ARE YOU BETTER OFF GETTING A CONVERSION? Volkswagen California T6.1

[@ameliaautomotive]

I’ll be testing the NEW CALIFORNIA next week. I’m super excited!! Make sure to subscribe for the content and let me know if there’s anything specifically you’d like to know. 😊

[@jonmortermusic]

I'll be interested to see what you think as I reckon the old design still seems better

[@Trevor.Adams640]

We’ve had our T6 California for 5 years and it’s been great. Had so many holidays, been everywhere in the UK in it. We go away about once a month. We cook in our van, no problem with smells, though we also have a small gas powered barbecue for cooking outside. You can get thermal covers for the pop top to keep it warmer. We use our van all year and have slept in the pop top in freezing conditions. You can leave the heating on a low setting at night, and it heats the downstairs and upstairs. We’ve been away 50-60 times in it, over 200 nights away. You can go away for a week for a couple of hundred pounds in campsite fees, and you save a lot by being able to cook your own meals. I’m 65 and have no trouble getting into the upstairs bed. There a a fold up ladder you can buy which fits between the front seats. They are a lot of money to buy, but they hold their value very well. Ours is worth almost as much as we paid for it 5 years ago.

[@shapneil9862]

Got one six months ago through drive the deal. Five years warranty and service package. Hefty deposit allowed 5 years 0% finance. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Just got back from a tour of Europe France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and back. So many positives to the vehicle MPH, drivability, Functionality. Whilst the comments about high initial costs are valid v other vehicles there are few that have as high residual values so overall costs of ownership are very good.

[@ameliaautomotive]

How amazing!! Hope you have many more trips in it!! 😊

[@martyngarner7961]

A few things, when you buy one, the rear shelf wasn't fitted right hence it was loose. The bed is easy to move if you sit on it and walk it forward,you dont need to plug the van in to use the heater. Go 2nd hand and save a packet. Levelling blocks are mostly unnecessary . You opened the door to allow air in when lifting the roof but left the hatch closed.also ALWAYS use the legs on the awning when out. I paid 46k for mine

[@gunner81uk]

Just got back from Scotland having spent 10 nights in this and was really impressed. Such a joy to drive. Drove from Swansea to Loch Lomond with just one stop for coffee and had no driver fatigue whatsoever. Don't think I'd ever be able to afford one of my own but great for rental.

[@johnsouthern9562]

Had my Cali over 2 years now, just love the flexibility of use and the ability to park like a normal car….. worth every (of the many) pennies……bought it outright so I don’t feel any pain each month, it makes life an adventure and me feel like a big kid in a toy. I went a bit crazy buying several awnings and tons of accessories, use a trailer for the longer stays for the kit, and bought a Keter 1200 litre storage unit for all the other items to keep them out of the garage….a bit OTT but it works. The best thing I added was getting VW commercial to add the Westfalia removable tow bar, it allows the trailer, and the Thule bike rack (removing the restricting bungs to allow it to clear the rear door with the bikes in place)…… and the 7 speed DSG auto and adaptive cruise control is a must; makes driving easy and safe. I would highly recommend a cali over a conversion, although less personal they hold their value, the QC is guaranteed, the design has been fully crash tested, the power loom and equipment is all rated correctly, the panels fit perfectly and there are no squeaks or rattles, and there is no silicone sealant which will dry up and cause things to come loose. Having looked at conversions before I felt there was too much risk of paying stacks of cash for a vehicle which may end up a lemon, and the manual option is definitely to be avoided if you can afford to go auto…..it takes all the stress out of driving in your ‘captain’s chair’.

[@CrazyCalifornia]

I’ve had an Ocean 72 plate from new. I cook pot noodles, porridge, pasta, pack meals in the van and plenty of brews. I also carry a lot of fruit my fridge is on level 2 only, ever. I need the kitchen when I get back from hiking and it tells you not to cook with your bed down who would ? Up top is the best bed anyway. If we take our grand kids x 2 we take our air awning and cook meals in that for the kids.its not a home it’s a camp van. Treat it like a luxury tent. No I won’t be getting another version they look Cr”p, I’d go back packing again if needed. Great and honest review from your perspective 😊 we are all unique 😜

[@shanewaller2864]

Hi amelia, I have a 2022 204 t6.1 lwb dsg highline kombi camper swamper from from Van Haven. My van was fully built to my needs, it's a full bespoke transporter in revena blue. It's by far the best vehicle we have ever owned. It does absolutely everything, and we could wish for more .

