Talk some sense into me (kindly) -VW Campervan

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

I had a thread on here a while ago - I need to release some funds so I’m going to sell my beloved VW T5 Campervan.
we have found a Ford custom, 4 years younger, 30k less mileage, with lots of things we want - solar, reversing camera, no sink or hob (I want this set up), and it will release £10k.
im so sad! And reluctant to sell my van!
I know I can make the new one nice and I love having a project- talk some sense into me please!

Any vanners out there?

I wouldn’t buy a van with a wet built if my life depended on it.

Sorry, I can't. I've always wanted on.If I had one id keep it.

Don't do it... it might be cheaper on paper, but what is the actual reason for selling?
What's the service history like?

Take into account insurance and road tax as ongoing costs for your new van. A newer vehicle might be a big step up. Consider the whole financial picture. If the new van is what you prefer and it nets out at saving money then go for it. I say this as the ex owner of a T5 that has had a series of expensive garage visits recently.

Wet BELT even, lol! Too late to edit.

Sorry, I agree with pps. If you were quitting vanning altogether then OK but you'll regret selling it for an unknown, needs-work-done Ford- could be a money pit! Better the van you know :)

The person who buys it wants it because it is a character and will cherish and love it as much as you have. You’ll be sharing the joy that your van has brought you.

After a short while when you have got things arranged as you want and have got used to it, you will love the mod cons and efficiency of your new van and will wonder why you had doubts.

It's only 4 years newer though!

It depends on the age and engine type of your T5 TBH and how well it’s been looked after. And that of your target vehicle.
Put the question into ChatGPT and ask for known problems with both.
My T5 LWB is nearly 20 years old and has been relatively trouble free, but ugly problems are now cropping up, needs some welding, new alternator etc.

Had a lot of issues with the T5 - put a new clutch in last year as well as other jobs.
im selling to release cash otherwise I will need to get a loan.
then paying off the loan means not overpaying mortgage or pension for six months

There are different ways of making the decision - the cold hard ‘it’s just a vehicle’ financial facts and then the ‘does it spark joy?’ way of looking at it. If you love your van, OP, and it brings you joy then have you explored every other possible way of making and saving money? What are you releasing the £10K for - is that something you value more than the van? Only you can make the decision but as a VW owner I would do whatever I could to hang onto mine - it’s not logical (and definitely not financially sensible) but she brings me so much happiness - life is too fucking short not to feel good when you can xx

@Unfollowmethen yes I feel like that too.
though I guess I would still have a van - just not a VW.
yes the money is important, it’s for DS house deposit. We didn’t expect him to need it quite yet, so we kept it safe in a van…

Personally, I would keep the T5 and take out the loan. Six months on the mortgage is neither here nor there.

Well DCs are important I guess 🤔 🤣 I think I would also be very tempted to take out a loan as long as it isn’t going to leave you short every month. Or could you sell the T5 now but make say a 5 year plan to get another one? I know if I sell my VW I won’t be able to have another which is why I would be so reluctant to let it go!

VW - paying for the brand and the image - nuts!

@backformoreofthesame I know !
yes we will hopefully (wrong word) inherit in a few years and may go back to VW then, and get a van exactly how we want it, so it’s probably for 3-4 years.

It’s quite possible you won’t go back once you have had a proper van

come back in a few years if I am proven wrong !

So it sounds like you can give DS the deposit, still have a campervan for now and possibly get a better, newer van in a few years. Unless there’s a big backstory about you running a VW conversion garage and your entire social life being with the local VW club then it does sound like you already know what’s the right decision for you. Good luck!

Yes @Unfollowmethen thats essentially it - no back story.
also my friend said to me today ‘aren’t VW campers a bit Jamie Oliver though’
makes it easier to let it go definitely

🤣🤣 oh no - well I love my T5 anyway, even if everyone else thinks she’s naff

The "does it spark joy " hits deep with me. My t25 is and always has been an utter money pit, but by God I adore her. But she always sparks an awful lot of joy.

Do i think theres a cult around vdubs? Hell yes absolutely
Would I sell a t5 for a ford? Not on my Nellie.

Just came back to say
we’re keeping the VW and cutting back elsewhere to find the money.
we just couldn’t do it 😂

Aw that’s good news OP, glad you managed to work something out xx a deposit for DS and a joy-filled van - win-win 👏