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Supertramp

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Hey Everyone!
Decided to register after two years of lurking, and a brief spell with 'the dark side' owning a 1974 latebay. Needless to say, it was a rust bucket and being 20, in the middle of university, decided I couldn't afford the time or expense in its restoration, we live and learn.

I sold it, and 8 months later I'm back with a bus itch that needs scratching.
I've been away from the 'scene' for a while and have never really looked into early bays, but have decided that the new bus has to be tax exempt.
Basically, I was wondering if anyone could give some pointers regarding budget. This bus is a family purchase so ideally we're looking at £7000/£7500 max. For that, I'd expect a long MOT, solid body and decentish interior, am I expecting too much?

We really want something we can drive immediately, but could add our own stamp to - the interior for example.

I understand that the best way to go to avoid rust is import, but being 20, it is hard enough to find insurance, RHD is essential.
I suppose what I'm asking is, what can I expect for my budget? Does it seem reasonable?

Looking forward to chatting with you all soon!
Paddy
 
Hi! And a big Welcome to EarlyBay!

I dunno mate.... that does sound like a bit of a tall order for that money... I'd expect to have to do a little mechanical work on something of that price, and it's likely to have some rust here and there....

I'd check out the for sale section on here as a start point (I'm guessing you've already been there! :) ) and then, if you spot something you like the look of, I'm pretty sure someone on here will come with you to make sure you're not buying a lemon!

Also, there are some traders on here worth a look.. T2D to name just a couple....

Good luck fella!
 
Hi and welcome..... TRY if you can to go for an imported bus.... The chances of finding a rot free RHD, if from the UK are VERY small. You might find that the slightly higher insurance that you have to pay for a LH drive bus will pale in to insignificance if you buy a RHD rotbox :D I have literally just finished speaking to a lady who is in tears because she purchased a RH drive shiney Bay which is costing her a FORTUNE in welding/bodywork etc etc.
 
Welcome Paddy :D I think for 7.5k you could get a decent bus. if you can I would get an import. sa maybe for your rhd. What ever you do, go for the most solid bus you can afford. engines, interiors etc are cheap in comparison to extensive welding. but hey sounds like you already know that! check out the for sale section here. also maybe some of the non scene sites. you might stumble on a bargin. I did 3 yrs ago. 4k for a rock solid yank import with a recon motor.
 
Does LHD really change your insurance premium? They'll try anything won't they. Bastards.

Either way, the money you save by not paying tax should cover the gap, eh? :p

I was determined on a RHD, which I now have, but in hindsight I really don't care if the steering wheel is on the correct side or not. The van itself is what matters :)

Good luck on your search, come back over to the light 8)
 
:mrgreen: Hey Paddy,,, big welcome. I`ll only echo what the other dudes are saying. One other possibility is if you ever go to, or know someone going to, or someone living in Oz that may be able to help you with an Ozzie style import, that could be your ace card. RHD and English adds up to ,,,,,,,,,, now you can do the maths,,,,,,,,,,, R.U.S.T. :mrgreen: Go on,,, you know you want to,,,,,,, ask me how I know :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen: I got one and have just a tad of rust I`m sorting out (the bits not plastic or glass) 40 years in the UK is a bit of a torture test for metal. So welcome to the rust versus LHD debate !

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Otherwise known as EarlyBay :lol: 8) :lol:
 
They're not all bad Oz! My UK'er seems to have faired pretty well












as far as I have found so far ;)
 
Very true! Mr Dog, dont start giving RHD british buses a bad rep, my van is infantly in better nick than any import zero rust and still has the factory paint where it counts ;)
 
Yours may be, Easy, but GENERALLY UK busses are more likely to be rotten than dry country imports. ;) However you have to weigh that against knackered seals and sun bleached furniture.

If I were a novice or new to EB world, I would stand a better chance of a rot free bus by chosing import
 
Thanks for all the replies, good food for thought.
I suppose it's simply a matter of weighing up the pros and cons of each.
RHD UK v LHD Import
Rust v Insurance Cost/driving position
etcetc


I'll get onto the various insurers today and ask how badly it would affect the insurance, I've been quoted some silly money for cars at the moment so it is still a worry, but we shall see.
If it isn't too bad, I can start looking at imports, although I've never considered one, so plenty of research to do.
 