[@ameliaautomotive]

Sounds great. Hope you have many adventures in it! 😊

[@shanewaller2864]

@ameliaautomotive I bought the van brand new 2 years ago, it had 11 miles on the clock ,the day we collected it from Dorset we went to Wales for a week camping, then 6 weeks later we went to Germany staying in cochem. On my birthday August the 18th 2022 the van was only 7 weeks old when it went out on the nurburgring for the 1st time, we have been back to Germany twice since ,done the North coast 500 twice Been to France, Belgium the Netherlands and Ireland in that time ,plus countless trips to Dorset Wales Cornwall, Yorkshire Norwich and Southwold. And in 10 days time we are heading back to Ireland. We have covered almost 30,000 miles in big blue ,my van was on the DadCars channel recently you can't miss it ,its the one with the stripes lights big wheels and the blue Peter badge on the passenger seat .I really hope you manage to get yourself a t6.1 camper you won't regret ot for a second 🤟👍

[@sonminorimitsuu2838]

Best review I have ever seen on an Ocean...thank you.

[@myplacecalifornia]

We love our Cali👍

[@steves5382]

Decided to go down the Crafter conversion route, we just couldn't stand up and move in the T6, lovely vehicle just not enough space for 2 and a dog.

[@markuserikssen]

Looks like a great campervan. Just wish it was cheaper! Great video btw.

[@colinsavidge9121]

When opening or closing the roof make sure the cover is pulled back to allow the air to flow in and out.

[@stephenkeen1384]

It is an intriguing proposition, but the price is somewhat eye-watering. I feel a conversion would appeal to more, even while giving up a bit of OEM practicality. 😊

[@yodavdarth]

Conversion owner here, imo the way to go cheaper and you can have it your way, also with a conversion you can have the sliding door on the pavement side

[@kevinrowe456]

I’m glad I went for a conversion, so much cheaper and much better in my opinion apart from the motorised roof which would be a plus.

[@ameliaautomotive]

You can definitely customise it more!

[@pl4819]

How about rear climate? Do you suffer from not having it with rear passengers?

[@cliffwit]

Great video and very informative thank you.

[@ameliaautomotive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mk2_Nath]

Would love one of these one day!

[@davidlee6055]

Would not entertain a car of any sort,our California is our only vehicle and goes everywhere,multistory car parks not an issue mostly,get some decent tyres and you won’t get stuck on camp sites,we never have after using Michelin cross climate tyres.44 mpg,using adaptive cruise control on motorway,brilliant,

[@robertcook2572]

I agree. When I look at what people pay for Range Rovers, and other top 4x4s, that can do nothing that a Morris Marina can't do, I get a feeling of immense satisfaction.

[@mkdons22]

I would have a cheap run around I wouldn't want to put unnecessary miles on my camper

[@JuliusCesar-fy9mk]

The T6.1 worth the money due to he is one "normal car" with a big sleeping space up to 2mx1,60m and this is even with bigger trucks very rare.

[@scottkinghorn6971]

The rear shelves are very sturdy but you have not got it fitted correctly. There are 4 supports for it. When you make up the lower bed, you should push it back after you lower the seat so it meets the rear shelf.

[@ameliaautomotive]

Ah that’s good to know! Thank you ☺️

[@scottkinghorn6971]

Good review. We always sleep up top and leave downstairs for eating/lazing. Pretty sure it’s only 1.9m wide as it’s about the same size as our Audi. Maybe 2.3 incl the wing mirrors?

[@12345678941160]

Bought a usedT5 180HP 4-motion with rebuild engine (due EGR issues) L2H2 version a while ago, rebuild it to an L- seat/bed version with kitchen and fridge. So, no so-called Rock and roll bed. Furthermore, all kind of special extras like leather seats and leather steering wheel + radio and camera etc. So for the half of the price I have the same (or I dare even say more) camper van then the original. Next month the van is getting a 2-tone spray job so it will, be looking like a brand-new car. And that for whole less money. The only downside is when we want to sell it, it's not an original VW camper. But hé we want to use it for many years. We use it just for weekend trips, but if we had the : 1. time for longer trips (read longer then 1 week) 2. the money to spend I think it would be more interesting to buy a 540 or 600 camper van with a bed at the back side and a little bathroom! But yes it's a great improvement rather than using a tent.

[@davidjwack]

Have got Renault Trafic 1.6. campervan. For the price I could have got a motorhome. Can get into parking bays also under most height barriers with my campervan.

[@jenny80myles]

I have heard Scotchgard or similar products work well on fabric seats. Not sure if it's available in the UK.

[@ameliaautomotive]

Ah yes we do have that here!

