I am now half way through my visit to Greens Lake having been here since the 22nd October and used very little of my budgeted $50 per day I find that I can save up easily. My thinking has expanded to the point that I now confidently believe that I can actually upgrade the Hi Ace over the next 12 months. The only problem is the rust and if unchecked can render the van unroadworthy if checked out by a zealous law enforcement officer leaving me in real trouble. The other associated problem is if the van is unroadworthy it is virtually unsaleable other than at a knockdown price.
I no longer want to upgrade the Hi Ace for a similar later model vehicle instead would like to get a larger vehicle and a Toyota Coaster would be ideal. I have been searching Gumtree, Ebay and Carsales it seems that there are more Coasters on sale in Queensland than in the other states combined, perhaps a more suitable place for travellers to settle down and sell up their vehicles. Having not looked at any of the vehicles on offer it is hard to judge their value but there are Coasters available from $3500 upwards and around $8000 they appear to be suitable, still dated in the 70s and 80s with big kms but still by the photos and advert OK.
It wouldnt be an easy task to sell up this vehicle, retain items not for sale and still have a home whilst looking up the adverts for the new vehicle with no transport. Easier if I could afford to retain the van and buy a different one without the need to use the funds from the sale of this one. I think that the way to achieve this is by renting an onsite van possibly where I was before setting off in Carrarra. So if the current van requires no further repairs and expenditure other than normal running costs will it be possible to upgrade before the rego is due next July?
I am setting off to Tasmania on the 30th November and the return sailing costs have been paid. The plan is to free camp wherever possible and the petrol consumption should not be high due to the relatively short trips between camps. My latest thinking is to remain in Tassie until after the PeaceFest at the end of February, then slowly make my way back to Queensland and by then be in a position to upgrade the van.
I started off this part of my life with a post on the Grey Nomads forum in December 2010 with a post called My 12 Month Plan http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t39891223/my-12-month-plan/ which was achieved 9 months later the following August when I set off and made the round Australia trip it now looks like my next 12 month plan has started to upgrade the van.
John
Loki said
05:40 AM Nov 12, 2012
A good plan, John. A Coaster was seriously considered by me as it is just that much bigger to be more comfortable. But as I travel from a base, the HiAce suits and is certainly cheaper on the ferry.
I had Greens Lake in mind, but discovered Mt. Buffalo and had a few days there instead - some interesting walks and great scenery. I have to be in Melbourne Tues for the ferry and with luck my GPS will get me to the boat on time!
Good luck with the PLAN and Happy travels,
dawa said
03:50 PM Nov 12, 2012
I too am planning an up-grade but allowing 2 years to do this.
I need an in-built shower
Dawa
dawa said
03:53 PM Nov 12, 2012
Loki wrote:
A good plan, John. A Coaster was seriously considered by me as it is just that much bigger to be more comfortable. But as I travel from a base, the HiAce suits and is certainly cheaper on the ferry.
I had Greens Lake in mind, but discovered Mt. Buffalo and had a few days there instead - some interesting walks and great scenery. I have to be in Melbourne Tues for the ferry and with luck my GPS will get me to the boat on time!
Good luck with the PLAN and Happy travels,
I won't consider Tasmania the very idea of navigating Melbourne
Dawa
jules47 said
05:14 PM Nov 12, 2012
Sounds a good plan John - enjoy Green's! It is a shocker of a day here in Cooee.
Jack Mac said
05:46 PM Nov 12, 2012
Hi John,
Sounds like a good investment for future travels.
Have PM'd you.
Cheers,
Jack
bill12 said
07:20 PM Nov 12, 2012
Try to get diesel coaster. the motors are well tried , and easy to fix. Many will do 400,000klms before rebuild.A 5 spedd gearbox is also good. The same motors are in hilux and landcriuisers.I hope to be doing what you are , eventually. See you next year in NQ. Bill
wendyv said
01:18 AM Nov 13, 2012
dawa wrote:
Loki wrote:
A good plan, John. A Coaster was seriously considered by me as it is just that much bigger to be more comfortable. But as I travel from a base, the HiAce suits and is certainly cheaper on the ferry.
