Well, I assumed that if someone starts a topic, reactions will follow and they can go in different directions. All reactions were also friendly. Mentioning the manual versus electro-hydraulic roof + looking for a reason for this very bizarre affair (getting a phone call asking if you want to buy an ocean that happens to be with them and want to trade in your own coast. Never heard of) didn't sound that awkward; to me anyway.
The birarreness of that phonecall makes me now suspect, if I thing further on, that the OP must have mentioned before at the dealer that he actually wants an ocean but bought wrong to begin with, can happen. But if so, was better mentionded in the start of this topic. This aside but could have been important for the further course of this topic but it is what it is now. And off course, I could be wrong about it and it just could be one of the most bizarre phonecalls one can get from his dealer.
But let's move on: someone also mentions that the coast is a 'a low spec van', well for me and others this is his strength: put together à la carte your cali and then don't have to take that electro-hydraulic roof... Super! And there are many candidates for that (certainly when no more available new) and maybe even the reason for the phone call...
I don't understand that there are people here who comment about the fact that I mention that the dealer makes twice a profit: it's just mentioning and mainly trying to explain why such a call was made. A car dealer simply makes a profit and preferably several times on the same vehicle. This is not a reproach to anyone. I've only heard a few meaningful explanations here, but a lot of 'who cares'. It remains a bizarre story and apparently nobody cares about the why. OK. I could have saved a lot of time by not responding and trying to think along in English.
Anyway, if you give valid explanations, this is seen by others as irrelevant. That the OP does what he wants,
he is happy and that counts but if he post his doubt (about his sanity
), there will be responses; nobody has to think the same but now I notice that just wiping everything off the table is the norm at this topic as a conclusion. Regrettably. Was there too much complaining about the electro-hydraulic roof by coast enthusiasts? Now and before in other topics? I do not know and for me each must buy what he can and wants. If I wasn't who I am, I might have also opted for an electro-hydraulic roof (and then of course bought an ocean because choosing an electro-hydraulic roof on a coast, that would be a bit ****
fill in yourself). Or if I wanted to hear every time that hum from the roof and the look of it going up and down automatically, I bought an ocean. Unfortunately I find the buzzing annoying and would not like the roof to stop going up or down half way through or simply not wanting to open or close. This would ruin our holiday and I want to rule this out as a possibility.
Besides: I had to wait 20 months for the right coast te be delivered and had plenty of time to search around and amongst other things (looking for accessoires) I compared the price difference between a coast and ocean in Belgium, UK, the Netherlands, Germany and France (and a Scandinavian country but I forgot which one). Firstly, I noticed that there are few differences from basic equipment, unless in the UK (more standard with both coast and ocean). I also noticed the difference in engines offered at the coast and the 4motion not being available. This is not really applicable to justify the choice of a coast, because, I think, then you just buy an ocean. I am talking about the choise for a coast, the desirability if you want of the coast and then I think the roof makes a huge diference. Even trying to search for an answer why the dealer wants the OPs coast
What was I thinking?
In a fair comparison, the price difference between a well-equipped coast (like ours; we have 13,000 euro options) and an ocean was still significant (more than 7,000 euro) and not silly as mentioned in a comment. But hey, maybe I was just being silly: putting together a California à la carte without that electro-hydraulic roof that I didn't want. I thought it was a much better offer (and I'm not only talking pricewice) than buying an ocean,
but everyone has to decide that for themselves. In any case, the coast certainly had a right to exist and in the future it may well be an enviable version.
Why it is no longer offered may have to do with a reduction in the offer, but perhaps also - and this is purely my idea about this - that it sold a lot better than the ocean but made less money for Volkswagen. Logical, I think: many coasts are completely different vehicles and most oceans are quite similar because fully equipped.
But this is quite a different story and yet in the end it could also will fade into insignificance.
And I'm not posting this here to know better: I actually learned more about the California here than I ever knew about it. And every time there is more and more knowledge comming from the members, this is something beautiful that I like to be a part of. I only think that the reactions are now besides the issue and especially next to what the OP wrote in his posts and: "Any opinions greatly appreciated", so mine also I thought, but many people think otherwise. Silly me. But having an opinion is ok and comments are allowed. As long as everything remains polite with respect for each other's opinion.
Many will not be satisfied with my -long- response, but I remain polite, respect everyone's opinion on this and may also express my opinion, am I not?
Have a nice Sunday Evening.
Greetings
Calibusje