Any Caravelle owners?
Discussion
I've been looking for the last 2 months for a Transporter Kombi but they're either the opposite end of the country (difficult to justify the travel at minute) or the values of them are silly. Covid holiday plans are probably keeping values up.
Im after a van because I'm looking for something that can take bikes inside, with 2 kids and all holiday gear. I'm pulling a caravan with it (but I don't want to look like I should have an array of magnetic signage) i'd like the opportunity to keep the bikes in the back rather than chained to the back of the car or up to the side of the caravan when we are not there. Occasionally id use the bus to sleep in and take a bike for an overnighter.
Which brings me to the Caravelle. I've seen one at £30k for a 2016 on 50k. Lots of bells and whistles which pulls me in. I've looked at similar aged Kombis for about £3k less. I could probably buy a of car for similar money. I know the seats pull forward and I could probably take out the 2 swivel middle seats but just wondered if anyone else was running one as a daily, and whether they also used it as a utility vehicle or whether it was a bit too 'executive' for the purpose?
I'm aware I could just convert a panel van with a rail system but I was trying to stay factory fitted for peace of mind of travelling with kids.
Anyone using a Kombi in a similar fashion and seen a positive over owning the Caravelle?
Im after a van because I'm looking for something that can take bikes inside, with 2 kids and all holiday gear. I'm pulling a caravan with it (but I don't want to look like I should have an array of magnetic signage) i'd like the opportunity to keep the bikes in the back rather than chained to the back of the car or up to the side of the caravan when we are not there. Occasionally id use the bus to sleep in and take a bike for an overnighter.
Which brings me to the Caravelle. I've seen one at £30k for a 2016 on 50k. Lots of bells and whistles which pulls me in. I've looked at similar aged Kombis for about £3k less. I could probably buy a of car for similar money. I know the seats pull forward and I could probably take out the 2 swivel middle seats but just wondered if anyone else was running one as a daily, and whether they also used it as a utility vehicle or whether it was a bit too 'executive' for the purpose?
I'm aware I could just convert a panel van with a rail system but I was trying to stay factory fitted for peace of mind of travelling with kids.
Anyone using a Kombi in a similar fashion and seen a positive over owning the Caravelle?
I had a Caravelle.
It was amazing for weekend hobbies. We put 4 bikes on the back.
The interior is superior to kombis etc. Quiet, relaxed, comfortable and car speed limits apply.
You need one with the bench to enable the best bed option and then you will have to add a "parcel shelf" and mattress topper to sleep on. It's the same size as a king in this set up.
Obviously you need an awning too.
The irony is you will run it without the middle seats to give you all the room, but they are so comfy on long trips.
In honesty I enjoyed the "van life" however the camping was too cramped. For 2 people it would be acceptable but any more it's a struggle. Vans are crap cars which is what I used mine for 6 days a week.
Vans are thirsty.
I found it hard to sell on as most people are expecting a van and don't appreciate the upgrade to a Caravelle.
I've reverted to an estate with roof bars and intend to get the 6 man tent back out.
Jake
It was amazing for weekend hobbies. We put 4 bikes on the back.
The interior is superior to kombis etc. Quiet, relaxed, comfortable and car speed limits apply.
You need one with the bench to enable the best bed option and then you will have to add a "parcel shelf" and mattress topper to sleep on. It's the same size as a king in this set up.
Obviously you need an awning too.
The irony is you will run it without the middle seats to give you all the room, but they are so comfy on long trips.
In honesty I enjoyed the "van life" however the camping was too cramped. For 2 people it would be acceptable but any more it's a struggle. Vans are crap cars which is what I used mine for 6 days a week.
Vans are thirsty.
I found it hard to sell on as most people are expecting a van and don't appreciate the upgrade to a Caravelle.
I've reverted to an estate with roof bars and intend to get the 6 man tent back out.
Jake
I've had a caravelle executive for over 7 years now, coming up to 200k. Its got the six captains chairs inside rather than a bench.