Hi there mate,

I know exactly what you are going through as I bought mine last year when I was 20, I decided to go for a LHD US westy as the camping interior is great, and the body is solid, I paid 6k with a years MOT but then had to register it which was another £55, but the money you will save on welding and tax surely makes up for it no? :D my bus isn't perfect by a long shot as I am currently re-spraying her, but its on the road and I can use it.

I tried getting the bus insured when I was 20 and the best quote I got was £950, seeing as at this point it was only 5 months till my 21st birthday and the price when I was 21 was £280 :? i decided to wait haha, my insurance is with peter best insurance so you could give them a go.

I reckon you could get a solid van for your money as I did, but remember if there is rust coming through the panels, its only the tip of the iceberg haha :D

good luck tho bud.

Tim
 
Whatever you choose get it checked over. There are plenty of honest folk on here who would be willing to check out a bus and give an expert opinion for gas money and a beer or two.

Be wary of ALL buses even US 'rust free' imports. I've heard of a few being described as 'rust free original paint' and on inspection needing 1000's in remedial work just to get them through MOT. I'm not pooping on the party, i just want to inform you of the pitfalls and save you some cash/worries. Get everything checked out independently even if you think the trader is reputable.

On the flip-side when you do find the right bus, i'm sure you'll get years of enjoyment. good luck with the search.

My personal opinion LHD/RHD is no biggie i have both and have no problem driving either, i do get into the wrong side occasionally in the lefty which can be a bit embarrassing on a packed street :lol: so i just slide over pretending im hoking in the glove box for something ;)
 
I've been driving a LHD for the past 10 years, the insurance is no more in my case. There are very few issues with it being LHD - after all there is sufficient height in a bus to see over the top of cars in front when overtaking and wanting to see the oncoming traffic. You have to be a bit more careful when overtaking lorries etc.
The biggest issue I have found is ticket barriers at car parks - you have to sidle over trying to avoid the gearknob in the gonads, get the ticket, sidle back and get under the barrier before it comes down!
 
Thanks again for the replies.
I've called round 10 classic insurers. Only one would give me a quote, the rest said I had to be 25+, which is scandalous.
The one that would quote me said they wouldn't for LHD, so that's now out of the window for now, to say I'm angry is an understatement. I'm driving a 40 year old bus that will struggle to get past 60mph, hardly a boy racer.

Anyway, the good news is the one quote from Adrian Flux was actually very good.

However, it does mean that I need to find the right bus, so may have to stretch the budget to nearer £9000 - does this seem more appropriate? My main concern with buying a UK RHD is that I could spend £X and it hide a load of rust/filler, so may have to take up the offer of asking one of you experts :oops:
 
Have you tried VolksWorld insurance? I face similar age-related insurance issues and they sorted me out! http://www.volksworldinsurance.com/vwcontact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
gvee said:
Have you tried VolksWorld insurance? I face similar age-related insurance issues and they sorted me out! http://www.volksworldinsurance.com/vwcontact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Volksworld/Volkzone/HIC are all owned by Adrian Flux (just found out on the phone) so apparently should get the same price from all.
Which actually means of the 15 or so providers I've now contacted, only one will insure me, absolutely ridiculous.
It's lucky that the Adrian Flux quote is actually decent otherwise I'd be knackered until I'm 25.
 
It has all been said above really and maybe joining your loval VeeDub Club is a good move - so that when you have the hots for one you can take someone 'objective' with you............. ;)
Take some photo's and put it on here , you'll get plenty of opinions , above
all take your time and someone like Graham (Midland Earlybay) is very generous with help and advice.

All the best -JIM.
 
Lordain Volley said:
Hi,
I bought my first bus in March, a fantastic microbus deluxe in suberb condition from California. I paid £2,000 and with importation tax and haulage from California to my door it was just under £3,800.

I bought it from the Samba.com from a guy who buys them in southern California and sells them for a relatively small profit. I can ask him if he can help you, and then pass on his details to you.


Good luck, and be patient.

LV

Yeah that'd be great. I've had a look at Graham's site and emailed him a few questions. I think if I were to buy an import it'd be from him.
Also I know what you mean regarding others being greedy, I'm not sure if I'm just naive, but £34,000 for imported RHD's seems steep.
 

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