Jackal Posted August 19, 2007 Author Share Posted August 19, 2007 Thanks for that Mel B. The Rimor had "something of the night" about it tbh. Looked used but was "new" apparently... as you advised I tried to exact a decent explanation about its history but alas when two different sales people can't get their story right, you tend to add two and two together and back away gently. I'm interested in your experiences with the tranny, as although I've tried elsewhere the Dethleffs deal still appears to be the best I can get. I have to say that I was less than impressed with the gearstick and cab of the tranny and having seen the new version, am wondering whether plumping for the old one might not be a good idea from the resale point of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Have you even tried to test the market and see what you can get for it privately. models such as yours are very popular and should sell easily. An add in ebay can work wonders and at less then £10 excellent value. I sold my demountable rig last November, within a month & after two adds and got what I wanted - 26k. I then I bought my EuraMobil from Belgium and saved well over 10k on Brownhills prices. second hand prices are ridiculous in the UK (along with everything else) dealers inflate everything and the consumer suffers. 2 -3 year ol RHD van or a brand spanking new LHD one on latest chassis? Mmm.... glad to see you have started to think sensibly regards old verses new chassis ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Just to add a bit more info, when we bought our Rimor in February this year it was brand new with around 350 miles on the clock as it had been used as a 'demonstrator' for driving around, nothing more. At the time we were looking mainly at second hand late 2005/early 2006 models as we didn't want to pay stupid money by buying new, plus we'd not seen anything 'new' that we particularly liked and we'd done a lot of searching. The deal we got we felt was so good that, even if we decided we didn't like the van in a few months time, it wouldn't actually have cost us anything, as the minimum PX value would be in effect what we paid, so we decided to see how we got on with it. Apart from the fact that it's long (I'll get used to it eventually!) it hasn't actually caused us any problem at all being over 1.5 metres longer than our previous van which is what my major concern was, we are very happy with it and plan to keep it for quite a while. At the time of purchase, we were offered the same PX price for our Rapido, or worse, against second hand vans which were a good £4-5K more, no brainer for us really. We did end up with a longer van than initially intended but it was a calculated 'risk' if you like and one we haven't regretted. As for driving the Tranny with the gearlever on the floor, we actually have found that ours is more comfortable than the Fiat dash mounted gear lever as the hand/arm naturally drops onto the top of the Tranny's gear lever and is not such a stretch. My last bit of advice - get the van because you want it and will enjoy using it, otherwise if you buy just on price you'll probably regret it. If any 'deal' is good one and you are definitely sure that the van you are looking at is for you then go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted August 19, 2007 Author Share Posted August 19, 2007 Like your Rimor, Mel B, the Dethleffs, gearstick, size excepted, seems to fit the bill. It'll be on a 57 plate and give me a relatively easy first couple of years in terms of servicing. The height more than the length worries me. Thanks to excellent and kind advice imparted here (Thank you all!) my other current way of thinking is to go for an older Hymer A Class on a Merc chassis. There's a Rapido 985M on E-bay at Webbs in Warminster for £35,995 but as it's a long way away and they haven't got back to me on my part exchange, I'm not holding out much hope. As for trying to sell my current van and take advantage of either importing or some other persons adversity to motorcamping, if I have no luck at Lazy Days tomorrow with my usual "cheeky" offers, I may get the old digital out and put a tentative listing on Ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Jackal - 2007-08-19 6:37 PM There's a Rapido 985M on E-bay at Webbs in Warminster for £35,995 but as it's a long way away and they haven't got back to me on my part exchange, I'm not holding out much hope. If you're looking in that direction, keep an eye on Southern Motorhomes http://www.southernmotorhomes.co.uk who usually have a number of used Rapido A class in stock. Personally, I'd rather have the 962M layout that they currently have, (transverse bed at the rear ideal for kids). My own van is a Rapido (bought new), and whilst I used to aspire to a Hymer, I bought the Rapido in preference. (Very well equipped as standard - surprising how you come to value things like a rear travel heater once you've had one). Mine's Fiat Alko, however, and I'm not sure about the Merc (though I know some people swear by them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted August 19, 2007 Author Share Posted August 19, 2007 Robinhood, Yes, it's got to be the transverse bed or bunks, just in case her-who-must-be-obeyed demands another mini-me! The other reason is the garage underneath. Are Rapido really not on a par with Hymer? I had them even-stevens in my book! I just don't like some of their gaudy interiors. But it wouldn't stop me buying one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted August 19, 2007 Author Share Posted August 19, 2007 Robinhood, Just looked at the Southern Motorhome website. There's an 03 962M for £38,995 which looks to fit the bill. It's got GRP sides as well which I'm very much interested in having seen how the ally ones get knocked about. Have you any experience in dealing with them. I'm stuck up North so it's a bit of a long way, tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Rapido are very much as good as Hymer, if not better. As has been said, you got an awful lot with Rapidos that you have to pay extra for with Hymers and I must admit the rear travel heating was lovely when we had it .... oh well, can't have everything! I can't remember where Carolh got her Rapido from recently but I know she got a very good deal on the price. You could try PM'ing her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Jackal - 2007-08-19 8:22 PM Have you any experience in dealing with them. I'm stuck up North so it's a bit of a long way, tbh. Don't really know much about them - I simply noted when I was looking around in the past that they 'specialised' in s/h Rapido. You might guess from my 'Soubriquet' where I am, which is also a good way away from there. (Though close to Br**nhills). The 962 was the one I noted, since it's layout is not disimilar to mine, which we find very good, and I would have thought better for you than the one on Ebay. FWIW, I would place Rapido above recent Hymer, partially for VFM (my van had standard items that would have cost thousands more as extras on a Hymer, and generally sensibly specified - Maxi Chassis (3850kg at no cost), heavy duty heating (including electric), large fridge freezer, oven, travel heating etc.). Build quality is good, and less plastic than newer Hymers (at least IMO). I agree about the colours - my upholstery wasn't my first choice, but the vehicle was absolutely the spec I wanted and already on its way to the UK when I ordered - so I went for it and we've grown to quite like it! In two years of heavy use, mine is wearing well. Only really had two issues from scratch - a number of stress cracks in the gel-coat of the mouldings - repaired under warranty (and a very good job made), with no re-ocurrence - and from scratch the rear heater blower didn't work - fixed that myself after a bit of detective work - several relays were out behind the dash - that passed a good few hours on our first outing. I can sense your dilemma - new van or something more 'exotic' second hand? Can't say envy you the choice, all mine have been new, but this one has re-awakened the spirit, gets used all year round, and is the best yet. One of the things that get me about the A class is that it takes a short while to get used to (feels very wide), but then, given the panoramic view, bus type mirrors and straight sides, it's now easier to drive than the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 Tested the A Class Hymer B644 on the Fiat 2.8JTD. Absolutely loved it but was told that I would have to pay the windscreen price of £41,995 as I was getting a good deal on my trade in (£28,500) so I'm left with making the decision of whether stump up £13,500 for the privilege. They obviously, really, really want to sell the Dethleffs! Rang about the Rapido 632M and another N+B 69GL at Edgehill Motorhomes but haven't had a response, yet. Absolutely sold on A-Classes now, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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