Waiting List - What would you do?

RoboLB · Senior Member

Waiting List - What would you do?

Craig1 · Guru

If buying 2nd hand do a " dunkin " test/ inspection, as per NRMA latest magazine, ie check for a high tide mark.

-- Edited by Craig1 on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 02:00:41 PM

montie · Guru

RoboLB wrote:
Just rang re a KEA Nomad (sprinter)
'About' a 12 months waiting list.

Rob,

Late Model Nomad delivery....2 months max

New Nomad....Feb 2023

New Ultima....Late 2022

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

What worries me with all the rush ? Is how good in the thing put together ? Like most new model vehicles that come out !! The first batch often have their issues . I would keep my existing one if you have one ? Friends have sold theres . Waiting nearly two years for replacement! Originally told a few months !! Atleast keeping the one you have ? You have some control ? Now they are living with family member . Lucky they are twins !

Tony Bev · Guru

Usual disclaimer, that we are all different, we all have different situations, etc

But we all have one thing is common, and that is, time is always marching on

To answer this part of the question

The options I'm considering are these:

#1. Place an order and wait. If we go on any trips in the next 18 months we'll have to rent. At an all up cost of maybe $10-15k. (3-4 1 week trips)

#2. Buy something else second hand. It won't be the model (and permanent bed layout) we like as they are hard to find second hand, but maybe a Merc Sprinter model.

#3. Buy a second hand Sprinter now, and place an order on the Fiat. Use the 2nd hand campervan for 18 months+ and sell it when the new van is ready.

What would you do?

I personally would not be waiting, any longer than I had to, in the uncertain times, ahead of us

Wizardofoz · Guru

This is like a good novel, I'm getting hooked???

Please don't forget to write the final chapter ROBOLB, i can't wait for the ending.!!!! (lol)

-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Thursday 26th of May 2022 01:14:56 PM

-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Thursday 26th of May 2022 01:15:16 PM

RoboLB · Senior Member

It's been an interesting couple of months looking for a 2nd hand campervan.

As mentioned, we hoped to find one to use for 12-18 months whilst we wait for a new one.

We have looked at hundreds online. And about 50-60 in person.

Here are some observations, that may be of interest to others, or not.......

We thought about just buying a different brand. (prepared to lose the small deposit to get one faster) Waiting times on campervans has blown out on all brands that we have looked at. Seems it is due to a lack of computer chips. New Merc Sprinter now an 16-18 month wait from Jayco for example.
Used Campervans are a crazy price now as a result. Often an 8-10 year old campervan is the same price as a new one! Seems a bit like a money grab, but I suppose who can blame them. These tend to be what I'll call 'branded' factory conversions. Like Jayco, Avida, Avan etc. If you can even find them.
Custom Campervans upper price. Lots of these on the market. Often built on a Hiace or Sprinter. Some are very elaborate 'mini homes'. But most, seem to be too 'customised' so they probably don't appeal to a broader market. Lots of stuff like cooking, showering etc is done outside the van through the use of 'pull outs'. or they lack practical facilities totally. More like camping, but in a van. Some look great though.
Cheaper Custom Campervans. These are more the 'back packer' end of the market. Often a Hiace, VW or smaller Sprinter with a bed in the back and that's it. I think there are a few budding 'converters' out there also trying to capture the demand, with some fairly dodgy low quality conversions. A couple we have seen were really bad quality and it was not very clear at all if 'licenced' trades had done appropriate bits like the electrics and gas work. Those whilst cheaper, we judged as too high risk.

So at this point the plan is to wait for our new Campervan.

And in the meantime, we will hire one for a few short trips.

I'll keep an eye open for any good quality used Campervans that come up, but I think we'll limit that to 3 or 4 fairly well known local dealers only.

Better I think to pay a bit extra for 'some' peace of mind and a short warranty at least.

erad · Guru

RoboLB: One important thing to consider if buying a used vehicle is its service history. To me, a vehicle with 200000 km on it is not a big deal. This means that the vehicle has been used for long runs, so it would be thoroughly warmed up and operating as efficiently as possible. These vehicles are based on commercial vehicles so their basic design SHOULD be durable.

Great! BUT what about the service history? Regular oil changes of the engine and transmission are critical. Personally, I am suspicious of service books, but there is little else that you can go on to assess the history of the vehicle. Reputable hire companies MAY arrange regular services. If you are buying from a private buyer, you probably have a better chance of getting a well maintained vehicle. Which ever way you go, get a thorough inspection of the unit before you buy it because repairs are very expensive.

