Ordered a Knaus Boxdrive 600 at the show on Wednesday, we got it for around 10K less than we had anticipated, was offered a great prive on a Laika Ecovip too, but the Knaus beat in with the clean flex toilet and for a much better price than we thought we were in for!
@@CampervanTime Thank you! When we were there, we had the Sven on our list because of you too! But the Knaus had been our number one for a while, as it has a huge storage space with the uppy downy bed in the back. Thought it was going to cost us a little bit more than 90K, but nearly bit the guys hand off when it came in under 80K Will need to spend a small fortune on a Victron battery/solar upgrade after market, but that is coming in less than expected too!
Hi guys, we enjoyed your reviews and agree with the lower prices you have highlighted this year. We were there Tuesday and had a great day trying to spend a lot of money!! I was the guy that interrupted you and Steve and gave you the title of "a thicket of you tubers" and to be honest its so great that there are people like you and Steve who give us an unbiased opinion on the vans we love. Take care Andy & Lyn.
I spoke to a couple of manufacturers who said they were trying to reduce the price point as much as possible to make an affordable model for people. It’s tough though when the starting price of the base vehicle is so high. Another great video 👍🏼
I agree (unscientifically) that costs have dropped. Last year the entry level for a standard side kitchen VW seemed to be about £75k. There were a lot under at high £60k's this time. I was looking for a Sven Hedin / 6m van with rear bed / similar layout. Saw a number of 6m vans as a SH layout but at the low £60k. Obviously not as nice as the premium vans you featured but £30k buys a lot of holidays :).
Our first ever show today. We bought a base van second hand 3 years ago, having never slept in a van/nor hired one. All research online. We converted it to our own design. We came away today still very happy with our van. 5 year old 11k miles when bought it and it cost us a third overall of the cheapest (not counting the value of our labour). Huge amounts of inspiration and possible future mods though.
I think dealer prices have definitely fallen:trouble is we bought our van in March (2024) before that correction kicked in! No doubt the proverbial particular chicken will come home to roost when we come to change-timing is everything.
It’s crazy most are over 100k we had Californias from 2008 and in all honesty up until the new one this year they are pretty much the same van apart from a 30k increase in price. I understand it’s the sign of the times but these vans are crazy money today
I was at the show on Thursday and kind of agree the prices seemed to have stabilised if not dramatically fallen! There are still some good value Ducato based vans (AutoTrail Expedition, Rimor, Rolller Team Wellington etc) all starting in the mid £50k bracket which seems pretty reasonable. I was surprised at some of the slightly more quality conversions too…a really nicely equipped Dreamer pop top for £68k. The Adrias/Hymers/Westfalias still appear quite expensive though…starting around the late £80k mark. Biggest surprise was the Eriba Car which starts at £71k (although the show models began around £80K with options). I have already been enquiring about one for next year so wish me luck! Great video as usual guys and keep up the good work 👍
I went on tuesday to see if I could get some inspiration for future builds. I missed so many conversions that I would have liked to look at.....almost to the point that I considered going back up on another day😂😂...So really glad you have a couple of videos covering the bigger vans, so I can catch up on what I missed from the relative comfort of a desk😉. As for prices, unfortunately from a small converters point of view, the van prices and the parts prices have stabilised, but certainly not gone down. It may be that some of the bigger guys have had to commit to bigger quantities to get a better price, but with the market as bit 'twitchy' they could be trying to get shot of stock they have committed too. Gone are the days when a nice spec base van is £25-35k unfortunately. cheers Ed
Quite possibly, although the Tuesday was busier than it was a year ago - maybe more club members are going to the show because of discounts? Who knows!
Really enjoyed your show review. We went on Saturday, had a great time. Highlight for us was the Eriba Car 600, are you going to do a full review of one?
It's the layout +4x4 for me I don't like the high beds ....on my sketch I have the shower and cooker in the back separate the condensation from the living sleeping quarter I haven't worked out pricing yet but I reckon I would save a packet and half of money if I use my hand and tools
It seems that many of the automatic MAN TGE base vehicles are now being spec’d with the 8 speed 163HP single turbo (Heavy Duty) engine, whereas the 177HP Bi-turbo is classed as Light Duty. I’m not sure what the mechanical differences are, other than the turbo, but it makes sense to use the HD engine as campers are near maximum weight all the time compared to a standard panel van which is not always fully loaded.
