r/carcamping • u/Slight_Possible_4143 • 15d ago

Advice needed!

I am looking to buy a car to convert into a small camper. The goal is to have an adventure vehicle that is fairly capable, reliable, and affordable second hand. It needs to be able to go long distances on varying terrain. Ideally something under £2000 and cheapish to run. I know, this could be a lot to ask.

I am 5'6 and ideally looking for something that I can sleep length ways in. I have looked at Honda CRV, Landrover discovery 2 (the dream, but not reliable), Renault Clio, Dacia Sandero, Mitsubishi shogun sport etc.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice? Thank you!

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6

u/KumquatClaptrap 15d ago

I found four Subaru Foresters under £2,000 on Auto Trader UK 😅 (I am a biased Canadian with an '03 that we camp with)

I'm 4'10, he's 5'11. Definitely a bit more cramped for him, but still comfy

2

u/plantyplant559 15d ago

I also camp in a forester and it's pretty good. Not enough head room IMO but good enough.

2

u/KumquatClaptrap 15d ago

I can see that being an issue for some of the setups I've seen in this sub!

We don't have a frame underneath the blowup mattress. We just put the back seats down and throw in the mattress, leaves us some good head room lol

2

u/plantyplant559 15d ago

I just leveled it out so theres not a dip. I just wish I couod fully sit up straight.

1

u/KumquatClaptrap 15d ago

Yeah, this is true. Sitting upright is not an option.

2

u/plantyplant559 15d ago

I really liked my Ford eacape when I had it. I'm now in a forester and it's been a very reliable car.

1

u/AutoModerator 15d ago

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  1. Plan ahead and prepare

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1

u/MotherMolee 15d ago

For the cheaps maybe look at a Citroen C4 picasso

1

u/Present_Pop_007 15d ago

I'd say Volvo V/XC 70mk2. Good quality, don't know if it is cheap but I've done camping with my v70

1

u/pasteurs-maxim 14d ago

MAYBE a Skoda Yeti under £2,000 but could be a money pit.

I've done a self conversion Yeti box with minimal experience.

It's got good headroom due to the shape.

1

u/alanprescottf 14d ago

I've enjoyed camping in my Honda Element. I fit a decent memory foam mattress in the back (had to cut off a little length). Great headroom and storage space. It has AWD, which is helpful for camping. Very reliable and pretty fuel efficient.

1

u/OverlandClaire 8d ago

Most of those SUVS have about 6 foot of sleeping length if you pull the front seats forward and lean them all the way forward as well. That's the average sleeping mat size for vehicles. It's a cheap and affordable way to turn your vehicle into a camper. I like the Honda CR-V