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I am 32, my husband is 35 and we have two daughters aged 2 1/2 and 1. We are just starting doing some research into buying a motorhome but we're not sure what to look for. We did go to our local dealers (Barrons Chorley) and saw a Laika Ecovip 2.1 from 2001 at £29000. It seemed nice, but we're not sure if this is a wise buy or not, especially with two young children. We also looked at a new Elddis 160, and a CI, but not sure of the model of this one (t had bunks, if that helps ).
We've considered caravans too, but again, not sure which way to go.
Any advice for first timers in our position greatly appreciated.
We've just bought our second m/h... it's no easier the second time around.. We'd physically looked at loads of mhs which was a useful exercise but a bit overwhelming! (info overload...)
I bought a copy of whichmotorcaravan and used their new m/h guide ... each entry has a layout code number which relates to a separate page with diagrams... The main list gives length, engine, weight, price, berths etc
After 3 hours I had a list of possibles (about 10)... we visited dealers to check out the real thing ... exhausting but we learned which ones were definitely out of the running.
Pared the list down to the final three and between us gave them a score out of 5... we bought the one with the highest score of 4.5... we worked from a checklist I'd made up to show which features/accessories were a must have / highly desirable / desirable, it helped to keep our focus
What a relief to find the right one for us.... short lived 'cos then we had to negotiate the deal...
You might be able to get away with 2 or 3 free extras if you're lucky (more if you're used to haggling )
Location: Sitting in front of my computer in South Wales
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Hi,
Hi Clare and welcome.
I think the C I was a Mizar if it had to rear bunks, I had one and it was an excellent family motorhome, however, my children were older than you're two and I'm not sure what use the bunks would be for toddlers.
Just thinking though, there is another C I with a bunk that folds up I think it is one of the Carica/Rivera range, although, I still doubt this would suit.
I would personally look for a motorhome with front dinette and rear lounge, this would suit as you could let the children sleep at one end low down and you and you're husband the other end...
This set up would also be useful when the children need their afternoon nap as you could settle them down and go to the other end of the motorhome.
Little ones such as yours would love the adventure of motorhoming, although at their age they would love a caravan as well.
Take you're time but not to long, this time of the year there are deals to be had, even on second hand vehicles.
Good luck with the search.
MHS...Rob ps ask you're 2 1/2 and 1 yr old if they can see my giraffe
______________________________________________________________ Optical illusion look closely, can you see a giraffe?
"When I was born I was so surprised I couldn’t talk for a year and a half"
Re: new to motorhoming... need some advice please!
I am 32, my husband is 35 and we have two daughters aged 2 1/2 and 1. We are just starting doing some research into buying a motorhome but we're not sure what to look for. We did go to our local dealers (Barrons Chorley) and saw a Laika Ecovip 2.1 from 2001 at £29000. It seemed nice, but we're not sure if this is a wise buy or not, especially with two young children. We also looked at a new Elddis 160, and a CI, but not sure of the model of this one (t had bunks, if that helps ).
We've considered caravans too, but again, not sure which way to go.
Any advice for first timers in our position greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Clare
hi katiemeg, i have just seen a laika 2.1tw 2002 on barrons website for £27,500.
Re: new to motorhoming... need some advice please!
I am 32, my husband is 35 and we have two daughters aged 2 1/2 and 1. We are just starting doing some research into buying a motorhome but we're not sure what to look for. We did go to our local dealers (Barrons Chorley) and saw a Laika Ecovip 2.1 from 2001 at £29000.
Was it the copell branch? i went the other day as i too was looking for a Laika, as when compared to other brands thay are far better.
just got a ecovip 200i 1999 mod on ebay for £16k i have however had to buy blind, as it is in Scotland i hope you have some luck as Laikas seem quite hard to find. I do however know of a 2001 mod that is well looked after in my area only problem is it's again £30k same mod as mine though.
Don't worry - we all get confused over models. I think there have been something like 272 new models launched for 2007
I agree with Rob - at your children's ages, low-level sleeping would be a better bet than an overcab (which are good for children from 5-15 or so).
As far as I know, Laika are a good make - in fact, there's few 'bad' makes around. All have something to offer. Buying new sometimes has its headaches, especially with the snagging that seems to go on between dealer, manufacturer and purchaser. But buying second hand, like you're thinking of, should ensure all manufacturing issues will have been sorted.
I think I would look at as many as possible 'in the flesh'. There's a show coming up down the smoke (London) which should have loads of models on display. Even if you're not in the market for a 2007 van, it gives you an idea of layouts and practicality. When you're thinking of spending that sort of money, it has to be worth investing some time into research.
I think there are people on here representing all brands / makes, and will have something good / bad to say about them. With your budget, you will have a wide choice available.
We have owned two laikas in the past.(about six years ago). The first one, Ecovip 5L we bought new and did have some water ingress around the window in the front overcab. We later upgraded to a low profile 7r again bought new, which we had no problems with at all. Perhaps we were just unlucky with the first one.
Hi, have you had a look at Marquis preston, (chain caul way on docks) they have a good vhoice of motothomes and the staff are very helpful, also Todds in Lostock Hall, you can browse their stock online, Stewart Longtons have also got some on the bypass in Chorley, only not many, we have an older Talbot Harmony and love it, but it wouldnt be big enough for you, we got it from Marquis its worth looking around for prices then you could always haggle the price?, good luck in your quest, hope you find the perfect motorhome for you, Anne & Tony
Welcome to the site Clare, To answer your question over whether to have a caravan or motorhome, with experience of both with young children I have to go for the motorhome,You can always stop and cope with just about any childrens needs and having youngsters cooped up in a car just does not work. An over cab bed is not suitable for kids under 4 in my opinion.your ideal layout would be two separate areas which can be used daytime and convert to the bed layout you need, put the kids furthest from the doors at night time.Then depending upon if you plan on using your own shower and bathroom or use the campsite ones !!! how big a bathroom you need. I also suggest you buy a second hand vehicle as cheap as possible or hire a vehicle to see if your favorite layout will work in practise.
Wish you all the best.
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ps ask you're 2 1/2 and 1 yr old if they can see my giraffe 
But buying second hand, like you're thinking of, should ensure all manufacturing issues will have been sorted.
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