Oh everyone so hard what to buy!! Toyota Coaster 1994 approx 100k with new fitout is in my price range or should I concentrate on a Jayco or
winnebago 2005-2007, what is the best buy?????
Elle on Wheels said
01:37 AM Dec 21, 2011
My vote is for the coaster everytime but I am biased
Antique Pete said
05:11 AM Dec 21, 2011
Hi I am in the same situation as Peacewalker, narrowed it down a bit to a V.W. or Merc motorhome the buses seem a bit too narrow and cramped for me, I seem to like the bed above the cabin leaving all the space for living area and the shower areas seem to be a bit bigger in the motor homes. The best one is the electric bed but they are a bit pricey and you lose overhead cupboard space. I could be wrong but are the buses a bit heavy on fuel? It will be interesting to hear what the more traveled nomads think P.s. Elle noticed your posting time, you have trouble sleeping too?
peacewalker said
07:22 AM Dec 21, 2011
thanks for your opinions, such a big decision to make and I'm sure there are others in the same situation. I prefer the coaster too.
bill12 said
07:23 AM Dec 21, 2011
I have a winnabego slide on , and can tell you that the bed is very comfortable. The downstairs part is useable , and can only be much bigger in a larger van. One with a toilet and/or shower would be nice , but the prices beat me as I need the ute for work Diesel is definately the best,as I get about 9klms to the ltr from my courier with the slide on loaded, which is great.Its up to you, and your bank account. Bill
jonathan said
07:45 AM Dec 21, 2011
Hi Pete ..
Very much a personal choice .. Whatever you choose to buy you will make it your own if you wish to get the most out of it. There are pro's & con's for each as they're capacity varies.
Bed over Cabin: .. great if you dont mind climbing up a ladder each night to get some shuteye .. use mine for storage.
Electric bed: .. Mine is at the rear and have only occasionally raised or lowered .. I much prefer having the bed 'ready-made' at all times so that I can easily crash out at night .. need to think about you real requirement there as more electrical items can also present more 'elec' problems down the road ..
My Fiat Ducato might not be as heavy on fuel as a bus might be, but, think about how much travelling you actually plan to do on a daily basis .. It's all very relative Pete ..
and about cupboard space .. well .. I'm still using just 1 frypan and 1 saucepan as part of my primary kitchen tools after a few years .. (I dont have others to consider) .. no need to start off too big as you can later adjust according to your needs and priorities.
Whatever you choose, you'll adjust as necessary .. and you're gonna enjoy it !
Jon
Antique Pete said
09:10 AM Dec 21, 2011
Thank you for your input Jon, I do plan to live full time on the road, with my dog, my wife and I have decided to call it a day after 32 years we should have done it 10 years ago but wanted to see the kids settled first. Hoping to hit the road mid 2012 plan to free camp as much as possible so will need a well set up rig, solar, shower/toilet the works How do you find the Fiat for spares and servicing, I heard the spare are hard to get and quite expensive. I plan to spend a max of around $110,000 hoping for a late model with some warranty left I have been an Antique and collectable dealer for the last 20 years so plan to buy and sell my way around the block so i do need some stowage space
jonathan said
12:12 PM Dec 21, 2011
I suppose being an imported veicle you will find parts more expensive .. but had some work done recently, under warranty, and parts were accessed overnight from Sydney to Coffs and I was on the road again within 24 hrs ..
Once you've made a decision, you do best to stick with it .. sometimes there are difficulties and sometimes it all just flies ..
I'm happy
Jon
peacewalker said
04:26 PM Dec 21, 2011
Thats true Jon, would like something like your van, just don't think my budget will make it. I was thinking the same, spare parts??? Oh well just keep researching and getting the facts together. And keep picking everybodies brains as I go!!!
Robyn
Elle on Wheels said
01:23 AM Dec 22, 2011
Antique Pete wrote:
P.s. Elle noticed your posting time, you have trouble sleeping too?
Pete I am in WA so 3 hours behind - makes me look like a night owl but really I am not
Antique Pete said
06:46 AM Dec 22, 2011
Bugger these time zones are confusing
AmandaJayne said
05:20 PM Dec 27, 2011
we looked around a lot and decided a coaster is for us... I love my coaster and cant wait to take off on our big trip :)
peacewalker said
01:17 PM Dec 28, 2011
thanks AJ, I like coasters too
sheeds said
05:34 PM Jan 2, 2012
As already mentioned in previous posts - do your research,get the facts,and have a chat with other RVers,both caravanners & Motorhomers. Have a browse through my mate's website he's trying to get up and going after some devastating experiences with a certain brand of Motorhome!! I don't know how to "do a link" to click on ,but the address is: www.motorhomebuyertips.com
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:48 PM Jan 2, 2012
Bus bodies are not ideal for MHs in my view. That said, the Coaster is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road and you will see them in every corner of this country. They are the bus of choice for remote Aboriginal communities. They are justifiably popular.
