Hantshog
Well after following this forum for several months, and hiring a California 3 times over the summer, once to France, we have taken the plunge. I have read with interest the debates about 2WD vs 4 Motion, non swivelling seats, Dsg Vs Manual, etc etc. All useful inputs to my final option decisions.
Whilst I am not convinced on 4WD. Will I ever need it? I have never got stuck in my car on campsites! Plus the hit on MPG and maybe a premium on road tax are both detractors. However I am the sort of person who would be always thinking I'd wish I had it. Grass is always greener ( and possibly slipperier) on the other side and buying new means I have the luxury (albeit at a premium) of choosing what I want. Had it been a pre owned or a ex demo then you have to accept whats in it or wait for another.
Anyway I have opted for a 204 DSG 4 Motion in Oryx White.
Quite a long list of extras
My extras.
LED lights. Very expensive for what it is but I like the idea of not having to cover the lenses when going abroad and we intend to do this a lot. Plus they look very cool (my son says).
Side scan (particularly for when we are in Europe) as pulled out on a car in blind spot on french motorway this year and would have avoided situation with side scan
Lights and vision. all vehicles should have this as standard.
MFD just another bit of colour in dash.
Sat Nav plus all the techy goodies that come with it.
Chrome package. as I want the black B pillars.
Front and rear PS with camera.
Black 17" Cascavels. I like the bounciness of the ride and I like to carry a real spare tyre especially when holidaying in Europe.
Green Privacy glass.
High beam assist. another labour saving gadget.
Adaptive Cruise. A must
Bigger fuel tank. 60 more miles range, could be useful when French garages are closed due to fuel blockades.
Security box. Went for this as somewhere more secure to store travel docs, money, ipads and stuff when on holiday, particularly abroad.
Matress and other small items
My wifes extensive extras list
Storage net. Really for the extra under seat drawer.
Magnetic torch. cuz i never put the loose torch back in the same place. £60 is a small price to pay for one less nag!
We have now started building a list of must haves. I think I have all I want but my wife is keen to get something more comfortable for upstairs. we both had back aches this year sleeping upstairs. We dont like the concept of Duvalay hybrid sleeping bag/mattress and we definitely want to persevere with duvets as opposed to sleeping bags as we consider sleeping bags more tenting and we think we have moved on from that. i welcome suggestions and ideas.
The one thing I am still struggling with is my colour choice. Whilst white is trendy at the moment, can be seen better than darker colours, repels heat in hot climates and is more fun, I am still wondering whether Indium Grey is the sensible choice. It looks more prestige, and a big one for me is that grey is not the same colour as white van mans vehicle.
I would welcome members with white or grey Californias to comment on their experience of the two colours.
Roll on next March.
Whilst I am not convinced on 4WD. Will I ever need it? I have never got stuck in my car on campsites! Plus the hit on MPG and maybe a premium on road tax are both detractors. However I am the sort of person who would be always thinking I'd wish I had it. Grass is always greener ( and possibly slipperier) on the other side and buying new means I have the luxury (albeit at a premium) of choosing what I want. Had it been a pre owned or a ex demo then you have to accept whats in it or wait for another.
Anyway I have opted for a 204 DSG 4 Motion in Oryx White.
Quite a long list of extras
My extras.
LED lights. Very expensive for what it is but I like the idea of not having to cover the lenses when going abroad and we intend to do this a lot. Plus they look very cool (my son says).
Side scan (particularly for when we are in Europe) as pulled out on a car in blind spot on french motorway this year and would have avoided situation with side scan
Lights and vision. all vehicles should have this as standard.
MFD just another bit of colour in dash.
Sat Nav plus all the techy goodies that come with it.
Chrome package. as I want the black B pillars.
Front and rear PS with camera.
Black 17" Cascavels. I like the bounciness of the ride and I like to carry a real spare tyre especially when holidaying in Europe.
Green Privacy glass.
High beam assist. another labour saving gadget.
Adaptive Cruise. A must
Bigger fuel tank. 60 more miles range, could be useful when French garages are closed due to fuel blockades.
Security box. Went for this as somewhere more secure to store travel docs, money, ipads and stuff when on holiday, particularly abroad.
Matress and other small items
My wifes extensive extras list
Storage net. Really for the extra under seat drawer.
Magnetic torch. cuz i never put the loose torch back in the same place. £60 is a small price to pay for one less nag!
We have now started building a list of must haves. I think I have all I want but my wife is keen to get something more comfortable for upstairs. we both had back aches this year sleeping upstairs. We dont like the concept of Duvalay hybrid sleeping bag/mattress and we definitely want to persevere with duvets as opposed to sleeping bags as we consider sleeping bags more tenting and we think we have moved on from that. i welcome suggestions and ideas.
The one thing I am still struggling with is my colour choice. Whilst white is trendy at the moment, can be seen better than darker colours, repels heat in hot climates and is more fun, I am still wondering whether Indium Grey is the sensible choice. It looks more prestige, and a big one for me is that grey is not the same colour as white van mans vehicle.
I would welcome members with white or grey Californias to comment on their experience of the two colours.
Roll on next March.
)
