Advice on which Cali!

[Jongi]

Hi guys,

Annoyingly none of the messages I've typed are getting through the spam filter (no idea why!), so I will keep it brief in the hope it posts.

We are a family of five (2 year old, 4 year old and golden retriever)
We think a Cali will improve our lifestyle / make our regular day trips more enjoyable
We aren't sure which model will be best for us (now and future). Prospect of 3rd child and relatives staying means needing 5+ seater?

I am picking through all the info here to get an idea of which models are perhaps more suitable for us, but any expert advice would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jongi

 

[stoobthealien]

Hi guys,

Annoyingly none of the messages I've typed are getting through the spam filter (no idea why!), so I will keep it brief in the hope it posts.

We are a family of five (2 year old, 4 year old and golden retriever)
We think a Cali will improve our lifestyle / make our regular day trips more enjoyable
We aren't sure which model will be best for us (now and future). Prospect of 3rd child and relatives staying means needing 5+ seater?

I am picking through all the info here to get an idea of which models are perhaps more suitable for us, but any expert advice would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jongi

Are you thinking new T7 or used T6?

 

[Jongi]

I am open minded. I am probably leaning towards used t6 for the ability to get 5 seats (is that the beach 6.1?).

 

[stoobthealien]

I am open minded. I am probably leaning towards used t6 for the ability to get 5 seats (is that the beach 6.1?).

We have a T7 beach as our daily driver and it has 5 seats (I actually can get 6 in but that's a whole other story!)

We got it in Jan to replace our caravan as the kids are getting older so we're increasingly doing single nights away (I see you're just down the road from us so you know how easy it is to get to somewhere lovely in 45 minutes or less to stay!)

You will absolutely get opinions on here on both sides of the argument - the main point being that the T7 is built on a car platform so drives a lot more nicely than a T6, gets better fuel economy and has more modern safety and driving features. The T6 being a van is more spacious and versitile.

On a Beach front - the T6 has a bench seat which is hard to remove but slides and the 6.1 has a cooker which slides out of the door etc. The T7 has it in the boot and it's non removeable so a bit less practical. The T7 does have twin sliding doors though which I love and I couldn't imagine dumping my kids out on the road side when we pull over.

Where it gets messy is that if you can find a T6.1 beach "tour" then it has twin sliders but no cooker or hookup but they are like hen's teeth.

Lots more I could say but that's the potted view - what you'll also find (especially if you're financing) is that a T7 will likely work out less than a good example of a T6.1 beach due to the crazy amount of discounts, VW contributions, subsidised interest rates, etc that VW are throwing at it.

One more thing to be aware of - the T6.1 beach without any options ticked is super basic - no auto lights, no LEDs, etc, etc - finding one with a spec that even matches what a 5 year old mid range fiesta can do can be very difficult.

 

[Jongi]

Thanks for the reply. Super useful advice. I wasn't aware that t7s can have 5 seats. I'll have a further look into that. It is likely that I would finance too, so its useful to know what VW are doing at the moment. I saw a link on another thread (https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/finance-offers-and-fleet/offers/new-california-offers.html), so I will look into this a little bit more.

 

[Jongi]

Out of interest, how do you squeeze in the 6th seat? bought separately and put in the back with other stuff removed?

 

[stoobthealien]

Out of interest, how do you squeeze in the 6th seat? bought separately and put in the back with other stuff removed?

Yes, you have to take the mattress and the side bed board out so totally unsuitable for sleeping downstairs in using that configuration (which I suspect is why VW don't offer it) - more info here:

6 seater legal T7 diesel beach - success!

I know we've had a few discussions about it on here but I've successfully had my T7 beach registered as a 6 seater - I just changed it on the V5, posted it off and a couple of weeks later I now have a V5 with 6 seats on it. I insured with LV and just put a modification of increasing seat...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

If you're in Tynemouth then you can go and have a look at the dealer in Byker - they are helpful enough but wouldn't shift an inch on price (so I ended up buying it from Liverpool)

 

[Jongi]

Class. Thanks again for the advice. I will check it out in Byker.

 

[Californication69]

Hi guys,

Annoyingly none of the messages I've typed are getting through the spam filter (no idea why!), so I will keep it brief in the hope it posts.

