Camper for under €2000

Barr

Hi All

I’m new the campervans and must admit I’m a bit clueless on what to look for.

What are my chances of getting a decent one for under €2K ? Would I be better off paying more than my budget for one with a DOE.

I have some other questions as well.Apolgies if they are a bit basic.


- Is there any particular make/model I should consider at my budget?

- Is the DOE as strict as the NCT for campers?

- When I rang the insurance company they advised I would need an engineers report. Will any mechanic be able to so this or is it a specialist job?

- Is there only one place that quotes insurance for campers?


Thanks

Barr

Aidan_M_M

I've added my answers/opinions within your original post.

Barr wrote: »

Hi All

I’m new the campervans and must admit I’m a bit clueless on what to look for.

What are my chances of getting a decent one for under €2K ?
Between slim and none to be painfully honest .

Would I be better off paying more than my budget for one with a DOE.
Even going to 6-7k you'll struggle to get a decent one , with DOE .

I have some other questions as well.Apolgies if thsy are a bit basic.


- Is there any particular make/model I should consider at my budget?

- Is the DOE as strict as the NCT for campers?
Not really , the DOE in general is less strict than the NCT , regardless of what it's for . It's still all about brakes , suspension, sterring , lights , emissions etc .

- When I rang the insurance company they advised I would need an engineers report. Will any mechanic be able to so this or is it a specialist job?
AFAIK it has to be a SIMI registered garage . I stand to be corrected though..

- Is there only one place that quotes insurance for campers?
Nope , Dolmen , Stuarts(Stewarts?) , and Bill Lupton are 3 I know of .


Thanks

Barr

Macy0161

Engineers Report - Dolmen it's SIMI or Main Dealership. Stuarts I think are Main Dealership only now. I don't think there's much in their rates or cover.

You'd be struggling at that money imo, maybe a small campervan rather than motorhome. You might get a conversion in reasonable mechanical and body work nick, but needs a camping side overhaul. Possibly a T25 that needs a bit of work?

Irishgoatman

HI,
I agree with Macy0161, if size is not important go for a campervan. I bought my 2 berth on ebay for under your budget and have had no problems in 3 years. When I went to the U.K. to look it over I was prepared to write off the cost of airfare if it wasn't up to scratch but I struck lucky.
Not sure if the state of the economy is a help or hinderance, people selling because they need cash but but more people looking to buy because they can't afford to go away for holidays.

Keep looking and the best of luck.

bluethunder

I bought a campervan (converted Ducato) recently and was trawling all the donedeal type sites for months in order to get the right one. You will not get anything decent for 2k, especially not a motorhome-type thing.

If you want something reliable and well kitted out you are going to need to triple your budget, unless you want a project to work on over the winter. A lot of people have different views on makes and models. VWs have a good reputation but are over-priced. Fiat, Ford, Iveco, Peugeot, Renault all have their good and bad points.

My main concern was reliability and bodywork. I wanted something with relatively low mileage for the year and as rust free as possible. A full service history is always a bonus.

These aren't too far off the 2k mark.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2214162

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2533734

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2536399

I'd go for the 410 myself.

bluethunder

Those links are all for the same van. Anyway, in the description:

"Body needs some attention ... 300k miles...unfinished project".

Not exactly ideal. You could spend another fair bit getting it ready and then how long will your engine hold out?

You probably will find vans in that price range but you can be sure there are things lurking that will cause headaches and put a hole in your wallet.

Barr

Thanks for the advise so far guys

I've spotted this one which seems to tick most boxes. What ye think?

Are these reliable ?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2342162

haveabadday

Hi I cant find how to post a new thread up on here!!!! havent used it for long time.. so bit lost!! any help please...

Macy0161

Barr wrote: »

Are these reliable ?

As far as I'm aware, transits would have an alright reputation engine wise, and parts are cheap. However, they wouldn't have the best reputation bodywork rust wise.

meercat

haveabadday wrote: »

Hi I cant find how to post a new thread up on here!!!! havent used it for long time.. so bit lost!! any help please...

go to the forum you want to post in
click forum tools
click post new thread;)

25sean

Irish goat man!!

should probably start a new thread for answers, but just saw your post re a camper bought abroad on ebay.. looking at a few things in england myself and am wondering about the vrt.. extra cost to take into consideration... i was on their forum but was still unsure of what id be looking at..

is a camper's vrt done at 13.5% OMSP?
is that what it would cost to buy it new these days or do they take the age of the van into consideration?

thanks for any answers.. hoping not to be stung with an extra bill when I bring a nice one home!

Barr

Macy0161 wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, transits would have an alright reputation engine wise, and parts are cheap. However, they wouldn't have the best reputation bodywork rust wise.

Given its got a current DOE , can I assume its fairly rust free ?

Irishgoatman

25sean wrote: »

Irish goat man!!

should probably start a new thread for answers, but just saw your post re a camper bought abroad on ebay.. looking at a few things in england myself and am wondering about the vrt.. extra cost to take into consideration... i was on their forum but was still unsure of what id be looking at..

is a camper's vrt done at 13.5% OMSP?
is that what it would cost to buy it new these days or do they take the age of the van into consideration?

thanks for any answers.. hoping not to be stung with an extra bill when I bring a nice one home!