[@JohnYoung-m4j]

Hi did you say £80,000 it’s a tiny camper ridiculous but a couple of days maybe. Useless for us in Australia just to small. And at $160.000 it’s crazy 😢😢 Jon🇦🇺

[@robertcook2572]

It's a camper - not a motorhome. It's the only vehicle you need. Anything bigger means that you have to factor in the costs of at least two vehicles.

[@Navillu554]

Totally agree, this is my every day drive. If I owned a motor home I would also need a car. Twice the maintenance, Road tax, insurance, and general running cost. Yes they are expensive but cheaper than owning a motor home and small family car.

[@steve_and_lolas_hikes]

Whoever pays that for a VW camper needs their heads testing......scandalous.

[@lequimper]

Ok that’s me then. Actually paid £10k less for new than the £80k in the video. Love it and (for us) worth every penny and the best vehicle we have ever had. Makes me sooo happy every time we go away. Horses for courses I guess, but this thoroughbred is the one for us!

[@littleowltelevision1418]

I think new standard transporter van would cost 35 k , an average conversion with pop up roof , and all in cali could cost up to 30 k I hazard a guess. Anyone got any conversion figures worked out ?? Plus I feel a factory fit is better ??

[@pauldobb6199]

So that's X10 what I paid for my T5.1 day van. You still cook outside under an awning and my full width bed is more accommodating. I think I'll keep my £72k change and buy a gti for the weekends 🤣

[@ameliaautomotive]

Fair 😂

[@callumhoskins4028]

Conversions definetly offer better value for money

[@margaretbell5028]

Cost of ownership is totally dependent on depreciation rate, the California has the lowest depreciation of any mass produced vehicle in the UK for good reason, conversions are not even close.

[@callumhoskins4028]

@@margaretbell5028 Not even close? I sold my van for more than I paid for it, as it was an established converter & higher spec base van than most Californias. California’s are also now well in excess of £60,000 to buy. How is that value for money? Spending £30k on a well specced conversion & investing the other £30k in a good interest bank account, rental property or index fund cancels out depreciation.

[@margaretbell5028]

@@callumhoskins4028 Good for you, obviously a £30K conversion is going to be really spiffy, hardly any stuck on carpet or non-crash tested plywood kitchen units. Presumably the triple zone automatic AC was also standard on your higher spec van, builders vans are just so fabulous these days.

[@callumhoskins4028]

@@margaretbell5028 It’s certainly spiffy yes. Black Alcantara, instead of hearing aid beige carpet. Crash tested Evo design furniture, with a crash tested RIB bed. & since when was a Kombi a builders van? If you’re happy to spend an extra £30k just to get Air con in the rear, you need to go get your head checked Margaret, as you’re clearly insane😂.

[@PaulKinrade]

Wow! £80,000 to be a member of the VW, I’ve been ripped off club. How can you possibly justify that cost? Give me a £10,000 Mazda Bong, Nissan Elgrand or Toyota Granville any day of the week. I can also have 7x 5 • round the World holidays. Hey but fashion dictates! Can’t be seen in anything less on my Bank Holiday weekend in Abersoch! Chin, chin!

[@chrisaskham5754]

Don’t open the pop up with the slide hatch closed 🤦‍♂️

[@ameliaautomotive]

Why the side hatch? It’s fine as long as you have any door open ?

[@briangentle5515]

@@ameliaautomotive I think the comment was about the sliding hatch just above you when you are in the driver's seat. That needs to be slid back to allow air into the space which is created as the roof starts to rise... Otherwise a super van. We had a VW Joker, a camper of the 1980s. Obviously not as many electrical toys as today, but we loved it. Sadly health issues would preclude another one; we certainly couldn't get upstairs any more!

[@ameliaautomotive]

Ah yes of course - thanks! Wow bet that was good fun. I don’t blame you it’s difficult to get into for someone without health issues. The downstairs bed is still a good option though! 😊

[@Mark-ec3lp]

Nice, but way overpriced.

[@ameliaautomotive]

I do feel like the price is the only issue with this!

[@0836whimper]

But the true cost to you is deprecation rather than purchase price. And they are great at that. And they can be used as a camper or as a daily car, as so really great value for money overall.

[@stevenhearnden6103]

Get a Nissan Elgrand instead, better looking, faster and a lot, lot cheaper 😂

[@neilchapman5145]

It’s a typical vw approved camper conversion. A bland sea of grey with insufficient amenities

[@Navillu554]

It’s not a VW approved camper conversion, it’s made by VW in its own VW group factory. Making obtaining OEM parts for the interior very easy for years to come unlike 3rd party conversions.

[@michaelglendenning4100]

😲 80? Ha ha