I had Greens Lake in mind, but discovered Mt. Buffalo and had a few days there instead - some interesting walks and great scenery. I have to be in Melbourne Tues for the ferry and with luck my GPS will get me to the boat on time!
Good luck with the PLAN and Happy travels,
I won't consider Tasmania the very idea of navigating Melbourne
Dawa
Not as bad if you book to travel on a Sunday - much less traffic.
wendyv said
01:22 AM Nov 13, 2012
John, google CMCA and look in their Members Market section - you do not have to be a member to do this. There's generally some Coasters listed.
We found ours listed in the used vehicle section of the Roberts RV web site (they are a big Winnebago dealer in Melbourne and get Coasters traded in sometimes. A friend also got one about the same time as us, from them.) I would imagine that big new motorhome dealerships in other capital cities have similar used offerings.
dawa said
01:47 AM Nov 13, 2012
wendyv wrote:
John, google CMCA and look in their Members Market section - you do not have to be a member to do this. There's generally some Coasters listed.
We found ours listed in the used vehicle section of the Roberts RV web site (they are a big Winnebago dealer in Melbourne and get Coasters traded in sometimes. A friend also got one about the same time as us, from them.) I would imagine that big new motorhome dealerships in other capital cities have similar used offerings.
was the price comparible to buying privately?
Dawa
wendyv said
04:22 AM Nov 13, 2012
Actually better than some private buys I'd thought about. Think dealers don't want "dead" money sitting around. Ones like Roberts RV are primarily in the business of moving new Winnebagos - means they have to accept trade ins, but it is almost a cost of business. I think some private sellers are very attached to their vehicles and thus have an over-inflated idea of value. Buying where we did meant that not only could we negotiate re price, but they fixed a couple of things found in the RWC inspection, gave it a full service, and with a bit of a nudge from the driver, threw in a reversing camera. We also have a - limited - mechanical warranty for 3 years, which is not bad for a 1994 bus with about 244,000km on odo.
tcp99 said
05:12 AM Nov 13, 2012
John,
If you buy another van you should consider registering it in Victoria as there is no compulosory roadworthy inspection in Victoria with yearly registration.
Terry
Dougwe said
05:34 AM Nov 13, 2012
Sounds a good plan John, coasters are great size and reliable.
dawa said
02:58 PM Nov 13, 2012
tcp99 wrote:
John,
If you buy another van you should consider registering it in Victoria as there is no compulosory roadworthy inspection in Victoria with yearly registration.
Terry
I like having my vehicle inspected every year.
After living in Qld where there is no inspection and seeing the junkers on the road I am happy to know i am driving a safe roadworthy vehicle
Dawa
Gerty Dancer said
04:20 PM Nov 13, 2012
I'm impressed John, you are an inspiration! You'll get your coaster, and you'll have wonderful travels, and please keep up your great updates!
yeoeleven said
05:41 PM Nov 13, 2012
wendyv wrote:
John, google CMCA and look in their Members Market section - you do not have to be a member to do this. There's generally some Coasters listed.
We found ours listed in the used vehicle section of the Roberts RV web site (they are a big Winnebago dealer in Melbourne and get Coasters traded in sometimes. A friend also got one about the same time as us, from them.) I would imagine that big new motorhome dealerships in other capital cities have similar used offerings.
Thanks for the links wendyv, I am not ready yet but have looked them up. The prices are a bit higher than I aspire to but who knows by the time I get back from Tassie I will have more funds and there could be just the one then,
John
jules47 said
05:46 PM Nov 13, 2012
Hey John, there are free camps everywhere down here, so the bank won't suffer too much.
Sheba said
09:34 PM Nov 13, 2012
Are you sure you're not in Russia Billeeeeeee ? New Avatar looks like you could be. Lol.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 13th of November 2012 09:36:52 PM
billeeeeeee said
12:51 AM Nov 14, 2012
Howdyeeeee young fella, like Julie says, heaps of free camps here , never need to go into a van park, talking about saving fuel , When we hit Tassie , had a full tank, 100.L,,,,,,,have done 600klm,,,,,just filled it up again, not sure how to work out how many klms to the litre, U will like it over here,nice ppl, friendly, and great places to go,..... stay safe ,old friend.......and above all ,stay excited,,,,,,,PS,,stay away from them Italian F/m back packers, tooooooo, and may I give a big Hi!!! to Jimbo,,,,,,hope u r still checking to c if U fly is done up, before u go out ,????? remember wot happend before ,hehehehe wot goes on ,on the road , stays on the road,,,,,hehehe.......................Billeeeeeee
Great plan John. Exactly what i planned to do, too. Coaster seems the best of possible choices. but so far, while i don't have what i like, i must deal with what i have
All best luck John!