Hi 25sean,
I'm afraid I can't help you with this. Things have changed, I believe, since I imported mine so it's best if I say nothing. My VRT was based on the open market valuation and once I had paid it, argued about their valuation and received a refund (surprise, surprise) I forgot all about it and can't lay my hands on the paperwork which is well filed. At that time it still kept the price of the camper reasonable compared to what was on offer over here.
If you scan back through this site you will find threads that refer to the changes as there has been a lot of noise about it.

Just had a quick scan and it does look as though it's 13.5% of Open Market Value in Ireland. They will tell you what they think, you will have to pay this then submit proof ( details from ebay/donedeal etc) of 'vans for sale/recently sold that are comparable to yours but under their valuation and argue for a refund.
Great fun, if like me, you enjoy arguing with authorities!!!.

macshadow

Here's another one for ya http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

meercat

macshadow wrote: »

Here's another one for ya http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

if thats all that it seems then probably its worth a gamble

650Ginge

meercat wrote: »

macshadow wrote: »

Here's another one for ya http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

if thats all that it seems then probably its worth a gamble

That has to sell easy. That roof bed is a great thing. It is an older van but still.

the rambler

Irishgoatman wrote: »

Hi 25sean,
I'm afraid I can't help you with this. Things have changed, I believe, since I imported mine so it's best if I say nothing. My VRT was based on the open market valuation and once I had paid it, argued about their valuation and received a refund (surprise, surprise) I forgot all about it and can't lay my hands on the paperwork which is well filed. At that time it still kept the price of the camper reasonable compared to what was on offer over here.
If you scan back through this site you will find threads that refer to the changes as there has been a lot of noise about it.

Just had a quick scan and it does look as though it's 13.5% of Open Market Value in Ireland. They will tell you what they think, you will have to pay this then submit proof ( details from ebay/donedeal etc) of 'vans for sale/recently sold that are comparable to yours but under their valuation and argue for a refund.
Great fun, if like me, you enjoy arguing with authorities!!!.

as a matter of intrest how much of a refund did you get back???
i got a refund of €232 on my burstner when i appealed/argued with them and im just wondering whats the average?

meercat

650Ginge wrote: »

That has to sell easy. That roof bed is a great thing. It is an older van but still.

spot on
sold quick
think someone got a real bargain there
anyone on here?????

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

Irishgoatman

the rambler wrote: »

as a matter of intrest how much of a refund did you get back???
i got a refund of €232 on my burstner when i appealed/argued with them and im just wondering whats the average?

Sorry, only just seen this.

The only way to get an average is to know the percentage. I got a refund of 28%. Which I was quite pleased with.

Barr

macshadow wrote: »

Here's another one for ya http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

Darn it was sold by the time I got to it - that looks like it would have been ideal. Right price and had a current engineer report

meercat

Barr wrote: »

Darn it was sold by the time I got to it - that looks like it would have been ideal. Right price and had a current engineer report

and you in cork too
great spot macshadow
something like this ,you gotta act quick
dont worry though ,a gem will come up every now and then

Barr

meercat wrote: »

and you in cork too
great spot macshadow
something like this ,you gotta act quick
dont worry though ,a gem will come up every now and then

Thats the most annoying part - it was really close as well. I'll just have to be faster next time

meercat

outside €2000 thoughbut you might get it for less
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2261930?cid=2261930&

mgbgt1978

There's this one,
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2552369

But he seems to be a bit ahead of things with his ZV reg;)

Barr

Good spot guys (the Ford is already gone) - the only thing is the lack of a DOE, which is a bit off putting, especially for a novice looking for a first buy.

the rambler

Irishgoatman wrote: »

Sorry, only just seen this.

The only way to get an average is to know the percentage. I got a refund of 28%. Which I was quite pleased with.

i just spotted this my self, (dont know why i didnt get the usual email notification)
i did the maths on my refund and guess what i got 28.odd% refund aswell,
it must be a thing they do just refund 28% and thats it,

i wonder if we appealed that decision where would that get us??:)
has anybody done that?

Irishgoatman

the rambler wrote: »

i just spotted this my self, (dont know why i didnt get the usual email notification)
i did the maths on my refund and guess what i got 28.odd% refund aswell,
it must be a thing they do just refund 28% and thats it,

i wonder if we appealed that decision where would that get us??:)
has anybody done that?

That could be good fun.

Keep appealing the appeal decision until they get fed up and make it zero perhaps?:D

meercat

posted this one earlier and it sold quick

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

its back up again(dont know if new owners found problems though)

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2638318

Barr

meercat wrote: »

posted this one earlier and it sold quick

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2541513

its back up again(dont know if new owners found problems though)

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2638318

This is my second time slow off the mark. Just saw this reply now, phoned the seller and the fooking van is already sold :mad:

spaceHopper

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/2615602

Barr

Seems good value but it only sleeps two so its out for me. Maybe the HYMER might make a third appearance on this thread if the new owner tries to flog it again:D

macshadow

OP, just in case you are still looking. Not under 2k but you never know.
www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/3128469

barryd09

Thinking of a circa €2000 van myself...

porterboy

My favourites. http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/news-and-events/news-by-email/tail-lights/tail-lights-march-2012/