Your guidance and council

[cberry868]

Hi guys

Just wanted to pop in to say hi and also to ask for a bit of guidance and council from you all.

So my camper van story proably starts about 15 years ago when my brother and I met up with some family friends who were camping in Croyd. They had a wedge which, although we didn't get to sleep in, got taken for a little drive in. Also met a couple of blokes there who had a bay that they had done up using bits rescued from various pubs they were renovating - including kitting their van out with a sticky, lurid-orange carpet. Needless to say, at the age of 12, I made a promise to myself that I would get my own camper one day.

So fast forward 15 years and still no bus. Life kinda got in the way with work and saving for a house and it just never happened. However, with the credit-crunch in full swing, my savings are sitting there earning no interest and with little prospect of getting a mortgage in the next couple of years I thought now would be the time to throw my life-savings into the bus I always wanted. Even got the missus on board with the idea!

So to start the journey off, we're hiring a old bay and doing a little tour of Devon in a few weeks time, just to make sure buying one for ourselves is a good idea. I think everyone here knows the answer to that one.....

So the help I need? Well, the main thing is that, although I'm sitting on a fairly decent nest-egg to be able to buy a van and get it up to scratch, I also need to be confident that I'm not going to lose my money (getting a house in a couple of years time is the most important thing here after all). Just wanted some advice that this is a plausable idea.

My thinking is buy a bay for about £5-6k and then spend £4-5k on repairs, rust and resprays etc so have a good solid £10k van. Will then spend another £5k on interior and ICE so total budget of £15k. Any work on the van would be sensitive to the original vehicle but modern too - so perhaps put a TV in but not pimping my ride.

Realistically, is that budget sensible? My brother is a mechanic and I know a joiner for interior stuff so labour costs should be low. How feasible would it be to sell the van for £15k too? Should I up the budget to £20k perhaps?

I realise this is all a bit pie-in-the-sky and no real detail but got to start somewhere....!

Cheers!

 

[dave]

Welcome, about 2.5 years ago i was in a similar situation, but did not know of early bay so you have an advantage here as i have found the people on here very helpful.
Well what advice can i offer you, Buy with your head, the bus you look at may look nice from 10 foot but when you get close is it still as good, look at several, you do not say where you are but if there is some one else on this forum local see if they will come and look with you ( or at least get a mechanic or trusted mate to) they may see stuff you dont!!! get an idea of WHAT you want micro bus, tin top, pop top, original paint interior etc. And most importantly ( to me anyway) buy the best you can.

Try looking on the for sale section on here , that should give you an idea of whats about.

Good luck and keep us posted of you search ( mine took about 6 months, but that partly due to the other half wanting a split )

 

[ghop99]

Ample budget mate, and sounds like what you are expecting to pay for various jobs is about right. I would say most of us drive around in 5 to 10k buses but love them like they were a show bus. If its about making a quick buck then I wouldn't recommend it as a get rich quick scheme as often a project can get out of hand when you discover the hidden bits. Its all about love you see, make sure you don't mind spending the $$$ on it cause you will want to!

 

[ib-bus]

I would recommend attending a show, there are always many buses for sale that you can take a close look at in one day, Vanfest is coming up.
Also talk to some of the traders here on earlybay they always have good inventory and have knowledge they don't mind sharing.
Good luck finding your first bus.

 

[mcvw]

Hi, and welcome to the site

Firstly - and I don't mean to put you off - but think carefully about how you spend your savings. Consider how long its taken you to build them up, and then think about how much - realistically - you want to spend - and then stick to this figure

The good thing about the market right now is that bus prices are lower than previously, so you should be able to get a lot of bus for about 6k - without necessarily having to spend the additionaly 4-5k you were budgeting for repairs/respray.

Having friends/family that can help with the work will keep costs down, but whether you'll be able to get your money back in the future depends on many factors. i.e. the style of the van (stock/custom), interior (westy/devon/custom), and lastly but not least - luck!

Hiring a bus is a good practical way to find out if you can live/get on with a certain setup. It'll also give you ideas about what you might want to change or add.

With regards to starting somewhere - you're in very good hands here. There are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum. Just ask

Enjoy the ride!


Mike

 

[dubdubz]

again not to dampen your spirit but high end buses do sell but can take forever so the show winning bay that is up for £15k and that is at the very top end imho, will taje a while to shift

as others have said a 10k budget will get you a really clean example - and it might be sold for what it cost you BUT don't see it as an investment it's too risky.