Some have gone up £10 grand in six months. They are between 30-60% up in price in two years. It is ridiculous and we have reached the top of the S curve and now down the other side we go. Loved the show hated the bonkers pricing. This will push people to caravans. 😊
That's if you can still find caravans in a year or two - there were many fewer at the show than previous years. So many manufacturers now focussing on vans / motorhomes instead for their sales targets it looks like
Did you spot the very subtle reference to a Sven 'Classic'? The information board outside the Sven on the Westfalia stand was actually describing a 'Classic' version. The salesperson on the stand knew nothing about it until I pointed it out. They're not even on the Westfalia website, but Scott at Wandahome had heard about them. Apparently they're a more basic spec with 140hp, manual box and a pared down spec in other areas, but he couldn't tell me the precise differences or the price bracket. Although they're not on the Campersales website either, the current model is now described there as the 'Premium'. There's obviously a concern that the current prices are pushing people out of the market and there's a gap for a more basic, but more sensibly price option.
It’s a supply and demand mismatch. The balance has moved significantly in favour of the purchasers. From adverts I am seeing a c £10k discount on a £90k van which will filter straight through the price bands. Dealers have huge stocks and need to sell, used prices will soften its all part of the cycle and probably long overdue. I am also getting main dealer base van adverts through with significant discounts, £8.5k off pre reg T6.1’s. Where converters have paid top prices for base vans they are going to suffer most.
love your honest and in depth reviews on most things! The one thing the world of sales doesn't adhere to is a woman's point of view which is normally just common sense and influences me in my choice! Thanks to both of you the vod as the vod before this was the best constructive vod from the motorhome show !! keep up the good work ! and keep being honest and don't sell out a vod for the money and drama! keep it honest as always ! love you both! As Bruce said " your my favourites " lol
Ordered a Knaus Boxdrive 600 at the show on Wednesday, we got it for around 10K less than we had anticipated, was offered a great prive on a Laika Ecovip too, but the Knaus beat in with the clean flex toilet and for a much better price than we thought we were in for!
That’s fantastic, well done! Love the BoxDrives, very very nice
@@CampervanTime Thank you! When we were there, we had the Sven on our list because of you too! But the Knaus had been our number one for a while, as it has a huge storage space with the uppy downy bed in the back. Thought it was going to cost us a little bit more than 90K, but nearly bit the guys hand off when it came in under 80K Will need to spend a small fortune on a Victron battery/solar upgrade after market, but that is coming in less than expected too!
Btw we got our Sven in 21 and you definitely have good taste in vans hope you’re enjoying your van
Hi guys, we enjoyed your reviews and agree with the lower prices you have highlighted this year. We were there Tuesday and had a great day trying to spend a lot of money!! I was the guy that interrupted you and Steve and gave you the title of "a thicket of you tubers" and to be honest its so great that there are people like you and Steve who give us an unbiased opinion on the vans we love. Take care Andy & Lyn.
Lovely to have bumped in to you!
I spoke to a couple of manufacturers who said they were trying to reduce the price point as much as possible to make an affordable model for people. It’s tough though when the starting price of the base vehicle is so high.
Another great video 👍🏼
I’ve had an offer through from a National main dealer offering c £8.5k off pre reg base T6.1’s, lots and lots to choose from.
I agree (unscientifically) that costs have dropped.
Last year the entry level for a standard side kitchen VW seemed to be about £75k. There were a lot under at high £60k's this time.
I was looking for a Sven Hedin / 6m van with rear bed / similar layout. Saw a number of 6m vans as a SH layout but at the low £60k. Obviously not as nice as the premium vans you featured but £30k buys a lot of holidays :).
It sure does!!
Our first ever show today. We bought a base van second hand 3 years ago, having never slept in a van/nor hired one. All research online. We converted it to our own design. We came away today still very happy with our van. 5 year old 11k miles when bought it and it cost us a third overall of the cheapest (not counting the value of our labour). Huge amounts of inspiration and possible future mods though.
We crept in your last video. Didn’t want to trouble you as you were filming. Good couple of videos. 👍
No worries, hope you had a great show
I think dealer prices have definitely fallen:trouble is we bought our van in March (2024) before that correction kicked in! No doubt the proverbial particular chicken will come home to roost when we come to change-timing is everything.
It’s crazy most are over 100k we had Californias from 2008 and in all honesty up until the new one this year they are pretty much the same van apart from a 30k increase in price.
I understand it’s the sign of the times but these vans are crazy money today
Mmm, Transit or Bailey for around the same money?. I think the Bailey for me wins.
I wish you showed the Tourne vans.
I was shocked by the price of the pop-up campsite 😢
Yes that is always very expensive and when I looked at it last year was basically on dirty scrub land, which would have made our van filthy too!
Visited NEC on Thursday prices are still high in my opinion though Devon Conversions offer value and are well made.
