Thinking about returning to the fold....

[David Bailey]

Hi All, its been a long time as we sold our T6 about 5-6 years ago, but are not thinking of buying back in.

 

[David Bailey]

Sorry pressed send to fast. We sold as we found the van a bit too small for camping with 2 teenage kids, but they are more grown up now so more likely to do their own thing so we are more likely to do go off with the 2 of us. Would be looking at the 6.1 now (rather than the T7). Needing to replace our Audi Q7 and looking at the prices of cars now, Cali's are looking at much better value. Wondering if anybody else has made similar decisions having trading up to a larger Van, and decided to come back to the Cali. Also been looking at the Wesfalia rear kitchen vans such as the Kelsey or Jules Verne.

 

[acer]

Sorry pressed send to fast. We sold as we found the van a bit too small for camping with 2 teenage kids, but they are more grown up now so more likely to do their own thing so we are more likely to do go off with the 2 of us. Would be looking at the 6.1 now (rather than the T7). Needing to replace our Audi Q7 and looking at the prices of cars now, Cali's are looking at much better value. Wondering if anybody else has made similar decisions having trading up to a larger Van, and decided to come back to the Cali. Also been looking at the Wesfalia rear kitchen vans such as the Kelsey or Jules Verne.

Welcome back. Looking forward to seeing your photos!

 

[sticky1]

Sorry pressed send to fast. We sold as we found the van a bit too small for camping with 2 teenage kids, but they are more grown up now so more likely to do their own thing so we are more likely to do go off with the 2 of us. Would be looking at the 6.1 now (rather than the T7). Needing to replace our Audi Q7 and looking at the prices of cars now, Cali's are looking at much better value. Wondering if anybody else has made similar decisions having trading up to a larger Van, and decided to come back to the Cali. Also been looking at the Wesfalia rear kitchen vans such as the Kelsey or Jules Verne.

I agree, car prices are making a California as a daily driver seem like a more practical decision.
It sounds like you prefer a bigger van, we went from carrying four kids in a motorhome then onto a T6 California and now into a T7.
I definitely like being able access height restricted car parks.
I’ll be interested to see what you finally choose.

 

[stoobthealien]

We're about to do the same - may as well have a camper as the daily driver if we're going to use it quite a bit at weekends given how much a car costs...the PCP ends up pretty cheap as well compared to a similar price car because of the much GFV so it's a bit of a no-brainer for us.

 

[Neuromancer11]

I'm thinking about going for a bigger van as my 2 kids are not getting any smaller, however the nagging doubt i have is that i will not be able to get another new Cali in the perfect spec (for me) again! T7 is not an option unfortunately.

 

[David Bailey]

We're about to do the same - may as well have a camper as the daily driver if we're going to use it quite a bit at weekends given how much a car costs...the PCP ends up pretty cheap as well compared to a similar price car because of the much GFV so it's a bit of a no-brainer for us.

Are you thinking about the T7 then? I really need to test drive one I think, there is a part of me wondering whether the downsides of less storage, silly table arrangement etc re worth the more car like driving experience if in use daily. I do remember that tippy over feeling from my previous T6 on roundabouts (yes I know its a camper - but it was easy to faster than the brakes could cope with at 200hp)

 

[sticky1]

Are you thinking about the T7 then? I really need to test drive one I think, there is a part of me wondering whether the downsides of less storage, silly table arrangement etc re worth the more car like driving experience if in use daily. I do remember that tippy over feeling from my previous T6 on roundabouts (yes I know its a camper - but it was easy to faster than the brakes could cope with at 200hp)

It is really hard to know how to advise. The last generation of vans was really sorted as a van based camper.
You almost have to think of the T7 as a people carrier based camper. It has all the benefits of that platform and all of the negatives of a smaller base vehicle.
I honestly don’t find that much of a compromise losing cupboard storage as the bigger space behind the rear seats is so easy to access.
Coming from a T6 you will find the lower bed takes more room in the passenger compartment but overall the benefit of a new platform with the latest tech. outweighs the change from a commercial base.
There are plenty of options for van based conversions if you need the bigger vehicle. I looked at the Marco Polo and just couldn’t see the additional £40k.

