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Some of the crazy stuff I have seen done in the self build groups, buy a panel van and build It yourself!
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If you want it to be well equipped I would recommend taking a look at race vans. There are a load of well looked after vans that are fitted with top quality equipment, but aren't wood lined yet so don't command the same prices as campervans.
E.g
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sprinter-race-van/154195540153?hash=item23e6c538b9:g:BIUAAOSwNg1fittcIf you convert something yourself, the price on new equipment and fittings will quickly add up. Add to that the needs of converting it to a motorhome on the V5, and getting any gas installation tested there are a few extra hurdles.
If you get something small enough for daily use as a car, you will inevitably compromise on use as a live in but driving a panel van to the supermarket is madness. Can't you do you shopping on a bike?
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If you want to recoup value then the best way is probably get a bare but good Crafter, then get it properly converted (or at least the big bits) by a decent firm. DIY is easy enough if you're experienced and handy but won't help much if you decide to sell it as converted in a year or 3 and want to get a good price.
Transporters are too small for proper living/big trips unless you don't have any sports equipment whatsoever and there's just one or two people, even then I'd expect some luggage to go on the roof.
The fords are good vans, but don't have the VW scene tax, wouldn't bother with Sprinters as they have very bad rep.
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@JamesQGM
Girlfriend and I are looking at buying a camper early next year, with the view of using it for a 2-3 month euro tour in 2022 (next year we'll do some UK based smaller trips).
We want something that we can use fairly regularly, but have a car so doesn't need to double up as supermarket daily.
I spent all my childhood holidays (up until around 17) in campers (everything from a VW T25 to a Laika A Class), usually 4 weeks in Europe, so i'm familiar with longish trips in 'vans and their quirks, but not in maintaining them.
Budget is 10k-12k. I'm thinking for this money trying to find a homemade conversion on a Sprinter/Iveco/LWB Transit - basically something with a bit of space. Girlfriend is an sculpture artist and uses woodwork so we're up for giving some superficial maintenance/sprucing up a go. Is inheriting someones handy work asking for trouble though?
I suppose the other option is a slightly older factory build (autosleeper etc) or an older VW (t25 or t3/4) although I reckon the later might be a bit small for what we need.
What's the best bang for buck for this budget?
Oh, and we don't want it to depreciate entirely as we'd ideally recoup some of this cash in the future to contribute to a house deposit. Totally appreciate they'll be a couple of grand yearly costs for running and maintenance.