Kombi Beach one year on.

[BrianJ]

I am pleased to read that you love your Beach. When they were originally released I thought they would be more popular than they turned out to be.
I thought they would be fun to set up the way that some of you on here have to suit idividual requirements. Judging by the UK forums there are hundreds of owners buying used vans & converting them for camping.
In Aust. most of the travellers seem to want a motorhome, the bigger the better. The problem with them, apart from being expensive, is they are dedicated for holidays & not much use for anything else. The advantage of the T4 & T5 is there versatility. One can go shopping & park in underground carparks, drive to work/theatre etc,hang a trailer on the back for trips to the tip/metal recycling, carry large objects that won't fit in a car or stationwagen as well as holidaying.
I am predicting a return to vans for camping particularly with younger people.

Your common sense is ahead of its time, and I agree completely with what you have said.

The beach is such incredible good value. I suspect that the people you refer to who are building their own camper are doing it for the fun of the challenge, because I think it will end up costing way more to get the same equipment set.

I have got tinted windows, secondary battery system, cruise control, swiveling captains seat, stablisation control, top quality high speed tyres on alloy rims, and efficient turbo diesel with six speed tiptronic auto and all the camping equipment already built to suit the purpose.

If I was to buy a new transporter or perish the thought a Hi-ace, by the time I had equiped it the cost would have far exceeded what I paid, and it still wouldn't have much of the hi-tech extras that were already in the beach as standard.

I also thought they would do better than they did for sales, but if you are right, they may be highly sought after one day.

I think the full motor home type vehicle is highly impractical, and have no intention of moving away from the moderate sized van.

Good to hear from a like minded person.

Brian

[rob64981]

This comment made me smile....

"I am predicting a return to vans for camping particularly with younger people."

Thanks Jets...Its 730am and im smiling ....oh and its Christmas eve.

Brian you said...

"Good to hear from a like minded person."

Shame the whole world is not like us!

Rob

[jets]

Rob, we get to open our presents before you up there. in just over an hour. Have a Merry Christmas & hopefully next year you will be down under with us.

[tapsy]

The advantage of the T4 & T5 is there versatility. One can go shopping & park in underground carparks, drive to work/theatre etc,hang a trailer on the back for trips to the tip/metal recycling, carry large objects that won't fit in a car or stationwagen as well as holidaying.

jets that is the key i think the versatility! we hav'nt yet gone camping but we use the van as a commuter with all those extra benefits you mentioned or any other excuse to jump in and go for a drive
Merry Christmas all and a safe and happy new year!!!

[shogun2]

We also have not yet gone camping. However, the T5 Highline is my main work vehicle, and over time will be tricked out to allow some major trips in the near future.
I have a business trip planned in the new year - Adelaide to Noosa and back. Will need a bull/nudge bar and driving lights for this.

Merry post Xmas sales everyone!

[ClubCoconut]

I can only say that my Beach has been the best car I have ever owned. Its like it was purpose built for me so I am expecting a long and loving relationship.

Jeff

[BrianJ]

I can only say that my Beach has been the best car I have ever owned. Its like it was purpose built for me so I am expecting a long and loving relationship.

Jeff

Just noticed this thread had popped up again, and I still agree with your thought having owned our beach now for about 3 years. Its done 100,000km and goes as good as the day we bought it. We have just spent a week at Mooloolaba in it at the camping grounds there.

Last year we travelled around Australia in it, a distance of 20,000km, with no trouble and returning 8L/100km fully loaded. It would be impossible to find anything else that comes near it for the purpose of a light camper.

This year we are planning a trip up through the centre of Australia, should take about 8 weeks.

How are other owners going with their beach.

Brian

[vannin]

As the others have said, glad you enjoy and use you beach. I dont understand why they didnt take off. The original air cooled is an icon for many reasons maybe its the cost factor?
I loved my T4 and from what I hear T5s are even better.
Nik

[MultiplexMan]

I have been very happy with my Beach. I purchased the Beach as I was after windows, dual battery, air con, auto and the electric comfort pack. It was a lot cheaper to buy a Beach than spec up a Transporter at the time.

I personally would have preferred a California but am not sure if I would have paid the extra (+50K) asked for one...