how do you buy a campervan??

[fluffles]

Dh and i know nothing about campervans and next to nothing about cars. we always buy our cars from specialist dealers so tht even though they are second hand they have warranties etc.

So, we are keen campers and ttc. we would like to buy a van when our baby is small to provide a bit more shelter, instant cooking facilities and extend the camping season (we're in scotland).

obviously we'd need something mechanically reliable as we can't do our own mechanics so am thinking something like a mazda bongo.

we only really have about 10-15k to spend (with a loan) but are nervous of buying from private individuals out of the papers or gumtree... i'd ideally want to see it in the flesh too, any ideas where we can buy one from with least risk?

i did a lot of research online and had bil who is a bit of a camper nerd.

we viewed a few on ebay and autotrader and got a good feel for how much things should cost. it is good to have a good poke around a few. originally we thought we wanted a big coach built affair but ended up with a much smaller conversion.

we did buy from ebay in the end and v. happy with our purchase.

sorry menat to add this
good dealer in borders, my sister used them

these guys are meant to be good too

Hi fluffles

We own a Mazda Bongo and live in Scotland.

We bought ours from a place called 4x4 direct, in Kilmarnock. Theres also a company called campus scotland in Tillicoultry.

We went on bongo fury website to research and went and looked at a couple of other places (weren't impressed with Caulder leisure at all)

Ours had a 2 year conversion warranty and 1 year van warranty.

www.directcampers.me.uk/

This is 4x4 website

Any other questions feel free to ask

www.campers-scotland.com/sales.html

I'm going mad, campus direct ffs, meant CAMPERS

brilliant folks. thank you!

i've saved all those sites to my favourites.

waiting to see what happens re. my job in the spring as i currently don't have to drive so we only have one car which DH uses for work.
when my contract runs out if i have to drive for work i need to decide if i can get away with driving a van as we can't really have two cars AND a van.

Just saw this thread and thought i'd add my 2p's worth! I bought last year from
www.campers-scotland.com/sales.html.

I absolutely love our Bongo, as do out my 2DD's. We're a family of 4 and it's perfect for us.

We hired from Campers Scotland first and received a discount off the purchase price of the van as a result. Gary is the guy to speak to there - what he doesn't know about Bongos isn't worth knowing!..really friendly guy too. He also does servicing etc.

Good luck...give us a wave if you pass me on the road!!

I know someone who is selling a beautifully restored sky blue VW campervan, in London though.

I went on to eBay and watched the prices for months to get a feel of what was expected. I did eventually buy off eBay and had to take the train to the Borders to buy it. The couple we bought it from gave us bedding so that we could stay the night in it on the way home. I think for your budget you would get quite a good Bongo.

We have a Bongo, which we bought from Ebay - without seeing it first. However, it was from a man who buys them, does them up and re-sells them, and he had good feedback and was very helpful. We bought it in August and have been away in it many times. It only cost 3.5K and it's fantastic. There's lots of advice about Bongos here and also some private sales. I think we should def have a Bongo thread on here, don't you??

I want a bongo [green]

Duh

Bongos look great

Hire one for the weekend and see how you get on and what you like and dislike about the configuration of the van. Then at least you can iron out some issues and problems before you fork out 15k on a van that you might not quite like - but then put up with as you have spent so much money on it.

agree that hiring out first is a great idea....if only so that you can then spend the time between hiring and buying planning exactly where you will store everything! we planned buying our van for years then finally took the plunge a couple of years ago and have loved it ever since. Best thing we have done as family. Good luck with your search