unlike the dreadful builds of the Swifts and Autotrails of that era.

Adria subsequently took over those premises in Long Melford and have a Slovenian lady MD running the business now, hope it has improved! Luckily, I have not needed to contact them for anything!

Although I would have loved to buy a decent Brit built van, there is no A class, and the Adria is really well made.

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[Phill D]

i believe the early days of Adria in UK were a problem.. i have only had reason for one contact with them and the action and response was immediate i am pleased to say.

i am verry happy with the build quality, had ours March 2012 and am so far very pleased.:thumb:

had swift caravans in the past and been happy. but Autotrail to me is equivalent to swearing

 

[bailey]

i believe the early days of Adria in UK were a problem.. i have only had reason for one contact with them and the action and response was immediate i am pleased to say.

i am verry happy with the build quality, had ours March 2012 and am so far very pleased.:thumb:

had swift caravans in the past and been happy. but Autotrail to me is equivalent to swearing

My first motorhome was a Adria it was it was a 2009 model after 6 months got rid best move I've ever made what a piece of """"""" crap now have a Bessie Brilliant

Bill

 

[Phill D]

My first motorhome was a Adria it was it was a 2009 model after 6 months got rid best move I've ever made what a piece of """"""" crap now have a Bessie Brilliant

Bill

its your money so its your choice. :thumb:

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[bailey]

its your money so its your choice. :thumb:

My advise don't buy a Adia if you do you must have money to burn or you could be a Traveler

 

[haganap]

My advise don't buy a Adia if you do you must have money to burn or you could be a Traveler

Weird, I have had both...the Bessie the same as yours and the adria.

I think the Bessie is far more refined but he adria was much better built...:thumb:

You pays your money you takes your chances:thumb:

 

[bailey]

Weird, I have had both...the Bessie the same as yours and the adria.

I think the Bessie is far more refined but he adria was much better built...:thumb:

You pays your money you takes your chances:thumb:

The only problem with a Adria is the build quality is rubbish and the police constantly pull you up I wonder why, you get what you pay for

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[haganap]

The only problem with a Adria is the build quality is rubbish and the police constantly pull you up I wonder why, you get what you pay for

Weird, 27000 miles, in 8 different countries, including Scotland and never got pulled once? Was it your driving

As said, your build quality may of been crap but mine was ace.

 

[Chris]

Weird, 27000 miles, in 8 different countries, including Scotland and never got pulled once? Was it your driving

As said, your build quality may of been crap but mine was ace.

I don't think it was his driving.

But he was pulling a trailer full of scrap metal

 

[busby]

its your money so its your choice. :thumb:

Is a Bessie a Swift with a posh name. BUSBY

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