We are a family of five (2 year old, 4 year old and golden retriever)
We think a Cali will improve our lifestyle / make our regular day trips more enjoyable
We aren't sure which model will be best for us (now and future). Prospect of 3rd child and relatives staying means needing 5+ seater?

I am picking through all the info here to get an idea of which models are perhaps more suitable for us, but any expert advice would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jongi

Also rent one out and try it.
As a day van for multiple small peoples they are great.
Maybe do a couple of nights in one to check you really like it ?
Sounds like you need a beach tho.
As suggested MV/t7 have some great offers on
I’ve come from two 6.1’s oceans and soon to be MV/t7 beach owner.

 

[Camperfamily]

We are a family of 5, we’ve had a T5.1 Ocean/ SE, now also a T6.1 Beach. We almost bought a Ford Nugget, but decided on the Beach instead. A T7 Beach or Ocean wouldn’t work for us.

The downstairs bedtime bed/seat setup in a T7 Beach is severely compromised in my opinion - have a look at this post:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...-1-should-i-wait-for-the-t7.54878/post-711823

For a family of 5, I would recommend in this order:
1. a T5/5.1/6/6.1 Beach with 3 seat bench
2. a T7 Beach
3. T5/5.1/6/6.1 Ocean with a Multimac seat
4. a T5/5.1/6/6.1 Ocean with a fifth seat

When camping for options 3 & 4 you would need to carry a small tent to put a seat or Multimac outside overnight (we done this many times and it’s absolutely fine, but obviously not as easy as not having to with a 3-seater bench Beach). I also think it would be a real struggle with 2 adults, 2 kids and a golden retriever in a T7 beach without removing the middle rear seat overnight.

 

[Camperfamily]

This thread might help:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/3-kids-what-to-do.34904/

 

[Jongi]

Thanks for the replies. Really useful stuff to know.

I think I am stuck between wanting something that will be practical day to day now with less camping (multivan + tent if we want to camp), or a do it all that may be better in the future (thinking 6.1 beach).

Time to get to a van centre I think!

 

[stoobthealien]

Thanks for the replies. Really useful stuff to know.

I think I am stuck between wanting something that will be practical day to day now with less camping (multivan + tent if we want to camp), or a do it all that may be better in the future (thinking 6.1 beach).

Time to get to a van centre I think!

The residuals on a camper Vs a multivan will make a huge difference to the PCP payment if you're planning on doing that. Our payments on our beach with a sticker price well North of 60k are about £80 a month more then our previous Skoda with a sticker of around 30. Plus there's lux car tax to pay

 

[Jongi]

The residuals on a camper Vs a multivan will make a huge difference to the PCP payment if you're planning on doing that. Our payments on our beach with a sticker price well North of 60k are about £80 a month more then our previous Skoda with a sticker of around 30. Plus there's lux car tax to pay

I've never had car finance before, so what is probably obvious to you is confusing to me here. I assume the GMFV/Baloon payment on a Camper will be higher than a Multivan because it holds more value?

 

[stoobthealien]

I've never had car finance before, so what is probably obvious to you is confusing to me here. I assume the GMFV/Baloon payment on a Camper will be higher than a Multivan because it holds more value?

Exactly this - the balloon / GFV is what the finance company thinks it'll be worth at the end of the term. What you pay monthly is the difference between the purchase price and that number so if the gap is bigger then your monthlies will be higher. When I looked for fun, if you went for a 65 grand Audi SUV compared to a 65 grand Cali, it was about 200 a month more over a 5 year term.

 

[Jongi]

Exactly this - the balloon / GFV is what the finance company thinks it'll be worth at the end of the term. What you pay monthly is the difference between the purchase price and that number so if the gap is bigger then your monthlies will be higher. When I looked for fun, if you went for a 65 grand Audi SUV compared to a 65 grand Cali, it was about 200 a month more over a 5 year term.

So if my plan was to trade in and get something new at the end of the term, the lower the monthly payment / higher the baloon payment the better (with potential equity). Is there anything else you think I should consider if I was planning to have something longer and to keep? I guess the more your vehicle holds in value, the better the asset you have when you do eventually come to trade in.

My sticking point at the minute is that I would like the option to have more than 5 seats (Multi), but I prefer everything else that comes with the Cali. Which was why I was interested in how you got 6 in yours.

