If VW didn't make a campervan, which manufacturer do you think would make the best?

[Bramco]

Given some of the recent posts, thought it would be interesting to get everyone's views on who might make a better/worse/more interesting camper.

Given our first couple of cars were Alfas (GT Junior followed by an alfasud), I'd go for Alfa.

You'd get the quircky offset number plate so as not to mess up the styling. A grand throaty roar when you floor it. Nice bucket seats up front, Italian styling in the interior, no doubt with built in espresso machine.

Mind given my early experiences everyone would have granny Jens electrical problems and resale value would depend on the amount of body rot.

Any other ideas?

 

[Hotel California]

Thats a question only can be answerd by one who got other vehicles sortlike a Cali.
Think there are quite a few other manufactures so boubt if anyone owend or even experienced them all.
So for me useless question....
The debates are already going in many other topics , no use for yet another frustraded topic....
Cheers

The Cali is a great car to own...
No more no less....

 

[bvddobb]

We think for the -van part of our ideal campervan the 4Motion Multivan or Caravelle is still the best base vehicle for what we want (it gets you anywhere and drives and handles beautifully as a car).
But for the camper- part it doesn't need to be VW's own Cali. There are many outfitters out there who build beautiful campervans on the basis of VW vans.

Such a combi would also free one from the 'golden cage' of VW warranty on the camper part, always having to deal with VW dealers who understand the -van part, but nothing of the camper- part. For the -van part we would go to the VW commercial dealer, and for the camper- part to the outfitter, who would understand all that a lot better.

 

[sidepod]

Westfalia. Dont forget the Cali T5 is a Westy design. It's only made by VW after Merc bought Westy so VW took production back in house.

S.

 

[Bramco]

Sorry guys, I meant this not in a practical way. It was meant as a bit of fun.

I guess for you both from the Benelux region it might be Daf. Imagine being able to drive your camper backwards as fast as you can forwards!

I'll change the title if I can to make it clearer.

 

[pjm-84]

Volvo

 

[greenfintry]

Citroen... nice adjustable suspension, and did anyone see the concept update of the old CV van with the corrugated sides........ Cool!

 

[SimplyDubs]

If I went with head rather than heart (had too many VW's over the years)... It'd almost certainly be a Merc van and a Westy or independent convertor...

Not sure the T5's (either variant) are really upto the quality and driver experience of modern vans. Suspect the T6 won't be either as it's much of a much with the GP but time will tell.

T4's were leaders in terms of handling and performance in their day but are dated now. The T5's are not much different from the T4. (Actually I prefer the handling of the T4 Multivan)

Having driven Mercs... they are much more car like in handling and performance (In my opinion/experience... as that's all I can give)

There are several big convertors who now do innovative interiors that compare very favourably with the the Cali. (The interior of the Cali is a 2004 product after all)

The main thing the Cali has going for it in the UK (Other countries differ) is the 3 year warranty that also covers all the habitation elements. This was the practical fact that moved me towards the Cali in the first place.

The 2% by volume production of Cali over VW commercials worries me when it comes to service... as mentioned elsewhere I'd much prefer to deal with people who specialise in the habitation side and not just do it as a very small side line.

Heart however, aways wins over head with me... So VW, with it's flaws and issues

Rgds

Mark

 

[owen_h]

The best built with matching customer service & warranty vehicles I've owned have been Honda and Toyota so I would like to see them entering the market and shaking it up.
As for the interior habitation bits, how about some new ideas and construction methods from the marine industry? Their products have to fit in small spaces and survive a harsh environment.

 

[ArunAlec]

Has anyone considered the Ford Terrier by Wellhouse? They are now sold by Ford dealerships, so could be considered as "Fords own camper" I've been looking at Calis and comparing with Bilbos for some months and as much as I like the quality look of the Cali and all the clever technology I am put off by the potential running costs (when out of warranty). I had a look at the Ford and have to say it looks pretty good.

 

[Captainbeaky]

Base vehicle by either VW or Toyota for reliability.

Wouldn't touch Mercedes ever again for a commercial vehicle or a car. Their service was thoroughly appalling - they couldn't even give me the right oil for the transmission - if I had used the oil they wanted to sell me, I'd have buggered the transmission. The van went back to have one problem fixed under warranty and came back with three more faults, a dent
and a greasy handprint on the headlining. This increasingly disappointing spiral of work went on for 6 months, when my patience finally snapped, I listed the parts, they supplied them, and I sorted the van out myself.

