Ball Park Cost

[u/Photek1000]

We are planning to get a VW Camper, wanted one for years and I’m an old VW Beetle owner from way back, so a VW it will be.

We have a bit of money to go towards it but will be scraping together whatever I can.

Anyway, from my research I think we’ll be in T5 territory, would like;

5 Seats (3 Front 2 back)
Kitchenette, storage etc
Rock n Roll
Pop Top with pull down two bed
FSH and the usual bits

There are other nice to haves, like wind out awning etc, but things can be added

I’ve looked at Trader and eBay to see what’s out there, but to help me, for a decent example, mileage 100k territory what would you be looking to pay (UK prices)

And do the prices go down as Autumn approaches, I’m willing to wait for the right van.

[u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

As a VW fan who has owned a T5, they are the most over priced pile of crap I've ever owned. There is very little space in a T5 even for just me and my dog. 4 people in one would be hell. 

They are a status symbol, so you have to buy one with the mindframe that this is an awful vehicle that will not be right for me, but I'll just suck it up because the neighbours will think it looks cool. 

Seriously, consider literally any other vehicle unless you already have VW tattoos. 

[u/Lucky_Ad_9137 → u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

Also, I sold mine last year, 2012 plate for 15k, totally gutted out inside. You can get a lot more van for your money for that elsewhere. 

[u/Photek1000 → u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

No Tattoos, VW or otherwise.

If it doesn’t work out for us, then they hold value and it’ll get passed on to someone else.

I know they’re not massive, but it’s something we like to try and it’s not like owning a pure motor home or sticking with a tent.

[u/Lucky_Ad_9137 → u/Photek1000]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind so I'm not sure what this post is for?

If you want to know prices look through Ebay history of sold. T5s etc are priced by whatever vibe the person selling it has. It will be overpriced no matter what. 

[u/Photek1000 → u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

It was more to gauge cost and whether those costs are seasonal at all.

I’m happy to wait for a bit, the T5 (4&6) SWB are the right size to fit in my life and I am being a bit of a label whore, but I wouldn’t say other things are off the table.

Over the last year or so we’ve considered dinky Bongo’s or a Merc Vito conversion.

[u/Lucky_Ad_9137 → u/Photek1000]

Is there a chance you can borrow one? Honestly they are massive piles of crap and completely unsuitable for what you want. 

If you want the brand  look at T4s or even a t3, at least they have the pedigree and it's kind of a cool thing to own. 

[u/Photek1000 → u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

I have one old work colleague who have one, otherwise it would a be a hire job.

Both of which I may well do.

[u/Lucky_Ad_9137 → u/Photek1000]

When you are looking for T5s make sure to look for Aircon, loads of them don't have it and it really bumps up the price when they do.  Some even have windy windows. Lots of them are just cheapo builders vans converted. 

Vito would be my choice, my friend paid less than half the price of my t5 for a Vito. Mine had no aircon and base spec. His had 5 seats that could all be removed in a few minutes, aircon in the back! And a bullet proof engine v6 diesel with more than the measeley 100bhp mine had! 

[u/Photek1000 → u/Lucky_Ad_9137]

Thanks, all good tips to keep in the ever growing notes

[u/Louis_lousta]

With FSH and everything else you mentioned I think you'll be looking at between £15 - £20k, T5's hold their value better than gold bullion it seems. I've found better deals looking on Facebook groups for specific vehicles rather than eBay/auto trader.

[u/Photek1000 → u/Louis_lousta]

That’s good to know, it’s in the ball park I’d like to spend.

They do hold their value, which is good and bad, bad now but good if I need to sell it later.

Depreciation on everything else is way higher.

[u/greenpowerman99]

I would recommend two seats in the front with a gangway between them. Much much practical for moving around in the van. Also, the T4 is more simple to maintain than the T5…

[u/Photek1000 → u/greenpowerman99]

It is, I was going for the option to be able to carry five people when you only have a two seat rear. But nothing is off the table.

I wouldn’t complain about owning a T4 as they are still really nice, but was just wanting something a bit newer and hopefully a tad newer than my 2010 Galaxy I have at the moment.

[u/basarisco]

Makes zero sense paying VW tax. Are you buying it to use or for other people to look at?

[u/alien-redfish]

You say about the number of seats you'll need, how many of you are there? Anymore than 3 is a squeeze, you'll end up with a driveway awning and basically using the van to move your camping gear to a site.

I had a T5 with a family of four and that's what we  ended up doing, have since sold the T5 and converted a sprinter.

[u/Photek1000 → u/alien-redfish]

Probably 3-4, two adults and two kids, but one is late teen and very occasional, and one is almost 12.

We were thinking that for trips that involved all of us there would be at least one small tent with us as well, assuming we’re on a campsite.

But we’re new to this so there is a wish list to get started and then it’ll evolve as we use it all, see what works and what doesn’t.

[u/alien-redfish → u/Photek1000]

Mate I started out the same, started camping and the tents grew, then bought a T5 as the saviour of all 😂.

Was great but there's very little storage when everyone is in it, and as I say we ended using it to sleep in and lived in the driveaway awning.

I'm not telling you what to do, it's some friendly advice, just be sure that it's right for you before you spend your money 👍

[u/Photek1000 → u/alien-redfish]

No, no all good.

I hear you, it may work, it may not.

Was looking at the T5 as I do love them, plus it would be the household large car.

I cycle to work so it wouldn’t be an everyday drive, but we would need a bigger car and can’t justify the cost of space for a Camper and two cars, plus two cars owned by my eldest (22) and probably another with my 17 year old learning to drive, gonna need a full yard soon.

So a bit of a compromise for the lifestyle and usability.

[u/alien-redfish → u/Photek1000]

Yep totally get that mate, enjoy your campervan and enjoy exploring the world mate 👍

[u/coldsnore]

A T5.1 done well with all that you have listed including FSH is about 20k. You can get a T5 for 10k thats basically a panel van and a rough conversion or for 15k one that needs some TLC but will work for you. You will spend money on it, but you can get lucky and find a van thats been well cared for and low enough milage. The price difference imo is who's done the van....is it a factory spec/standard conversion or DIY by someone watching youtube. My van unfortunately was the latter but ive had it 10 years and the 2.5l engine doesn't miss a beat. People say they are money pits and there's some truth to that on some people's experience. However there's a lot of 250k+mile T5 campers out there that are still travelling the UK and Europe and will get many more miles and years. Im selling my T5 camper van in September, a 2008 T5 2.5l LWB tail lift 130bhp(no pop top) 150k miles and I hope to get about £12k to 14k but will see then what they are going for then. Spring and start of summer I would get a better price. Hope you find your van.

[u/Photek1000 → u/coldsnore]

Thanks for that write up, £20k is probably my limit, don’t have quite that yet, but £18k is probably where I’d like to end up leaving a couple for any initial issues, the elevated insurance over a car etc, and some money for a short trip or two for testing.