Esperian said
04:43 AM Nov 14, 2012
billeeeeeee wrote:
Howdyeeeee young fella, like Julie says, heaps of free camps here , never need to go into a van park, talking about saving fuel , When we hit Tassie , had a full tank, 100.L,,,,,,,have done 600klm,,,,,just filled it up again, not sure how to work out how many klms to the litre, U will like it over here,nice ppl, friendly, and great places to go,..... stay safe ,old friend.......and above all ,stay excited,,,,,,,PS,,stay away from them Italian F/m back packers, tooooooo, and may I give a big Hi!!! to Jimbo,,,,,,hope u r still checking to c if U fly is done up, before u go out ,????? remember wot happend before ,hehehehe wot goes on ,on the road , stays on the road,,,,,hehehe.......................Billeeeeeee
Hmmm. After this post of yours, Billeeeeeee, Tasmania starts to look in my eyes more and more like the peferable place to go over this summer, as long the weather there is tolerably warmer than in the winter. May be I ought to change my plans and go rather there? The more so, that i never went there, yet...
billeeeeeee said
07:29 PM Nov 17, 2012
Tassie Summer gear,..........Billeeeeeeeee ....Ps,, a Beautiful place ,, Beautiful ppl, its Gob stopping, the Country,........
-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Saturday 17th of November 2012 07:33:22 PM
Howdyeeeee young fella, like Julie says, heaps of free camps here , never need to go into a van park, talking about saving fuel , When we hit Tassie , had a full tank, 100.L,,,,,,,have done 600klm,,,,,just filled it up again, not sure how to work out how many klms to the litre, U will like it over here,nice ppl, friendly, and great places to go,..... stay safe ,old friend.......and above all ,stay excited,,,,,,,PS,,stay away from them Italian F/m back packers, tooooooo, and may I give a big Hi!!! to Jimbo,,,,,,hope u r still checking to c if U fly is done up, before u go out ,????? remember wot happend before ,hehehehe wot goes on ,on the road , stays on the road,,,,,hehehe.......................Billeeeeeee
Hmmm. After this post of yours, Billeeeeeee, Tasmania starts to look in my eyes more and more like the peferable place to go over this summer, as long the weather there is tolerably warmer than in the winter. May be I ought to change my plans and go rather there? The more so, that i never went there, yet...
Yep - come on down - we intend to have a lot of fun while we are here!!! Get a contact number of Yeoeleven if you go to Greens - highly recommended!!!!!!
yeoeleven said
07:55 AM Nov 22, 2012
This is moving quickly but I am going to look at a Coaster in Wodonga tomorrow, Doug (Dougwe) is driving me over and Brandt (Kiwi as) is coming to help in the assessment. The owner has consented to my difficult terms half down and the rest when I get back from Tassie and he house it until then. So we will see how it looks and drives.
Talking to the owner it has a new motor, paintwork and no rust "CALL PAUL PH 02 ANYTIME DRIVES GREAT FOR A OLDIE" not sure if he means me or the bus.
John
edited to put a pic up from the advt but it didn't work
-- Edited by yeoeleven on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 08:23:45 AM
dawa said
04:02 PM Nov 22, 2012
yeoeleven wrote:
This is moving quickly but I am going to look at a Coaster in Wodonga tomorrow, Doug (Dougwe) is driving me over and Brandt (Kiwi as) is coming to help in the assessment. The owner has consented to my difficult terms half down and the rest when I get back from Tassie and he house it until then. So we will see how it looks and drives.
Talking to the owner it has a new motor, paintwork and no rust "CALL PAUL PH 02 ANYTIME DRIVES GREAT FOR A OLDIE" not sure if he means me or the bus.