Bloody brilliant. over 200bhp now from the 2.5l 5cyl engine, Kids love it, tows really well. Can remove individual seats easily, so two out on the same side, and I can slip a motorbike inside.
The only thing I can think of replacing it with is another one to be honest. But other than a slightly newer look, I'm not sure what benefit I'll actually get, interior (bar dash) is the same, engine will be smaller, and I won't know it as well!
Bloody brilliant. over 200bhp now from the 2.5l 5cyl engine, Kids love it, tows really well. Can remove individual seats easily, so two out on the same side, and I can slip a motorbike inside.
The only thing I can think of replacing it with is another one to be honest. But other than a slightly newer look, I'm not sure what benefit I'll actually get, interior (bar dash) is the same, engine will be smaller, and I won't know it as well!
jako1 said:
I had a Caravelle.
I found it hard to sell on as most people are expecting a van and don't appreciate the upgrade to a Caravelle.
I've reverted to an estate with roof bars and intend to get the 6 man tent back out.
Jake
Surprised you found it a hard sell, as Caravelles are usually in short supply and high demand. I found it hard to sell on as most people are expecting a van and don't appreciate the upgrade to a Caravelle.
I've reverted to an estate with roof bars and intend to get the 6 man tent back out.
Jake
I've had a variety of VW vans including a Multivan, Caravelle and Transporter Shuttle. OP is right about the Caravelle being a bit 'executive' compared to a Kombi, there's even a trim model called the Executive, which manages to hide the van origins well. It's what makes Caravelles so highly sought after, especially with the 'bed pack'.
I've always found prices to be too silly to take the plunge on newer Caravelles so I look for the Transporter Shuttle variant, which is quite utilitarian, but perfect for dealing with everyday life. You'd baulk at putting the garden waste in a Caravelle, but not a Shuttle!
They do drive like a car, but not a particularly good car - an estate would be a far better bet, but the lifestyle element is hard to resist as they're so good for gentle touring. I used my Shuttle with the rear seats out and a separate fold out bed and sofa called
Campal.
While I enjoyed our Transporter shuttle with the 174bhp 2.5 I'm not sure I'd buy another.
The engine was great, sounded interesting and combined strong performance with surprisingly reasonable economy. It was comfortable, reasonably refined and, being the LWB, could 9 + luggage or 6 + luggage and mountain bikes.
The downsides mainly related to the lack of build quality and reliability. There was a steady stream of minor issues ranging from the infuriating electric sliding doors falling off the runners to rust appearing and clunking suspension.
This was just about tolerable while it was under warranty but at 4 years old, with admittedly 100k on the clock, the engine siezed out of the blue. We ended up paying for a new factory engine and then about 30k miles later it needed a new gearbox. I remember adding up the repair bills for the 2 years we ran it out of warranty and it was over £15k!
It was used commercially but was well looked after and the e classes we run alongside were almost flawless.
The engine was great, sounded interesting and combined strong performance with surprisingly reasonable economy. It was comfortable, reasonably refined and, being the LWB, could 9 + luggage or 6 + luggage and mountain bikes.
The downsides mainly related to the lack of build quality and reliability. There was a steady stream of minor issues ranging from the infuriating electric sliding doors falling off the runners to rust appearing and clunking suspension.
This was just about tolerable while it was under warranty but at 4 years old, with admittedly 100k on the clock, the engine siezed out of the blue. We ended up paying for a new factory engine and then about 30k miles later it needed a new gearbox. I remember adding up the repair bills for the 2 years we ran it out of warranty and it was over £15k!
It was used commercially but was well looked after and the e classes we run alongside were almost flawless.
Chicken Chaser said:
troika said:
Why not buy a California Beach?
The price. Way out of my range. I only need it for transport and lugging, the sleeping arrangements will be in the caravan for the family. I may occasionally use it for overnighters (probably less than half a dozen a year). Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff