Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

It's not meant to be mean or anything.

I just don't think you can square the circle.

Yep, had a double bed that deployed- you had to fold the seats down to so do.

I think the aging transit would lose almost all its value, so not really a good idea.

I’d also be leaving the theoretical vehicle with a friend, and the quid pro quo there would be that it would be useful to them/they would want to use it.

Budget is essentially impossible to define given that I am unemployed currently of course

Get a van and a pop top kit? So much cheaper than a fully built camper. Do you really need a dining table for 4, a kitchen, bathroom, electrics and insulation? You could fit bits and bobs yourself, as and when.

There are blogs and podcasts speculating about values. I've not seen a forecast of a crash. WFH doesn't seem to be declining. Are there lots of office workers doing WFH from a camper?

Parking a camper is getting harder. Some council car parks have 5 metre limits.

The VW Beach is more like an MPV with a fold out sink/cooker, and a pop top. Which is very close to perfect for me I think.

I have just driven through the heaviest rain I have ever (murkily) seen.

1 Attachment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRtciKgFgqA

Hope your drains are clear. I’m always a bit paranoid about them and the module under the passenger seat

The bigger the motorhome, the less of the world you see. You can't park that fucker anywhere. Wherever you go you're as welcome as salmonella. Bridges, tunnels, lanes, ferries, medieval towns....

Yep, I considered bigger (than a VW Transporter/Transit) and discounted them- the trade off in terms of ease of use vs indoor bog isn’t worth it.

One of my window seals started leaking so I dived into a covered car park.

obviously a fucking massive orange truck wasn't a serious suggestion, but does go to show that you can do cool stuff on a budget if you buy something without 'scene tax' that has already finished depreciating.

also frees up more budget for important stuff

Time for some gummi plfiege?

I follow True Blue Travellers
https://www.youtube.com/@truebluetravellers
If you have the time and budget copy something like they have built which, have evolved with each new vehicle.

I'm not sure I buy that.

My first hit on ebay is a merc'd out £15k ULEZ compliant van.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256551022874?

How much is this really going to drop over the period you're looking at? £7.5k? What's your average spend on a vehicle in terms of mods 'n maintenance over a 3yr period?

Or this one for £9k https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226210347413? If the theoretical future value in... 10yrs? is zero, so what? This is exactly how cars use to be.

Neither of those are what I’m looking for, I would point out.

I agree on the size thing but personally think a T6, etc is too small and MWB High Top Sprinter/ Crafter would be better. Bed deck over bike/tool storage and still space for small kitchen/sitting area.
I currently own a LWB and the ability to actually stand up inside is brilliant. I previously owned a T5 for ten years

They both have

Space - required
Sleeping potential - required

Seems they are exactly what you are after.

Based on your actual requirements, modding something like the above is a great solution. I forget who, but someone with a dirt bike has pretty much the same requirements as you and did that.

But it doesn't fit in with what you want. Which is fine. But given that what you want is out of budget leads us back to post #79071.

I guess another option could be a pick up with a cab cover? Idk if you can make these waterproof though. That would ideal for your car guardian, because everyone would love access to a spare pickup at will.

Or an S-Type and a caravan?

This is actually a fucking genius brainwave. A bit like having a nice audax bike - ride to your destination with the panniers then dump and have a blast in the mountains.

And fails the “is a practical/desirable vehicle for the person who it’s going to be left with test’ hard.

https://youtu.be/949SWiSWc7A?

So a T6 is practical and desirable, but a rude black transit is neither👍

RR Vogue?

True Blue Travellers

To play Devil's advocate they've got a dirty old 6 wheel stupid mpg fire engine offroader and a Land Rover. Both of which are increasingly unwelcome in low emissions Europe and pointless unless serious offroading. 99% of the time Mr. off grid explorer is on a track suitable for 2WD cars, which are what the locals drive. Embarrassing, conspicuous overkill when you're sharing the track with them in your rich man's toy.
AWD and knobblies and snorkels are achingly cool on IG but no use unless
you're dune-bashing across the Sahara and you proceed to central Africa in the rainy season. Which nobody does because of wars, failed states, terrorism and disease. The penny has dropped with these heroes so they've bought a small Transit.

I like that Transit - I'd happily drive that around the place. More so than a camper van if I was left with either to look after.