86GTS · Guru

The Mercedes Benz powered Kea motorhome that we hired for 3 weeks in late 2019 was a great unit.
Comfortable, economical & easy to drive.
We went from Broome to Darwin.
The unit had been "used & abused" a bit, broken TV aerial, plate in microwave gone, scratches & bumps around the body.
It was a low mileage unit with around 50,000kms on the clock from memory.
Picking it up at the Broome depot, there were a few identical units parked in the yard all looking a bit "tired", bumps on body, broken lights, bald tyres etc.
We looked at buying one but for the price & with very high mileage on them we decided not to.
A pity because they are excellent & we really enjoyed the motor home lifestyle.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Monday 25th of July 2022 10:54:03 AM

hufnpuf · Senior Member

RoboLB wrote:
I'll keep an eye open for any good quality used Campervans that come up,

Consider a "wanted to buy" ad. Some people have things (maybe including campervans) sitting about, but just can't be bothered listing it for sale and having to stay in for people who don't show up, the tyre-kickers who make ridiculous offers. etc. If they don't need the money right away, they defer putting it up for sale. You might find somebody that way.

montie · Guru

86GTS wrote:
The Mercedes Benz powered Kea motorhome that we hired for 3 weeks in late 2019 was a great unit.
Comfortable, economical & easy to drive.
We went from Broome to Darwin.
The unit had been "used & abused" a bit, broken TV aerial, plate in microwave gone, scratches & bumps around the body.
It was a low mileage unit with around 50,000kms on the clock from memory.
Picking it up at the Broome depot, there were a few identical units parked in the yard all looking a bit "tired", bumps on body, broken lights, bald tyres etc.
We looked at buying one but for the price & with very high mileage on them we decided not to.
A pity because they are excellent & we really enjoyed the motor home lifestyle.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Monday 25th of July 2022 10:54:03 AM

All ex hire Kea motorhomes and campervans are refurbished before being offered for sale and come with full service history and warranty.

86GTS · Guru

montie wrote:
86GTS wrote:
The Mercedes Benz powered Kea motorhome that we hired for 3 weeks in late 2019 was a great unit.
Comfortable, economical & easy to drive.
We went from Broome to Darwin.
The unit had been "used & abused" a bit, broken TV aerial, plate in microwave gone, scratches & bumps around the body.
It was a low mileage unit with around 50,000kms on the clock from memory.
Picking it up at the Broome depot, there were a few identical units parked in the yard all looking a bit "tired", bumps on body, broken lights, bald tyres etc.
We looked at buying one but for the price & with very high mileage on them we decided not to.
A pity because they are excellent & we really enjoyed the motor home lifestyle.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Monday 25th of July 2022 10:54:03 AM
All ex hire Kea motorhomes and campervans are refurbished before being offered for sale and come with full service history and warranty.

Thats definitely a plus factor.

The 200,000kms+ on the odometer & the price being asked put us off mostly.

The $130,000 that we were willing to pay would almost buy us a nice new caravan plus tug.

A no brainer really.

We decided to hold onto our current rig & keep the cash in our piggy bank.

Probably a good decision at the time because we think that in another 3 years we'll be hanging our boots up & going off road permanently.

15 years is enough for us. smile

RoboLB · Senior Member

Back to square one by the looks of things..........

Our 18 month wait, with delivery expected June 2023, is now September 2024. Maybe.........

Might buy a tent I think

Possum3 · Guru

RoboLB wrote:
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.

Go to Caravan Council of Australia website; Caravan Council of Australia and download for free all the technical and buyer's checklists - Their Chief Engineer (Colin Young) may be able to assist with thorough inspection.

RoboLB · Senior Member

I think before trawling around the 2nd hand market again, we might have a look at some campervan conversion companies.
Basically buy a new van, and have it 'professionally' converted.

No idea of the costs, but might be worth a look.

There seem to be a lot of campervan conversion companies.

Has anyone used one in Sydney, that was good?

Whenarewethere · Guru

Over the last few years (Covid) coming across people I spoke to, at least half a dozen people in my tiny suburb who were busy fitting out various ages of commercial vans for traveling around Australia.

I could see that all had done a lot of homework & knew pretty much how to precisely how to set up a campervan.

The tighter the budget, the better the result you come up with!

RoboLB · Senior Member

Whenarewethere wrote:
Over the last few years (Covid) coming across people I spoke to, at least half a dozen people in my tiny suburb who were busy fitting out various ages of commercial vans for traveling around Australia.

I could see that all had done a lot of homework & knew pretty much how to precisely how to set up a campervan.

The tighter the budget, the better the result you come up with!

Yes I think that's true in so many things isn't it?

All those 'nice to haves' can soon add up!

Not really being that good 'with my hands', hopefully I can find a good local 'converter'.

-- Edited by RoboLB on Sunday 16th of October 2022 12:17:44 PM

RoboLB · Senior Member

Just a heads up for anyone interested.

We had a few ball park quotes for fitting out a van. (I'm not a DIY type)
Can get a new 416 LWB High Roof now, for between 85-93.
Fitout 'starts' at 80. Likely 100++

So I think we'll rule that out.

