I'll throw another idea in there. As you say you are looking at 3 or 4 one week holidays during the waiting time for the new motorhome you want, would you consider holidays in your car and staying in cabins or motels or apartments for those few weeks. It could work out a lot cheaper than renting a motorhome each time. Just a thought. Cheers.

I'd be buying second hand Rob, a few years old with all the bugs sorted out.

Waiting 18 months, paying top dollar, plus on-road costs then the usual minor things need fixing, where you could be out there sleeping under the stars in a month's time with some cash in your pocket.

In a couple of years time, the novelty might wear off or the dreaded health problems might occur and you will have a new van partly used.

Go for it. 

Cheers Bob

I'd buy secondhand and learn to love it.  Unless there's something seriously deficient, if it's along the lines of what you really like (size, facilities) you'll get used to it.  If you still want the model you've picked out, even though they don't come up often, one may still come up and you can get it later and sell what you get now (assuming you can afford to do that).

I decided to buy a caravan when covid came along.  The touristy places lost their income from overseas and interstate travellers when the border closed and I figured I could go somewhere and they could at least have my money.  I found my little van on gumtree.  I loved it.  One day, I just wondered what was out there with a bathroom, that was the only thing my little van didn't have, and found my new van just by happenstance.  I probably paid too much (covid again) but I wanted something now so I grabbed it.  Even though it has more things than my little van, there are things that are not as good, like storage space in the poptop, I could put things up along the top cupboards when the lid was up.  It really doesn't matter, I'll sort it out and adjust.

In 18 months, the prices might have come back down.  They are high because covid has driven demand.  If demand drops and supply goes up, you may be paying today's prices instead of tomorrow's.....

Another thing is that you'll use the motorhome to go places.  Mine is my "bedroom", I go off out during the day looking at scenery.  It's not as if you'll be in there staring at the layout all the time.  As long as it's functional, it'll work for you.  I'd grab something and hit the road.

Mike Harding wrote:

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I'd say it's purely down to cash; it you have the money available buy secondhand, take comp. insurance, and resell after 18 months. You may even make a profit! :) But you won't lose much.

As you say/imply life is too short these days to mess around.

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 Thanks for your input Mike.  

hufnpuf wrote:

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I'd buy secondhand and learn to love it.  Unless there's something seriously deficient, if it's along the lines of what you really like (size, facilities) you'll get used to it.  If you still want the model you've picked out, even though they don't come up often, one may still come up and you can get it later and sell what you get now (assuming you can afford to do that).

I decided to buy a caravan when covid came along.  The touristy places lost their income from overseas and interstate travellers when the border closed and I figured I could go somewhere and they could at least have my money.  I found my little van on gumtree.  I loved it.  One day, I just wondered what was out there with a bathroom, that was the only thing my little van didn't have, and found my new van just by happenstance.  I probably paid too much (covid again) but I wanted something now so I grabbed it.  Even though it has more things than my little van, there are things that are not as good, like storage space in the poptop, I could put things up along the top cupboards when the lid was up.  It really doesn't matter, I'll sort it out and adjust.

In 18 months, the prices might have come back down.  They are high because covid has driven demand.  If demand drops and supply goes up, you may be paying today's prices instead of tomorrow's.....

Another thing is that you'll use the motorhome to go places.  Mine is my "bedroom", I go off out during the day looking at scenery.  It's not as if you'll be in there staring at the layout all the time.  As long as it's functional, it'll work for you.  I'd grab something and hit the road.

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I think this is likely where I'm headed.

Thanks for the input.

 

 

Is there such a thing as a Buyer's agent for Campervans?
I was planning on getting an NRMA inspection, but it would be great to have someone actively seeking out a van for us.

Just because its new doesnt mean it wont have problems ! Imo
Second hand . With good service, belts , nose replacement ! The little things that make big things fail !! Lifes too short !!

hufnpuf wrote:

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You could let a dealer or dealers know what you are after.  They won't be acting for you, but if they get something in, they'll want to sell it so they will let you know. 

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Good point !

I know you don't have a motorhome yet but what about joining the CMCA. Get their magazine (The Wanderer) either on line or in print. They have a bit at the back with motorhomes and caravans for sale. There's not a lot, but in the May addition there was two Ducato's for sale in NSW. One had 69,000km on the clock and the other was an Avan with 24,225kms on the clock. The first one, a Sunliner was priced at $134,990 and the Avan at $120,000. I know nothing of these two motorhomes or their owners but just checked the magazine and read the ads. If nothing else, membership isn't all that expensive and the magazine might give you some ideas of places to visit on your trips.

