Have decided after much deliberation I need to look for a larger van. Now that I'm going to be on the road full time I need something bigger. So I'm going to do a yeoeleven.
Will get my son in Geelong to help me find one. Either one of those coasters, the Mazda blue and white ones or something else of a similiar size.
Saw a couple of good ones on EBay tonight and a Toyota commuter all between $10,000 and $15,000.
Marj tell your son, there is a coaster for sale in a truck yard Portarlinton road geelong opposite the salt work, I have only driven past it but it looks a clean unit, and is camper converted, also has the mesh security screens on all windows ?? Sorry don't know if petrol or Diesel or the $$$$ value
Thanks Dazren, will let Michael know that. He did send me details of one advertised in the Independent but was $35,000.
Will get him to check out this one you saw at the salt works.
Thanks Lynda, will do that as well.
Also, check the web sites for companies like Roberts Winnebago in Melbourne, and Sydney RV - the NSW Winnebago dealers. Both get good trade ins from people upgrading to "posh" motorhomes (said tongue in cheek, before I get jumped on!). We got our Coaster from Roberts. I think they were prepared to do a good deal just to avoid having lots of used non-Winnies cluttering up their space. We got a price reduction, reversing camera put on (Driver's insistence). They didn't do the roadworthy until they had a sale (30 day duration in Vic, so can see why), but when done faults found were rectified by them - brakes, couple of tyres. They then did a full service before we took it over - and we have a 2 year mechanical warranty, on a vehicle that had 240,000kms on the speedo. One like ours wasn't cheap, but a friend of ours got a Coaster from Roberts at the same time, very cheaply. It was a bit older, had a home-done fit out - but he has driven it regularly from Melb to Lightning Ridge with no issues.
A good thing about Coasters is that parts are so readily available, because so much Toyota stuff is interchangeable. Also there are lots of mechanics who know Toyotas. Having had a Landrover 4WD, believe me, that is very important!!!
If you are upsizing - watch the weight, especially with a long wheel base Coaster. Some go over the magic 4.5 tonnes that mean an upgraded driving licence.
Thanks Wendy, have checked out cmca. Saw what looked to be a good one for $19,000. Will get Michael to check it out tomorrow. Can't be too far from Geelong as phone number starts with 03 51 Geelong is 03 52.
Will tell him about Roberts also. Will have to watch that weight. Don't want to have to upgrade my license.
Hi Marj, sounds a good idea for what you are doing now. Keep in mind though that the Toyota Commuter is not much bigger than you already have, similar vehicle really with higher roof. I think the Coaster is the way to go for sure. A bit far for you but there is a nice one here in Batemans Bay for sale, not sure of details sorry, looks OK sitting on the side of the road.
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I bought mine very cheaply but it had no rego or roadworthy, neither did it have a compliance plate converting it to a mobile home.
The weight was an issue but once it has been complianced to motor home status the engineer reduced the GVM to under 4500, as Wendy said it is an issue but can be solved.
Good luck with your search, I found many adverts on Gumtree and eBay if you select Australia wide you will get a good cross section to give you some comparisons.
Janette - you asked about fuel usage on Coaster. On our recent trip, we did average of 5.8 kms per litre, and we were towing the Terios car behind.
Dazren mentions about driving Coaster. I find it pretty good to drive. You just have to remember you are a bit longer than a car and allow for that when turning corners. Also, need to keep the extra height in mind!
The CMCA site can be good because you can get vehicles where ill health or death has caused a sale, but the people have been regular motorhomers, so it is well set up and maintained. Not sure how much I would trust Gumtree sales.
-- Edited by wendyv on Monday 14th of October 2013 05:40:10 PM
Good luck Marj. Good idea for what you have planned. I saw mine on CMCA and it was in Woy Woy which is why I got my son to look at it with a mechanic mate and then had a vehicle check done. I think I was very lucky as it is immaculate and is currently at the mechanics here getting a roadworthy. I hope he does not find anything wrong!!
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Marj, may I suggest ?? that seeing as how both you and John, [ yeoeleven ] will be at Greens Lake soon ?? you wait and have a good look at John's ?? [ NO not that !! I meant his Coaster ] He may even let you have a little drive ?? as from memory they are a Completely different vehicle to drive compared to your Toyota, Not as quite or smooth, and they are a little slow, [ not that you are in any hurry ] But lets face it, John already has one, been there, done that, so there is no body better to advise if the Coaster is the best vehicle to duit your needs ?? Just a suggestion, Good Luck, Dazren
Marj - have you checked out Gumtree? A few on there. And what Dazren says is a good idea - John can tell you the pitfalls, maybe your son could even come up and have a looksee at "The Palace"!!
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Have seen Johns personally, whoops. We parked up together at Kumbia earlier this year.
Its going to be a long slow process finding what I want. Will take on board everybody's suggestions on here.
Barina what make and model is yours, not sure if I worked that out.
At Dalby at the moment.
Do not discount Gumtree, as long as you have the RV inspected and a satisfactory REV's check (PPSR) as part of the deal before settlement (make your deposit subject to you being satisfied with the inspection and REV's check result and if not satisfied deposit to be refunded)
I have sold 5 RV's on Gumtree, all well serviced and looked after and better than the average.
In regards to the CMCA site, the majority of RV's for sale on there I have seen are well overpriced to what you can get elsewhere, that is not to say you may see one that is reasonably priced, but I have never found one there that was.
-- Edited by Duh on Monday 14th of October 2013 10:12:33 PM
Absolutely Ken. This son Michael, is very knowledgeable on the workings of anything and everything. If I'd let him help me in the first place I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now.
What's that in litres per hundred ks Wendy?
I do now with Myrtle, am aware of height and length as had a little Hyundai Excel before that and had to learn fast there is quite a difference.
If going for a Mazda get the larger engine the 3 or 3.5 handle like a wet sponge as far as pulling up hills I think the 4.0 4.2 is the one that most recommend If going for MH convert make sure it has the compliance plates to give it the MH classification can save hassles down the track
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What's that in litres per hundred ks Wendy? I do now with Myrtle, am aware of height and length as had a little Hyundai Excel before that and had to learn fast there is quite a difference.
I think is is about 17 litres for 100kms?? Feel free to correct the maths, anyone.
] He may even let you have a little drive ?? as from memory they are a Completely different vehicle to drive compared to your Toyota, Not as quite or smooth, and they are a little slow, [ not that you are in any hurry ] But lets face it, John already has one, been there, done that, so there is no body better to advise if the Coaster is the best vehicle to duit your needs ?? Just a suggestion, Good Luck,
Dazren 