I was at the show on Thursday and kind of agree the prices seemed to have stabilised if not dramatically fallen! There are still some good value Ducato based vans (AutoTrail Expedition, Rimor, Rolller Team Wellington etc) all starting in the mid £50k bracket which seems pretty reasonable. I was surprised at some of the slightly more quality conversions too…a really nicely equipped Dreamer pop top for £68k. The Adrias/Hymers/Westfalias still appear quite expensive though…starting around the late £80k mark. Biggest surprise was the Eriba Car which starts at £71k (although the show models began around £80K with options). I have already been enquiring about one for next year so wish me luck!
Great video as usual guys and keep up the good work 👍
I went on tuesday to see if I could get some inspiration for future builds. I missed so many conversions that I would have liked to look at.....almost to the point that I considered going back up on another day😂😂...So really glad you have a couple of videos covering the bigger vans, so I can catch up on what I missed from the relative comfort of a desk😉.
As for prices, unfortunately from a small converters point of view, the van prices and the parts prices have stabilised, but certainly not gone down. It may be that some of the bigger guys have had to commit to bigger quantities to get a better price, but with the market as bit 'twitchy' they could be trying to get shot of stock they have committed too. Gone are the days when a nice spec base van is £25-35k unfortunately.
cheers Ed
Great insight, thank you
First time in a long time tickets had not sold out. I went on a Thursday and it was very quiet. It is a telling story.
Quite possibly, although the Tuesday was busier than it was a year ago - maybe more club members are going to the show because of discounts? Who knows!
Really enjoyed your show review. We went on Saturday, had a great time. Highlight for us was the Eriba Car 600, are you going to do a full review of one?
We'll try - I suspect they will be in very short supply !
It's the layout +4x4 for me I don't like the high beds ....on my sketch I have the shower and cooker in the back separate the condensation from the living sleeping quarter I haven't worked out pricing yet but I reckon I would save a packet and half of money if I use my hand and tools
I'm sure you will!!
It seems that many of the automatic MAN TGE base vehicles are now being spec’d with the 8 speed 163HP single turbo (Heavy Duty) engine, whereas the 177HP Bi-turbo is classed as Light Duty. I’m not sure what the mechanical differences are, other than the turbo, but it makes sense to use the HD engine as campers are near maximum weight all the time compared to a standard panel van which is not always fully loaded.
Yes we've noticed that too. I wondered if it was for emissions reasons and the bi-turbo being less available somehow? Need to do some digging.
We're just back. The Endeavour 64 is the one for us
Some have gone up £10 grand in six months.
They are between 30-60% up in price in two years. It is ridiculous and we have reached the top of the S curve and now down the other side we go.
Loved the show hated the bonkers pricing. This will push people to caravans. 😊
That's if you can still find caravans in a year or two - there were many fewer at the show than previous years. So many manufacturers now focussing on vans / motorhomes instead for their sales targets it looks like
Prices are stabilized but will never go down.
Did you spot the very subtle reference to a Sven 'Classic'? The information board outside the Sven on the Westfalia stand was actually describing a 'Classic' version. The salesperson on the stand knew nothing about it until I pointed it out. They're not even on the Westfalia website, but Scott at Wandahome had heard about them. Apparently they're a more basic spec with 140hp, manual box and a pared down spec in other areas, but he couldn't tell me the precise differences or the price bracket. Although they're not on the Campersales website either, the current model is now described there as the 'Premium'.
There's obviously a concern that the current prices are pushing people out of the market and there's a gap for a more basic, but more sensibly price option.
It’s a supply and demand mismatch. The balance has moved significantly in favour of the purchasers. From adverts I am seeing a c £10k discount on a £90k van which will filter straight through the price bands. Dealers have huge stocks and need to sell, used prices will soften its all part of the cycle and probably long overdue. I am also getting main dealer base van adverts through with significant discounts, £8.5k off pre reg T6.1’s. Where converters have paid top prices for base vans they are going to suffer most.
Was the new Citroën holidays camper van there, i couldn't find information
We didn't see them there, but the show was so big we might have missed them of course?
love your honest and in depth reviews on most things! The one thing the world of sales doesn't adhere to is a woman's point of view which is normally just common sense and influences me in my choice! Thanks to both of you the vod as the vod before this was the best constructive vod from the motorhome show !! keep up the good work ! and keep being honest and don't sell out a vod for the money and drama! keep it honest as always ! love you both! As Bruce said " your my favourites " lol
Not for unique/quality or anything on a unobtanium (slightly better for 2025) Sprinter AWB platform.