Expert advice on buying and running an older motorhome
The term ‘budget buy’ is frequently used to describe motorhomes and campervans in the bargain basement end of the scale of used motorhome purchases. Let’s face it, not everyone has a huge pension pot that they can cash in to purchase their dream motorhome, and not everyone wants to go down the finance route, hence the very active market in that sub-£10k bracket.
This is quite often the territory many first-time buyers find themselves in, that hard-working family or couple who aspire to owning a leisure vehicle, but do not have the finances to purchase a new, or nearly new model.
So, what options are out there for those with a budget of £10,000?
If your motorhome knowledge is limited or non-existent, and/or if you have limited mechanical skills, then please take someone with you who does have the knowledge, or get an independent report if you find a vehicle you wish to purchase.
It’s likely that someone looking for a first-time purchase in that sub-£10k bracket will not be searching for an example from the 1960s or 70s, they will be after a more modern classic.
Three base vehicles should be serious contenders: Ford Transit, VW T4 and Talbot Express/MKI Fiat Ducato. Having used and owned examples of all three, in both motorhome and campervans formats, I would say that the Transit offers the best driver comfort, and that ‘banana’ diesel engine is by far the best option in terms of both power and mpg.
The VW T4 offers a very comfortable drive on long journeys, with the 2.5TD motor being the best option.
The Talbot Express is third simply because it lacks the overall driver comfort of the other two, with a less precise gear change. It feels much older than the Transit and VW to drive, but remains popular on the used market, with many options at realistic prices.
When it comes to conversion choice, that is down to a buyer’s requirements: motorhome or smaller campervan; how many berths; diesel or petrol; and then, of course, condition and price.
With that £10k price cap, buyers could do a lot worse than looking at the Auto-Sleeper range available from the late 1980s and through the 90s. Together with Holdsworth and Autohomes, a vast array of different models on the Transit, VW T4 and Talbot/ Fiat were produced.
From a pop-top Sportsman to a Talisman Executive motorhome on the Talbot, and a pop-top Trooper to a Clubman GL motorhome on the T4, with similar Ford Transit options, Auto
