How long do owners keep their Calis for ?

[Wallaces Travels]

I'm not sure if this been discussed before (I did try searching), but I notice that quite a few low-age Calis advertised for sale seem to have a few previous owners.

Is it that people buy a Cali as a first camper and then change their minds about using them as campers ? I also notice similar high previous owners with Motorhomes as well.

Has anyone else noted this ?

 

[andyinluton]

There's quite a lot of vans pre-registered by dealers either as demonstrators or taken from VW as part of an incentive.

Then you add in the hire fleets, some of which only run some vans for one season.

Add to that the snowflakes that find camping in a van isn't as much fun as the brochures show.....

Then probably a few " I wish we had gone for this or that option" who upgrade when they find that their van is worth more than they paid for it.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I also think this is a legacy from Covid, people spent silly money buying RV's, sometimes at premium price. This was because we couldn't travel abroad and lockdown was still firmly in the mind. I think a lot of the sales are these sort of impulse buys where people realise they'd rather go abroad instead!

I may well be one of those snowflakes (hope not tho'!) I've ordered a new Cali but I'm of the opinion that if it's not for me I'll sell at only a small loss due to the amazing residuals.....

 

[BeeBee]

Agree with both previous comments. We’ve had our Ocean just over 4 years now and had two recent calls from dealerships asking if we want to renew !
We however fall into the ‘camp’ of ‘Love it and keeping it ‘ until maybe in some distant time an Electric Camper appears, if ever !

 

[DevillBelgium]

Agree with both previous comments. We’ve had our Ocean just over 4 years now and had two recent calls from dealerships asking if we want to renew !
We however fall into the ‘camp’ of ‘Love it and keeping it ‘ until maybe in some distant time an Electric Camper appears, if ever !

The part of an Electric Camper still hasen’t been sold on me. Nor anny orher Electric car. But that is an conversation not to be held here.

I however am still in the market of a Petrol/Diesel one. With the Gas in. However I am sold fir the solar on the roof and change the Gas hob for induction.

 

[hirsty]

I'd be interested in a (non-existent) mapping of California purchases vs 25% pension drawdowns for a pet theory around EV scepticism ...

In reality I believe there's a large group of retirees who can afford to upgrade regularly & another set who are stretching to make monthly payments, both of whom are well tuned into market swings.

 

[jeannie]

Had my first cali for 13 years and would not have sold it had I not injured my hip, changing to a DSG. But then broke my back and sold that within a year as it’s too much money to be sitting on the drive while I wait to heal!

 

[leejolleycamper]

The part of an Electric Camper still hasen’t been sold on me. Nor anny orher Electric car. But that is an conversation not to be held here.

I however am still in the market of a Petrol/Diesel one. With the Gas in. However I am sold fir the solar on the roof and change the Gas hob for induction.

I had the same thought process and have put an EcoFlow in the boot which can be charged from thr 12v socket, run an extension lead through to the front where you can then use a remoska for cooking

 

[Bulli Ocean 1]

We had our Cali for over 3yrs and was a purchase that we fully researched before buying. We had it from 2019 to Oct 2022, travelled all across the UK during Covid and enjoyed a month long holiday to the Pyrenees & Picos in North Spain in May 2022. Lots of lovely memories and a fantastic home on wheels. We sold our Cali and bought a Hymer Free 600 S as we realised that we wanted a few more home comforts when travelling, especially on extended trips. This year we spent 2 months (May & June) travelling through Central Europe (Alps region) and made lifelong memories. It’s all about the journey, memories and adventure for us and whether the Cali fits your needs or not.

 

[Taglish1]

We've had Taglish since 2015 and are still love the Cali lifestyle; also invested in a Ecoflow with solar and after 8 years looking to go for a RP rebellion. Its a 2 yr. wait list so by the time we sell we'll have a much loved 10 year cali for sale.

 

[SpuffingtonMe]

I had one for 15months. Was a bit of a test.

Having always had motorhomes and having sold our last one, it was a test to see if the Cali could do the job of second car & camping we wanted.

For us, it did neither well enough and therefore decided the camping bit was more important than the second car bit and decided to upscale (slightly) to make camping more enjoyable.

The BoxDrive is still used as the second car when needed and more easily able to forgive it any issue (like the very rare occasion it can’t be taken to a multi story) given it overly rewards on the other side of the equation. I find it better to drive strangely enough too.

But for every one like me who swaps out quickly, there are loads of people who keep them for years, I’ve seen.

Different strokes for different folks. Wouldn’t call myself a snowflake though…

 

[andrew bazeley]

I'm not sure if this been discussed before (I did try searching), but I notice that quite a few low-age Calis advertised for sale seem to have a few previous owners.