 

[stoobthealien]

Are you thinking about the T7 then? I really need to test drive one I think, there is a part of me wondering whether the downsides of less storage, silly table arrangement etc re worth the more car like driving experience if in use daily. I do remember that tippy over feeling from my previous T6 on roundabouts (yes I know its a camper - but it was easy to faster than the brakes could cope with at 200hp)

Yes - going to do a test drive next week hopefully (probably going to test a multivan actually as the visibility etc will be closer to a beach than driving an Ocean/Coast and their only beach they won't allow for test driving). I'm happy enough that it biases more towards the car side - the only downside with the beach really is the slide out kitchen takes up more space than the clever side one in the previous generation but it is what it is

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

I'm thinking about going for a bigger van as my 2 kids are not getting any smaller, however the nagging doubt i have is that i will not be able to get another new Cali in the perfect spec (for me) again! T7 is not an option unfortunately.

In exactly the same position. Worried that I’ll get something bigger and come to regret not having my California (and not be able to get the same spec again).

 

[stoobthealien]

In exactly the same position. Worried that I’ll get something bigger and come to regret not having my California (and not be able to get the same spec again).

By the way (not sure if this is allowed!) but we seriously considered the Panama P12 based on the new Ford/ VW van. It's pretty good as far as conversions go... In the end we just didn't want to haul a full kitchen round with us so the beach worked out best

 

[Neuromancer11]

I personally wouldn’t consider a conversion, for me the residuals are how I can justify having an expensive van, so a branded camper is a must really, I just need to be able to stand up, have hot water and a proper toilet, I really want to be able to just camp in the van without the need to have an outside setup if I don’t want the hassle… I.e. the weather is rubbish

 

[Kayleigh]

By the way (not sure if this is allowed!) but we seriously considered the Panama P12 based on the new Ford/ VW van. It's pretty good as far as conversions go... In the end we just didn't want to haul a full kitchen round with us so the beach worked out best

Not with the EcoBlue engine

You can’t go wrong with a Beach for versatility in my view

 

[sticky1]

In exactly the same position. Worried that I’ll get something bigger and come to regret not having my California (and not be able to get the same spec again).

I went through a similar decision.
I have four children and needed a six berth motorhome which was fantastic when they were young but it was a handful to drive anywhere vaguely remote, single carriageway lanes filled me with dread and turning around was challenging to say the least.
I purchased a T6 California once most of the kids wanted more independence which I traded in for a midsized van based on the Ducato platform as I wanted a hot shower and a loo, however I quickly missed the ease of parking and flexibility of the smaller van.
I’m now in the T7, ostensibly for my wife and I and have been really pleased with it.

 

[Fish111111111.]

Are you thinking about the T7 then? I really need to test drive one I think, there is a part of me wondering whether the downsides of less storage, silly table arrangement etc re worth the more car like driving experience if in use daily. I do remember that tippy over feeling from my previous T6 on roundabouts (yes I know its a camper - but it was easy to faster than the brakes could cope with at 200hp)

Have a look at Campervantime on YouTube. They did a great video comparing the t6.1 and T7. Their verdict was for a daily driver and occasional camper, T7 was better. But for lots of camping and not a daily driver, t6.1 was better. Very interesting video.

 

[This Eva]

Sorry pressed send to fast. We sold as we found the van a bit too small for camping with 2 teenage kids, but they are more grown up now so more likely to do their own thing so we are more likely to do go off with the 2 of us. Would be looking at the 6.1 now (rather than the T7). Needing to replace our Audi Q7 and looking at the prices of cars now, Cali's are looking at much better value. Wondering if anybody else has made similar decisions having trading up to a larger Van, and decided to come back to the Cali. Also been looking at the Wesfalia rear kitchen vans such as the Kelsey or Jules Verne.

Hi yes too did the switch back. But not back to a t6.1 ocean. To a T6.1 beach. One of the last ones built Sept 2024. Reason having everything in an ocean cut down on the available room. The rear parcel shelf being higher on the beach allows for greater storage and the lower bed width is fantastic. Use a sim to minimise the space needed for a mattress. Have sold my TT so Cali is my daily drive. Gets into all car parks easily. We eat out at restaurants so cooking is not a priority. The motor home was luxury but had the restriction of size. T7 was not an option even though cheaper was too long for garage.