I would buy a complete ready to go van for decent money - ie spend most 90% of the 10k for eg on it, allowing a £1000 'play' fund...which isn't a lot.

Does it have to be RHD, Tim from Roadhouse Retro [as others, but Tim's a pal ] can source you a dry US bus for a reasonable and fair fee and help with shipping.

DON'T unless you are a trained bodyshop professional go for a project - it is false economy. I have learnt the hard way as I'm going to have to sell my 72/73 without really using it, once I have got it sprayed and reassembled..I need the money more than a vw

 

[easy]

Hello and welcome :mrgreen:

Right its list time!

Basically a good way to see what sort of van is right for you is by attending shows and events, so that you can have a good nose at what interiors work well for you etc, i.e cooking stuff, no cooking stuff, number of berths for kids etc. You will after a few shows get a great idea as to which type you are after.

Have a good look in the readers rides section on here and you will see many vans of various degrees in practicality and style. I have restored a few buses and its a difficult task to undertake and always costs more than you think.

My advise is if you have the cash go for the most up to scratch one you can from a reputable dealer, for example Scott Wilson on here sells RHD vans that are rust free and in amazing condition that need little or no work doing to them, or you can contact Graham L who will help you out in any way he can, plus there are many others who are here to help.

If you need any advice let us hear it and we will help you in any way we can, the doods that use this site are some of the top earlybay owners in the country and some of the nicest people in the scene, so get asking and dont be shy to ask even the simplest of questions.

8)

 

[froggy]

Take a look through the gallery section at what you can do with a bus, take a look at how long it took to get to that point and then if you dont know bus's or are going to get someone else to do it for you, double both the time and money.

For 10k you can get a top spec ready to roll bus that will only need personalising, keep the rest of the money under the mattress.
Any more than this and, personally, i think your throwing money away.

What do you want out of a bus? Show and shine winner? Useable weekend bus? Tourer? Pop top, tintop?
Look through the gallery before throwing good money at a poor bus

 

[ib-bus]

You have PM 8)

 

[mjknight71]

throw my life-savings into the bus

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Mentalhealth/DH_209" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; :lol:

 

[cberry868]

Thanks guys, that's most helpful.

Firstly, definitely thinking of getting to Vanfest if I can - will be tricky but hoping it'll be possible. Definitely seems like a sensible thing to do given that I don't really know much about all of this.

Loads of questions and comments have popped up so just a few bits and questions:

1) Based in Kingston and work in central London. If anyone is near by and fancies letting me perve at their van....
2) Not looking to make money from a van, just don't want to lose too much. Don't mind losing a couple of grand but not 4 or 5k
3) Would ideally like a crossover bay or something earlier. For some reason don't want to go much later than mid 70's. It has to be older than me!
4) Almost certainly has to be a pop-top. At 6'4" that's not so much of a choice!
5) Plan for the van is to take a couple of weeks off work in Summer 2010 and do a tour of Britain, mainly driving the full coast of England and Scotland. Hoping that I can do a lot of Europe in 2011. Then want weekends away and to go to camper shows/meets
6) Mechanics is all sorted - my brother is a fully-trained VW mechanic, has his own garage and owes me a favour! He won't be good on body work though but has contacts who will do a good deal.
7) As with most people I'm sure, I would like a van that is solid, rust-free and good-looking. I like the idea of having a beautiful glossy respray but not essential. Interior-wise, need something that fits in with point 5. Also, music is a big thing and would want a decent music system in there with several speakers etc (not to blast out drum and bass - rock on vinyl is more my thing - but for the music to be good quality) and also a DVD system. I'm "concerned" about ruining a van that has an all-original interior. Essentially, perfect van would be one that is solid but needs a respray and new interior.

Questions:
8) Does difference between RHD and LHD matter? I'm assuming it's more preference but people generally prefer RHD (being British and all) and that means they sell a bit easier
9) Does anyone have a link to good info on importing vans, i.e. what it entails (I'd use someone to help but being a control freak need to know what's going on), any major pitfalls and things to be concerned about, what guarantees an importer offers?
10) How much do these things cost to insure generally (clean licence) and is agreed-value insurance easy.

Off to look round the galleries, sales pages etc now!

Thanks again!