Cheers, Peter
dogbox said
11:24 AM Jan 3, 2012
antique pete
with a buget of 110 k you have a lot of options open to you
new ute 50,000 new caravan 60,000 110,000
near new motor home 100,000
coaster bus 25-75,000
you are going to trade your way around country how are you going to carry your goods a trailer behind the bus or motorhome
just keep adding to the list of pros/cons till one option comes out in front
-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012 11:25:29 AM
Antique Pete said
06:23 PM Jan 3, 2012
Hi dogbox planning to cut right down on stock mainly trade in small collectables and jewelery leaving all the big stuff to the ex missis.
Planning to take my guns too I have been shooting comps ( pistol N.R.A.) for over 20 years in Qld and will be able to shoot comps in other states . so will have to install a good sturdy safe.
Hydeeeho said
05:57 PM Jan 17, 2012
Antique Pete wrote:
Thank you for your input Jon, I do plan to live full time on the road, with my dog, my wife and I have decided to call it a day after 32 years we should have done it 10 years ago but wanted to see the kids settled first. Hoping to hit the road mid 2012 plan to free camp as much as possible so will need a well set up rig, solar, shower/toilet the works How do you find the Fiat for spares and servicing, I heard the spare are hard to get and quite expensive. I plan to spend a max of around $110,000 hoping for a late model with some warranty left I have been an Antique and collectable dealer for the last 20 years so plan to buy and sell my way around the block so i do need some stowage space
Hi
For $110000,00 you can buy a brand new Avan Ovation with all the warranties you need plus they have the shower and toilet, so why buy used for that price
Oh everyone so hard what to buy!! Toyota Coaster 1994 approx 100k with new fitout is in my price range or should I concentrate on a Jayco or
winnebago 2005-2007, what is the best buy?????
It will be interesting to hear what the more traveled nomads think
P.s. Elle noticed your posting time, you have trouble sleeping too?
I prefer the coaster too.
Hi Pete ..
Very much a personal choice .. Whatever you choose to buy you will make it your own if you wish to get the most out of it. There are pro's & con's for each as they're capacity varies.
Bed over Cabin: .. great if you dont mind climbing up a ladder each night to get some shuteye .. use mine for storage.
Electric bed: .. Mine is at the rear and have only occasionally raised or lowered .. I much prefer having the bed 'ready-made' at all times so that I can easily crash out at night .. need to think about you real requirement there as more electrical items can also present more 'elec' problems down the road ..
My Fiat Ducato might not be as heavy on fuel as a bus might be, but, think about how much travelling you actually plan to do on a daily basis .. It's all very relative Pete ..
and about cupboard space .. well .. I'm still using just 1 frypan and 1 saucepan as part of my primary kitchen tools after a few years .. (I dont have others to consider) .. no need to start off too big as you can later adjust according to your needs and priorities.
Whatever you choose, you'll adjust as necessary .. and you're gonna enjoy it !
Jon
I do plan to live full time on the road, with my dog, my wife and I have decided to call it a day after 32 years we should have done it 10 years ago but wanted to see the kids settled first.
Hoping to hit the road mid 2012 plan to free camp as much as possible so will need a well set up rig, solar, shower/toilet the works
How do you find the Fiat for spares and servicing, I heard the spare are hard to get and quite expensive.
I plan to spend a max of around $110,000 hoping for a late model with some warranty left
I have been an Antique and collectable dealer for the last 20 years so plan to buy and sell my way around the block so i do need some stowage space
I suppose being an imported veicle you will find parts more expensive .. but had some work done recently, under warranty, and parts were accessed overnight from Sydney to Coffs and I was on the road again within 24 hrs ..
Once you've made a decision, you do best to stick with it .. sometimes there are difficulties and sometimes it all just flies ..
I'm happy
Jon
I was thinking the same, spare parts??? Oh well just keep researching and getting the facts together.
And keep picking everybodies brains as I go!!!
Robyn
Pete I am in WA so 3 hours behind - makes me look like a night owl but really I am not
That said, the Coaster is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road and you will see them in every corner of this country. They are the bus of choice for remote Aboriginal communities.
They are justifiably popular.
Cheers,
Peter
antique pete
with a buget of 110 k you have a lot of options open to you
new ute 50,000
new caravan 60,000
110,000
near new motor home 100,000
coaster bus 25-75,000
you are going to trade your way around country how are you going to carry your goods a trailer behind the bus or motorhome
just keep adding to the list of pros/cons till one option comes out in front
-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012 11:25:29 AM
Hi dogbox planning to cut right down on stock mainly trade in small collectables and jewelery leaving all the big stuff to the ex missis.
Planning to take my guns too I have been shooting comps ( pistol N.R.A.) for over 20 years in Qld and will be able to shoot comps in other states . so will have to install a good sturdy safe.