Cheers.

 

PS:  There was also a "Wanted" advert.

-- Edited by Gaylehere on Monday 23rd of May 2022 09:51:19 PM

Gaylehere wrote:

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I know you don't have a motorhome yet but what about joining the CMCA. Get their magazine (The Wanderer) either on line or in print. They have a bit at the back with motorhomes and caravans for sale. There's not a lot, but in the May addition there was two Ducato's for sale in NSW. One had 69,000km on the clock and the other was an Avan with 24,225kms on the clock. The first one, a Sunliner was priced at $134,990 and the Avan at $120,000. I know nothing of these two motorhomes or their owners but just checked the magazine and read the ads. If nothing else, membership isn't all that expensive and the magazine might give you some ideas of places to visit on your trips.

Cheers.

 

PS:  There was also a "Wanted" advert.

-- Edited by Gaylehere on Monday 23rd of May 2022 09:51:19 PM

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Not a bad idea, I'll take a look. Thanks

Gaylehere wrote:

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I know you don't have a motorhome yet but what about joining the CMCA. Get their magazine (The Wanderer) either on line or in print. They have a bit at the back with motorhomes and caravans for sale. There's not a lot, but in the May addition there was two Ducato's for sale in NSW. One had 69,000km on the clock and the other was an Avan with 24,225kms on the clock. The first one, a Sunliner was priced at $134,990 and the Avan at $120,000. I know nothing of these two motorhomes or their owners but just checked the magazine and read the ads. If nothing else, membership isn't all that expensive and the magazine might give you some ideas of places to visit on your trips.

Cheers.

 

PS:  There was also a "Wanted" advert.

-- Edited by Gaylehere on Monday 23rd of May 2022 09:51:19 PM

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Just had a look.   The Avan is 4 years old, (low kms though) and $120k as you say.

A new Avan is $128k

Amazing how 2nd hand prices are...

RoboLB wrote:

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Gaylehere wrote:

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I know you don't have a motorhome yet but what about joining the CMCA. Get their magazine (The Wanderer) either on line or in print. They have a bit at the back with motorhomes and caravans for sale. There's not a lot, but in the May addition there was two Ducato's for sale in NSW. One had 69,000km on the clock and the other was an Avan with 24,225kms on the clock. The first one, a Sunliner was priced at $134,990 and the Avan at $120,000. I know nothing of these two motorhomes or their owners but just checked the magazine and read the ads. If nothing else, membership isn't all that expensive and the magazine might give you some ideas of places to visit on your trips.

Cheers.

 

PS:  There was also a "Wanted" advert.

-- Edited by Gaylehere on Monday 23rd of May 2022 09:51:19 PM

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Just had a look.   The Avan is 4 years old, (low kms though) and $120k as you say.

A new Avan is $128k

Amazing how 2nd hand prices are...

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 New Price is meaningless if they cannot supply a new one now.  Only option is a "Used" one. No sense in wasting time ......you can still change later when things "settle down" if you need to. . Life is too short to put things off.........KB

hufnpuf wrote:

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RoboLB wrote:

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Amazing how 2nd hand prices are...

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 I was wasting time one day and dropped in to the toyota place to look about and see what the new hybrid Kluger costs.  The sales guy said there was a wait of "something" (I can't remember, not a short period, 6 mths/a year? something, you couldn't just plonk down your money and drive off in one).  He also told me that if you could find one secondhand, they were going for more than the new ones (because there was no wait to have it).  High demand, low supply does crazy things to prices.

My advice is to browse everything.  Something other than what you would like might pop out at you as a short(er) term option.  A nice little older caravan or a smaller campervan or something you could get going with while you wait for your motorhome.  One advantage with caravans is that they don't have stamp duty (here in WA at least) whereas you'll be paying a motza on top of the price of a motorhome because they are not exempt.

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Always an option of course.   Though we are not 'static' road warriors.

We typically spend most of the day on the road sightseeing and just pull in late afternoon to 'camp'

Campervans just seem more convenient for that.

If we were staying put for a few nights in the same place, I totally get the benefits of a caravan.

 

86GTS wrote:

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I wouldn't be waiting around & wouldn't be so precious about layouts.
The Mercedes powered motorhomes leave the rest for dead.

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 Good advice in "triple..."!