John
WOW that is fantastic. Great that those guys are going with you as well.
So pleased for you and your travelling will be more comfortable.
Doing the happy dance for you
Dawa
jules47 said
05:53 PM Nov 22, 2012
Goodo John - hope it is a goodie!!! are you doing the "buy now" thing??? It looks ok, and a REAL bed!!!!!! wow!!!
Duh said
07:52 PM Nov 22, 2012
Looks good John, heaps of room would make living on the road full time so much more pleasant.
Has it got power steering? I know you said that was one of your priorities if ever you got another RV.
Sheba said
10:09 PM Nov 22, 2012
Like the Layout John. It looks like it could be a good buy, if you're happy with the Dual-fuel .
Great that the guys are going with you too though. Any extra expertise comes in handy.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 10:17:50 PM
Jack Mac said
05:31 AM Nov 23, 2012
Hi Joh
Pics look good and from the description seems like value for the money. Fingers crossed all goes well. Always good to have a second and third pair of eyes when looking.
Cheers,
Jack
jetj said
10:53 AM Nov 23, 2012
My concern would be what motor have they put in it. Lots use old holden motors and some use lots of fuel, hence the need for gas. Gas isn't as cheap any more.
Good luck John with whatever you decide, I hope it is a good buy.
-- Edited by jetj on Friday 23rd of November 2012 11:07:00 AM
I am now half way through my visit to Greens Lake having been here since the 22nd October and used very little of my budgeted $50 per day I find that I can save up easily. My thinking has expanded to the point that I now confidently believe that I can actually upgrade the Hi Ace over the next 12 months. The only problem is the rust and if unchecked can render the van unroadworthy if checked out by a zealous law enforcement officer leaving me in real trouble. The other associated problem is if the van is unroadworthy it is virtually unsaleable other than at a knockdown price.
I no longer want to upgrade the Hi Ace for a similar later model vehicle instead would like to get a larger vehicle and a Toyota Coaster would be ideal. I have been searching Gumtree, Ebay and Carsales it seems that there are more Coasters on sale in Queensland than in the other states combined, perhaps a more suitable place for travellers to settle down and sell up their vehicles. Having not looked at any of the vehicles on offer it is hard to judge their value but there are Coasters available from $3500 upwards and around $8000 they appear to be suitable, still dated in the 70s and 80s with big kms but still by the photos and advert OK.
It wouldnt be an easy task to sell up this vehicle, retain items not for sale and still have a home whilst looking up the adverts for the new vehicle with no transport. Easier if I could afford to retain the van and buy a different one without the need to use the funds from the sale of this one. I think that the way to achieve this is by renting an onsite van possibly where I was before setting off in Carrarra. So if the current van requires no further repairs and expenditure other than normal running costs will it be possible to upgrade before the rego is due next July?
I am setting off to Tasmania on the 30th November and the return sailing costs have been paid. The plan is to free camp wherever possible and the petrol consumption should not be high due to the relatively short trips between camps. My latest thinking is to remain in Tassie until after the PeaceFest at the end of February, then slowly make my way back to Queensland and by then be in a position to upgrade the van.
I started off this part of my life with a post on the Grey Nomads forum in December 2010 with a post called My 12 Month Plan http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t39891223/my-12-month-plan/
which was achieved 9 months later the following August when I set off and made the round Australia trip it now looks like my next 12 month plan has started to upgrade the van.
John
I had Greens Lake in mind, but discovered Mt. Buffalo and had a few days there instead - some interesting walks and great scenery. I have to be in Melbourne Tues for the ferry and with luck my GPS will get me to the boat on time!
Good luck with the PLAN and Happy travels,
I too am planning an up-grade but allowing 2 years to do this.
I need an in-built shower
Dawa
I won't consider Tasmania the very idea of navigating Melbourne
Dawa
Hi John,
Sounds like a good investment for future travels.
Have PM'd you.
Cheers,
Jack
Not as bad if you book to travel on a Sunday - much less traffic.
google CMCA and look in their Members Market section - you do not have to be a member to do this. There's generally some Coasters listed.