 

[cberry868]

throw my life-savings into the bus

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Mentalhealth/DH_209" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; :lol:

Money, schmoney. 8)

 

[dubdubz]

Thanks guys, that's most helpful.


3) pre 73 tax exempt........5 yrs ownership £900 saved!!!
4) Westy then!

 

[AxlFoley]

Welcome to the forum.

have you seen this one well worth a look

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17377" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Araon]

Hello and welcome fella

well its an easy decision in my eyes given the budget your playing with

Dont even consider a project rule that straight out go for the best possible metal you can afford and enjoy it, get to learn the mechanics of it get your loved ones on board if at a later date you fancy a project dip your toes in with a cheeky 3 grander they always take longer than expected unless you are fully geared up or have the contacts....

As has already been hinted at there are some very good dealers on the site Scott Wilson for solid very straight dry south african busses he will if you contact him search SA for the bus of your dreams its not cheap when all the taxes are paid and its imported but you'll have a RHD bus to the best spec and condition for your cash, MEM two nice chaps based in the midlands and again bringing in some very nice busses

try searching the vans for sale there are a few corkers in there at the mo

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15311" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; low mileage untouched not even slept in

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15964" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Graham L one half of MEM stipulate what you want and price they can accommodate

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17266" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

theres plenty of choice with a good budget and they are far from reducing in price

Go to a show or two but keep the cheque book at home, take contact details that way it gives a bit of breathing space away from the euphoria

Drop in on the Earlybay camping at vanfest or line up anywhere theres a show all too willing to talk busses ask the stupid Qs and get some sensible replies

Good hunting

 

[froggy]

Drop in on the Earlybay camping at vanfest or line up anywhere theres a show all too willing to talk busses ask the stupid Qs and get some sensible replies

Since when :lol: :lol:
Seriously though if you can get to vanfest go and say hello to the earlybay crew, have a look at there vans and let them help to make your decision (although there seems to be a westy mafia going on 8) jealous me never :lol: )

 

[Pete B]

Messed up, see post below!

 

[Pete B]

given that I don't really know much about all of this.
Would ideally like a crossover bay

Clyde, would you like to comment on the above?!!!
Me, I'm saying nowt except buy the best (take that as solid and rust free) bus you can afford. Remember that this is a 40 year old plus vehicle, it will not drive anything like a modern car. Vauge steering (at best) brakes you would believe to be faulty even when at their best and so little power as to be frightening on busy roads. Cruise at 50mph, service every 3000 miles (Yes, really!) and take a comprehensive tool kit, manual and spares all the time. If you are the type that gets someone to check the oil, believes in 20,000 service intervals ('cos that's what the company car needs...) and has no idea about points gap or dwell angle, then think about how much you are prepared to spend paying someone else to maintain your classic vehicle. Might sound harsh, but it's not like buying and owning a modern toy, mini cooper, RX8, Elise etc.
I find it so frustrating when people (young and old) purchase an air cooled VW and are surprised when there is more to ownership than with their company BMW or the like. Honestly, before now I have wanted to punch someone for their complete and utter ignorance of what they have bought into! What a waste of a good VW, you know it won't be treated with respect and/or maintained as it should, and then they will criticise this piece of motoring history for not being 'as good' as a modern car.
A week ago I was chatting with a fellow selling his 1300 curved screen beetle, looking for a 'camper van, split or bay, don't mind'. Yes I reply, agreeing to look at a '67 split, new test, fully kitted out, no rust for £6500. Bargain of the decade, or would have been had it not been an '87 (E plate) T25. Is that not a '67 split then, says said fellow? I thought an E plate was '67. Gobsmacked. Sod the reg number, it's not a split.
I don't mean to sound like some self appointed font of all knowledge, 'cos I sure as hell am nothing like, but sometimes I am amazed at what folk come out with.

Steps down from soapbox and slowly exits stage left with head bowed.

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

:lol: Just be glad you haven't restored them for a living.
Heard some right gems such as
"Its not even as reliable as my skoda"
"Oh right, what have you got?"
"57 plate octavia"

"The engine has started making this rattling noise"
"When did you last check the oil?"
"ermm......"

It's a steep learning curve I guess, you just need deep pockets and a sense of humour!
(and it does help if you know how to use a spanner)

 

[james_stan]

Did anyone mention Scott Wilson yet ?
I have no affiliation with him, never spoken to him or even met him.

However his busses look great and good value. If I had my choice again
VWClassics would be my first port of call,

Cheers

James