Is it that people buy a Cali as a first camper and then change their minds about using them as campers ? I also notice similar high previous owners with Motorhomes as well.

Has anyone else noted this ?

Interesting. My own experience kind of offers a theory, and that is how often you go camping, and therefore increasing requirements and standards. I'm afraid we under-use. We bought our Cali new in 2008, as a crazy whim (we were tent campers) and were delighted! But we only went away in it somewhere in the UK about three times a year, and it was always therefore a real rare treat (and a luxury, compared to a tent!). I later used it now and again to play at music festivals. So our use has been only occasional, and very infrequent compared to many more serious owners. But I understand how those who spend weeks and weeks in their Cali are bound to keep an eye on improvements in newer and upgraded models. Maybe I should sell mine now, as I rarely use it for camping (but I just love driving it!).

 

[Barbara]

We keep our vehicles till they fall apart, maybe because we choose well in the first place or can not be bothered with the hassle of buying or selling. The plan is to keep the van as long as possible (regulation on clean air and supply of diesel willing) or till my eyesight stops me driving. I should mention that my van is my everyday vehicle it was not brought just to camp. Agree with post above it is great to drive.

 

[WelshGas]

Bought mine new in 2014. Now on 124,567 miles. I'll change when something better comes along, probably the next generation, as I didn't think the T6 or 6.1 were that significant a change. Hopefully a hybrid next.

 

[peregrinus]

Bought mine factory fresh in 2013. I have no plan (or money) to replace it. It's done 50k and was my daily driver for a couple of years. It has done loads of picnics, beach trips, festivals, short and long holidays, several house moves including all the university trips and when we moved. I put a pre 2001 prefix number plate on it to conceal the age and some admirers think its new. I could sell it for a little less than I paid. Best purchase ever?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Waiting on my Ocean, expecting delivery around Dec (just when everyone wants to go camping )

I hope to keep it for 3 years as I tend to only keep cars when they're under warranty. That said as it's my first camper I could be selling it in 6 - 12 months and learning a £10,000 lesson!!!!!

I'm hoping that I'll be upgrading to the next T7 in 3 years, providing it's not a full EV, but we'll not go there....

 

[66tim99]

I hope to keep it for 3 years as I tend to only keep cars when they're under warranty.

Recommend taking the extra 2 year warranty for about £400. Even if you sell after 3 years, the next owner will thank you.
(But I expect you'll want to keep it!)

 

[BeeBee]

Waiting on my Ocean, expecting delivery around Dec (just when everyone wants to go camping )

I hope to keep it for 3 years as I tend to only keep cars when they're under warranty. That said as it's my first camper I could be selling it in 6 - 12 months and learning a £10,000 lesson!!!!!

I'm hoping that I'll be upgrading to the next T7 in 3 years, providing it's not a full EV, but we'll not go there....

California can have 5 year warranty, have you not opted for the 2year extension !

 

[derek_j_buchanan]

Have kept our 3xCalies for typically 9 years.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

California can have 5 year warranty, have you not opted for the 2year extension !

I just get bored too quickly so have never owned a vehicle for more than 2 or 3 years, perhaps this type of vehicle will be different. But I didn't spec it, as a matter of interest how much is a VW service these day, ie how much do you save by buying the extended warranty (the dealer said I can add it anytime up to collection)

 

[jts46]

17yrs November from new. 166000 miles

 

[andyinluton]

Recommend taking the extra 2 year warranty for about £400. Even if you sell after 3 years, the next owner will thank you.
(But I expect you'll want to keep it!)

They probably won't if it's traded in at a VW dealer.
It wasn't until I contacted the current owner of my previous Ocean that he knew that it had both the 5 year warranty and another 4 paid for services. I then had to find the original invoice for him so he could prove it was in place.

 

[edocali]

The BoxDrive is still used as the second car when needed and more easily able to forgive it any issue (like the very rare occasion it can’t be taken to a multi story) given it overly rewards on the other side of the equation. I find it better to drive strangely enough too.

Thanks for sharing, would love to hear your review (maybe in the "Sold up but but still a Cali Lover" section) of the Knaus ! I love their pop-up roof looks, but never seen one for real

 

[pinomarmo1958]

Since 2019 weve had three. About every two years we change ,they dont loose any money. When we are on a campsite we want a bigger one and when we are driving down country lanes we are glad we have a cali.

 

[Lewis]

Bought ours new in 2016 and pleased to have the Euro6 emissions. It’s my main car every day as well as days, weekends and holidays. Did 3 1/2 weeks up to Norway this summer. Approaching 90k miles and has been really reliable. I intend to keep it for another 8-10yrs until my child finishes school and would then consider something different. Any further ULEZ changes could bring that forward though. All in all, a brilliant purchase and no need in my mind to change regularly, well used and enjoyed.