 

[Jongi]

Going to pop along to the van centre in Byker. They actually have some used vehciles (both mutli and cali) on low mileage (less than 5k) quite a bit cheaper than new. Be good to actually see the difference and get a feel for size/practicality of space etc.

 

[stoobthealien]

So if my plan was to trade in and get something new at the end of the term, the lower the monthly payment / higher the baloon payment the better (with potential equity). Is there anything else you think I should consider if I was planning to have something longer and to keep? I guess the more your vehicle holds in value, the better the asset you have when you do eventually come to trade in.

My sticking point at the minute is that I would like the option to have more than 5 seats (Multi), but I prefer everything else that comes with the Cali. Which was why I was interested in how you got 6 in yours.

Exactly - if it's worth less than the balloon then the finance company loses so they always put some padding in - it's obviously tricky given they don't really know how a T7 Cali will perform on the used market in 5 years time. My balloon is about 37k from memory so if it keeps it's value like T6 beaches do then I'll be in a good position

 

[stoobthealien]

Going to pop along to the van centre in Byker. They actually have some used vehciles (both mutli and cali) on low mileage (less than 5k) quite a bit cheaper than new. Be good to actually see the difference and get a feel for size/practicality of space etc.

I suspect if you get the finance on a used priced up you'll find it's more expensive than new even with it being that much cheaper. You won't get the 4500 VW contribution and the APR will be a lot higher but it would be interesting to hear how you get on

 

[andyinluton]

Exactly - if it's worth less than the balloon then the finance company loses so they always put some padding in - it's obviously tricky given they don't really know how a T7 Cali will perform on the used market in 5 years time. My balloon is about 37k from memory so if it keeps it's value like T6 beaches do then I'll be in a good position

Isn't it the other way round? its in the Finance companies interest to keep the balloon as low as possible to protect themselves

£50k balloon & a van worth £40k - you have zero equity
£30k Balloon & a van worth £40k you have £10k equity

The bigger the ballon, the more interest you will be paying as well.

 

[stoobthealien]

It is - which is why normally you have to

Isn't it the other way round? its in the Finance companies interest to keep the balloon as low as possible to protect themselves

£50k balloon & a van worth £40k - you have zero equity
£30k Balloon & a van worth £40k you have £10k equity

The bigger the ballon, the more interest you will be paying as well.

To an extent - they also need to make the vehicle affordable on a credit assessment so they will sell more vehicles if the balloon is higher and therefore the monthly payment is more affordable - it's a balance.

They will try and protect themselves from the risk though as you say which is why you often end up with equity at the end of the agreement

 

[Mansfieldman750]

Isn't it the other way round? its in the Finance companies interest to keep the balloon as low as possible to protect themselves

£50k balloon & a van worth £40k - you have zero equity
£30k Balloon & a van worth £40k you have £10k equity

The bigger the ballon, the more interest you will be paying as well.

If the £50k balloon is due and the van is worth £40k you give them the van back and breathe a huge sigh of relief.

 

[Jongi]

If the £50k balloon is due and the van is worth £40k you give them the van back and breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Just so I get my head around this. Say I put down £15k deposit on a £68k Cali, and I end up spending £350 per month over 4 years (£16800) bringing my expenditure to £32kish. In any circumstance from that point where I decide to give the van back, I've essentially paid £32k to use it for four years?

Im considering new because I think I will want it for long term and its likely to depreciate slowly (hopefully..)

 

[andyinluton]

Just so I get my head around this. Say I put down £15k deposit on a £68k Cali, and I end up spending £350 per month over 4 years (£16800) bringing my expenditure to £32kish. In any circumstance from that point where I decide to give the van back, I've essentially paid £32k to use it for four years?

Correct + you need to pay any fees for damage + any fees for exceeding contract mileage.

However if the final balloon after 4 years is say £20k, if the van is worth more than that you can pay the £20k & then the van is yours to resell. Or you could trade it in and use the extra value towards your next van.

 

[stoobthealien]

Correct + you need to pay any fees for damage + any fees for exceeding contract mileage.

However if the final balloon after 4 years is say £20k, if the van is worth more than that you can pay the £20k & then the van is yours to resell. Or you could trade it in and use the extra value towards your next van.

You only need to pay for the damage + mileage if it's in negative equity and you have to hand it back. I've always just traded in a PCP vehicle and then it doesn't matter on the condition as that just affects the trade in value so as long as the equity can absorb it then it's all good