We found ours listed in the used vehicle section of the Roberts RV web site (they are a big Winnebago dealer in Melbourne and get Coasters traded in sometimes. A friend also got one about the same time as us, from them.) I would imagine that big new motorhome dealerships in other capital cities have similar used offerings.
was the price comparible to buying privately?
Dawa
I think some private sellers are very attached to their vehicles and thus have an over-inflated idea of value.
Buying where we did meant that not only could we negotiate re price, but they fixed a couple of things found in the RWC inspection, gave it a full service, and with a bit of a nudge from the driver, threw in a reversing camera. We also have a - limited - mechanical warranty for 3 years, which is not bad for a 1994 bus with about 244,000km on odo.
John,
If you buy another van you should consider registering it in Victoria as there is no compulosory roadworthy inspection in Victoria with yearly registration.
Terry
I like having my vehicle inspected every year.
After living in Qld where there is no inspection and seeing the junkers on the road I am happy to know i am driving a safe roadworthy vehicle
Dawa
Thanks for the links wendyv, I am not ready yet but have looked them up. The prices are a bit higher than I aspire to but who knows by the time I get back from Tassie I will have more funds and there could be just the one then,
John
Are you sure you're not in Russia Billeeeeeee ? New Avatar looks like you could be. Lol.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 13th of November 2012 09:36:52 PM
Howdyeeeee young fella, like Julie says, heaps of free camps here , never need to go into a van park, talking about saving fuel , When we hit Tassie , had a full tank, 100.L,,,,,,,have done 600klm,,,,,just filled it up again, not sure how to work out how many klms to the litre, U will like it over here,nice ppl, friendly, and great places to go,..... stay safe ,old friend.......and above all ,stay excited,,,,,,,PS,,stay away from them Italian F/m back packers, tooooooo, and may I give a big Hi!!! to Jimbo,,,,,,hope u r still checking to c if U fly is done up, before u go out ,????? remember wot happend before ,hehehehe wot goes on ,on the road , stays on the road,,,,,hehehe.......................Billeeeeeee
Great plan John. Exactly what i planned to do, too. Coaster seems the best of possible choices. but so far, while i don't have what i like, i must deal with what i have
All best luck John!
Hmmm. After this post of yours, Billeeeeeee, Tasmania starts to look in my eyes more and more like the peferable place to go over this summer, as long the weather there is tolerably warmer than in the winter. May be I ought to change my plans and go rather there? The more so, that i never went there, yet...
Tassie Summer gear,..........Billeeeeeeeee ....Ps,, a Beautiful place ,, Beautiful ppl, its Gob stopping, the Country,........
-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Saturday 17th of November 2012 07:33:22 PM
Yep - come on down - we intend to have a lot of fun while we are here!!! Get a contact number of Yeoeleven if you go to Greens - highly recommended!!!!!!
This is moving quickly but I am going to look at a Coaster in Wodonga tomorrow, Doug (Dougwe) is driving me over and Brandt (Kiwi as) is coming to help in the assessment. The owner has consented to my difficult terms half down and the rest when I get back from Tassie and he house it until then. So we will see how it looks and drives.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TOYOTA-COASTER-1980-/321027681922?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item4abebdae82
Talking to the owner it has a new motor, paintwork and no rust "CALL PAUL PH 02 ANYTIME DRIVES GREAT FOR A OLDIE" not sure if he means me or the bus.
John
edited to put a pic up from the advt but it didn't work
-- Edited by yeoeleven on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 08:23:45 AM
It looks ok, and a REAL bed!!!!!! wow!!!
Looks good John, heaps of room would make living on the road full time so much more pleasant.
Has it got power steering? I know you said that was one of your priorities if ever you got another RV.
Like the Layout John. It looks like it could be a good buy, if you're happy with the Dual-fuel .
Great that the guys are going with you too though. Any extra expertise comes in handy.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 10:17:50 PM
Hi Joh
Pics look good and from the description seems like value for the money. Fingers crossed all goes well. Always good to have a second and third pair of eyes when looking.
Cheers,
Jack
My concern would be what motor have they put in it. Lots use old holden motors and some use lots of fuel, hence the need for gas. Gas isn't as cheap any more.
Good luck John with whatever you decide, I hope it is a good buy.
-- Edited by jetj on Friday 23rd of November 2012 11:07:00 AM