ronm Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Hullo to All. I am new to this forum and looking for opinions,we are ex caravanners looking to upgrade to motor home, van we like is an 11year old 1996 autosleeper executive which has only done 25000 miles from a reputable dealer 12 months warranty etc. it appears to be in very good condition inside and out. my only concern is that it is an 11 year old vehicle. Is it wise to buy a van that old and can you still get spares for a peugeot boxers??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 We were in the same boat as yourselves having been caravanners and buying new vans most of the time. When the time came to buy a motorhome we asked the same sort of questions. We finally bought a 1998 Rapido with 86000kms on the clock from a reputable dealer who also gave us a 1 year guarantee on the base vehicle and also the habitation side. We have had the vehicle now since beginning of October 2006 and have had only 1 problem which was rectified by our local Fiat dealer and charged on the warranty, so we are very pleased with our purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaleg Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 we started with a 13 year old westfalier ?excuse the spelling, we traded in a 4 year old car and emptied the bank account. that was back in the late 70s, we now have a new auto-sleeper lancashire, this is 5 vans latter and no regrets. pete :-D :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbaillie Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 We bought an 18 year old Talbot Express Camelot with 45,000 miles on the clock. It is in excellent condition inside & out and mechanically. No regrets whatsoever and we've had it since September last year, use it at least twice a week and have had two trips away staying in the 'van. If the one you're looking at is in good condition, suits your needs and fairly priced I would say go for it. Don't worry about age or spares. 11 years is not old for a 'van and spares are easily available for Peugeot Boxers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronm Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 Many thanks to you all,it confirms what i was thinging but wasnt brave enough,now only have to confince my wife that she does like the cushions and curtains :-D :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Only thing that would concern me with a van that age would be the possibility of water ingress Ron, but with that one piece grp body you should,nt have any problems on that score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Before you buy just some quick suggestions: 1) check the terms of the warranty, some cover everything, some don't and you can bet it's the bits that aren't covered that will go wrong! 2) From the mileage you've given it's done less than the average so make sure there wasn't a reason for this by taking a very long and varied test drive, lots of gear changing, using fast roads and bumpy roads, straights and bendy ones, that way you'll get a good feel for the van and make sure everything seems to be as it should be. 3) Open every cupboard and look in every nook and cranny to check for damp, damage etc, don't be frightened of offending the reputable dealer, if they don't like it there's probably something to hide (hopefully not). Even though the van is a one-piece GRP design it doesn't mean that it has been free from water ingress, it can get in through windows, roof vent surrounds etc. 4) check the service history, both for the base vehicle and the habitation side, and find out what repairs/maintenance has had to be carried out over the years. 5) check how to make the beds and make sure you do it yourself, some are fiddly and you'll only be able to tell if you are happy with the arrangement by trying it. 6) check the price of similar vans from other dealers, not necessarily to buy from them, but at least to make sure that the price you are paying is reasonable. Mel B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronm Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 Many thanks for all your comments and advice,heeded and checked all points, so we went and bought the van, collecting it at the end of the month, so high ho and off we go, I hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Congratulations and welcome to the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 ronm - 2007-05-05 3:56 PM Many thanks for all your comments and advice,heeded and checked all points, so we went and bought the van, collecting it at the end of the month, so high ho and off we go, I hope You WILL love it, [or else - :-> :-> :-> :-> ] B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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