Have found a couple of good 2nd hand vans, that we might buy.

That gives us the option of keeping the 2nd hand van and cancelling the new order, or just selling it and getting our new van when ready........

At least this way we get on road sooner rather than later.

Burt65 · Newbie

RoboLB wrote:
Fair point Neil.
Though most I am seeing are ex rentals, with 200k plus on the clock.
And these are $90k ish. Can get a new one for $125k !

Not sure why, but I see this often, where people are scare of vehicle with these kind of mileage... I used to drive for living and, I'm sorry but 200K is nothing! Just to give you an idea, my first Ford Transit (3rd owner) got me to 480K just with oil and filter change.. My second Ford transit got me to 730K with just oil filter new injector and new starter motor... Next door neighbour got several land cruiser and none of them has less than 300K and still going strong... A guy I used to meet at the pub has a crappy old Honda CRV that has, you guess it, 325K... My daughter drove a little Suzuki as first car for 260K, then sold it to one of her friend that still use it today... I could go on and on with a fleet of 160 vehicle that I use to manage, but I think, you get the drift... I don't know whom or when it started but it is pure bull****... Where does it say that a vehicle around 200K is not worth it anymore? Sure, there may be little wear and tear on the actual vehicle, but personally I think you could let the best of life pass you by, just because of the 200K pandemic...

RoboLB · Senior Member

Just bought a nearly new 2nd hand van.........on the road at last!

RoboLB · Senior Member

Burt65 wrote:
RoboLB wrote:
Fair point Neil.
Though most I am seeing are ex rentals, with 200k plus on the clock.
And these are $90k ish. Can get a new one for $125k !
Not sure why, but I see this often, where people are scare of vehicle with these kind of mileage... I used to drive for living and, I'm sorry but 200K is nothing! Just to give you an idea, my first Ford Transit (3rd owner) got me to 480K just with oil and filter change.. My second Ford transit got me to 730K with just oil filter new injector and new starter motor... Next door neighbour got several land cruiser and none of them has less than 300K and still going strong... A guy I used to meet at the pub has a crappy old Honda CRV that has, you guess it, 325K... My daughter drove a little Suzuki as first car for 260K, then sold it to one of her friend that still use it today... I could go on and on with a fleet of 160 vehicle that I use to manage, but I think, you get the drift... I don't know whom or when it started but it is pure bull****... Where does it say that a vehicle around 200K is not worth it anymore? Sure, there may be little wear and tear on the actual vehicle, but personally I think you could let the best of life pass you by, just because of the 200K pandemic...

I understand your point Burt.

I was merely pointing out that vans with 200k on the clock, ex rental, with lots of wear, are still $90-100k

hufnpuf · Senior Member

RoboLB wrote:
Just bought a nearly new 2nd hand van.........on the road at last!

What'd you get? (nosey, who, me?)

RoboLB · Senior Member

hufnpuf wrote:
RoboLB wrote:
Just bought a nearly new 2nd hand van.........on the road at last!
What'd you get? (nosey, who, me?)

The Sprinter in the profile photo.

Tony Bev · Guru

I consider the Mercedes Sprinter far superior than the Fiat

I have the 2006 Fiat in my Avatar, and it is still going, even though it is a (Fix It Again Tony) type of vehicle

I hope that you have many happy road trips, in your RV, RoboLB

And thanks for letting us all know, the outcome of your searching

RoboLB · Senior Member

Tony Bev wrote:
I consider the Mercedes Sprinter far superior than the Fiat

I have the 2006 Fiat in my Avatar, and it is still going, even though it is a (Fix It Again Tony) type of vehicle

I hope that you have many happy road trips, in your RV, RoboLB

And thanks for letting us all know, the outcome of your searching

Thanks Tony.

We gave it a run at the weekend. Sydney - Orange (overnight) - and back again.

Ran like a dream. Great vehicle and very comfortable. (only 3 months old and 7k on the clock)

If I had one issue, it's built for the rental market (to a budget).

But hey, we love it so far!

86GTS · Guru

Another fan of the Mercedes Benz power plant, smooth & not too thirsty.
Well done getting something you like.
Don't leave that flimsy awning out in windy weather, we've see a few go right over the top.
Maybe fit a decent roll out awning in the future.
Enjoy your travels & stay safe.

RoboLB · Senior Member

Had a run to KEA in Melbourne (from Sydney) last week, to replace rear side windows, with sliding windows (that have flyscreens)
Makes a huge difference to air flow!

RoboLB · Senior Member

Just realised I hadn't updated this thread, though I may have elsewhere.
In August 2022 we bought a second hand Kea Nomad 2+1. (see avatar - Mercedes)
Under 10,000 kms and less than 6 months old.
And.......saved a bit off the new price too.

Had quite a few trips in it and very happy with it......