Toyota service has been utterly brilliant, and the complete opposite - it's gone in for warranty work and come back spotlessly clean. One time they phoned to say that they had a problem and the car would be an hour late, and would this cause a problem, if so, a courtesy car is available ( I chose not to bother with a courtesy car, because I worked around the corner). Looking back, I've never repaired a broken Toyota - only ever carried out servicing and changing of wearable parts.

While there are many complaints about VW service, the two VW dealers I see ( Cheltenham and Bristol) have been very helpful indeed - especially in finding the right parts for the Cali roof when I fitted it to my t5.


Interior - difficult choice, there are some good outfitters - with crisp new designs like Three Bridges or more traditional like Wellhouse.

But on balance, I think the VW is the best base vehicle.

 

[Gasgas]

BMW would probably make a good job of it

 

[Captainbeaky]

I'm not quite so sure.

If BMW's performance at creating off road vehicles is anything to go by, the BMW camper would drive really nicely, would be fast, quiet, comfortable with great handling - a real drivers machine, but be rubbish at being a camper!

 

[GrannyJen]

Carlsberg ..

If carlsberg made campers ...

The roof might rot but who cares????

 

[Hotel California]

Sorry guys, I meant this not in a practical way. It was meant as a bit of fun.

I guess for you both from the Benelux region it might be Daf. Imagine being able to drive your camper backwards as fast as you can forwards!

I'll change the title if I can to make it clearer.

Ok , so your point is what if there was no Cali .....what car would you drive in?
Probally my Lr 90 Defender Td5 from 2005.
It had a Hannibal roof tent and campinggear in the back...

 

[GrannyJen]

I did all this before I joined this forum 2 years ago.

Wandered the planet looking at every base vehicle, every configuration, every conversion.

I settled for a Cali.

If I was to do it all over again I think I might end up buying a Cali.

In fact, given all my current problems, I can still say definitely it would be a Cali. Nothing else comes up to close scrutiny.

 

[SimplyDubs]

Ah... now I get the idea (Maybe...)

Ok, to be honest if it wasn't a flawed VW camper that I happen to love so much... the it'd likely be a T6 Multivan (heart over head again) and folding camper.

Multivan with kitchen pod (Similar to my T4) for those quick weekend, unplanned last minute breaks... folder for longer luxurious stays. (Ease of towing, pitching etc and NOT a caravan )

Seen the Opus in the flesh many times now over the past few years and it's absolutely stunning!!! (Forgive the dodgy Brazilian Bay in the photo )

Masses of space, easy (pramfold) pitching - probably less time than a pop-top with a roof cover, VERY well equipped...

Take a look at :-

http://www.opuscamper.co.uk/opus-interior.html

Rgds,

Mark

 

[motacyclist]

I think the title should have been "Which manufacturer would make the best California" and I agree with the earlier poster who said Toyota.

If Toyota set their mind to doing something they do it better than anyone. The sports cars to have in their their respective periods were Celica (had one), Supra, MR2. The best 4x4's - Landcruiser and Hilux (had one - the North Pole one), I've seen Landrovers with "Attach Toyota here" stickers on the front tow points! The first Lexus LS400 - I had one - it was a work of genius, better than a Merc, Rolls, Bentley, Jag of the time. The Hiace and it's offspring, Granvia etc. The Previa - groundbreaking at the time. But while always reliable they slip into blandness and obscurity, they don't capitalise on their brand marketing as BMW do with the Mini, VW with the Beetle and the California etc. Toyota are sitting on a treasure trove of branding, ignored and unused .... Brilliant dealers too ....

 

[TwentyOneThirtyFive]

The sensible answer is of course Westfalia, but I don't think my opinion here would be a surprise...

With my silly hat on I want a Lotus camper. Superb at making innovative and lightweight vehicles. And you can have a cup of tea while you are waiting for the AA.

I do actually lust after an old Landcruiser Troopy based camper, but they are silly amounts of money and rare over here.

 

[Bramco]

+1 GrannyJen. There I was watching tv last night zoned out during the ads, when a carlsberg add came on. If carlsberg did campervans....

Maybe we should suggest the theme to their marketing department.

Twntyonethirtyfive - love the idea of a Lotus van. I can see it now in the next bond film gracefully pulling onto the beach from a stormy sea. On the waiting for the AA front, that would also be BLMC...

 

[WelshGas]

Saw something like this converted to a camper, complete with side awning, the works. Awesome!

 

[SimplyDubs]

There's always the Saab option with the Toppola demountable

 

[SimplyDubs]

But I always genuinely had a hankering for a LR 101FC based camper...

 

[WelshGas]

I think I would want to reposition the Jerry cans to improve ground clearance!

 

[TwentyOneThirtyFive]

Is it time to mention Unimogs yet?

I fancy renting one and turning up on a CC site just for a giggle.