Subject: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:48 pm
Hi everyone, I am a newcomer to this forum and I thought I'd say hello and introduce myself. My name is Rob and I live near Tunbridge Wells, West Kent
I do not own any camper...yet. I have recently retired and my wife plans to join me in this happy state early next year at which time we plan to see a bit more of this lovely country of ours in a camper van. We have just started the research (dreaming) phase of this process but are quickly whittling down our options.
We had a good friend who worked for Bilbo's and he always spoke highly of their conversions so, as it is only a handful of miles away, we have looked over their gleaming T5 delights. But then we became more and more aware of the good old T2 (nothing like it to raise a smile) so started to look at those too.
We will need a fairly reliable set of wheels (I am a willing but incompetent mechanic!) so we had a visit to VWKampers to see what they do to older vans and plan a similar trip to G'Day. But then became aware of the fact that these things are still made! And that is when I found this site and this has opened up new horizons.
I like the fact that this forum presents a worts'n'all view of the BrazilBay. I am also impressed that the importer and converter Danbury takes part. We are heading to the West Country in September so will try to book a test drive and showroom tour as part of this trip. BUT from this distance these bright shiny things look mighty fine!
Choices, choices! Do we go with with the head (T5 with its modern drive train, galvanised build and mechanics) or with the heart (new build T2, may be temperamental and need additional care and attention but so much fun to be had)? Time will tell and I'll let you know.
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:55 pm
Hi & Welcome Plenty of info on here to help you decide But we would say a BraziBayT2 will be 'smiles' better than the rest New or second hand, Air Cooled or Water Cooled Rooby Roo
________________________________________________________________________________ Proud winners of Spike's Trophy 2017
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TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14337 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:02 pm
You've come to the right spot.
Do you think you'd find a bunch of T5 owners doing this?
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
castleb
Cabin : Economy Posts : 4 Join date : 2012-06-25
Subject: Would T5 Owners do this? Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:08 pm
Probably not....T5 it is then!
Thanks Tim, it made me laugh out loud
Just looked at the Sleepover vid too - seems like you are a nice bunch of people
Rob
dizzylizard
Cabin : Exec 018 Location : Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts and Bristol Posts : 2241 Join date : 2011-09-20
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:47 pm
Hi and welcome.
castleb wrote:
Probably not....T5 it is then!
I would say that any problems that arise can, and are, generally sorted.
Good luck in your quest, and whatever you decide, (hopefully it will be a Brazi) enjoy, we certainly are.
Tallulah
Cabin : Flight 011 Location : South Somerset, UK Posts : 5101 Join date : 2011-06-05
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:49 pm
We too are tempted by the T5 but as functional as it is, it just doesn't have the same style or appeal as a T2.
Lots of owners hired a camper first to help them make a decision.
If this is something you might be interested in then drop me a line and we'll work out a special forum member rate for you.
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:54 pm
Welcome to the forum
Think everyone here is going to say get a Brazzy T2. Yes they have there niggles but that's all part of owning one. Believe me you wont have half as much fun with a T5
Cabin : Exec 012 Location : wales Posts : 3117 Join date : 2009-10-16
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:36 pm
Hi and welcome Brazilian bay all the way you know it makes sense you will have a lots of fun
Matt
Cabin : Club Location : Eastleigh Posts : 883 Join date : 2010-03-28
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:47 pm
Hello Rob, welcome to the forum. Hopefully you will find enough information here to help you in your choice. We had the same thoughts as you are having. What swayed us was that while test driving a T4 then, we both felt we could have been in any vehicle, and we knew that if we were camping and a T2 was next to us, we would spend the time looking lovingly at their vehicle and not ours. The T2 is a style choice, it will bring you great pleasure, even with its 'character building' points. If you have always looked lovingly at old vw's and dreamed the dream, then it is deffinately for you. If not, and you just want a camper that is practical, then really the T5 is for you.
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:31 pm
Obviously we're all biased but Alison and I have had permagrins since we bought Absinthe last August.
At first we wondered what we'd done as the drive was "unusual" but very quickly we were smitten. We use her almost every weekend from spring onwards and we're having an absolute blast.
I'd take Tallulahs offer up and hire one for a weekend. I predict you'll be sold straightaway.
Oh and a warm welcome to the forum which is the font of all BraziBay knowledge...
________________________________________________________________________________ Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder
Blog: C13MPR
Finalist in the Caravan Club Caravanner of the Year Competition 2016
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Last edited by Absinthe on Wed Jun 27, 2012 9:37 pm; edited 1 time in total
jj123vw
Cabin : Business Location : Bristol Posts : 1545 Join date : 2009-09-30
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:31 pm
Hello and welcome from all at Danbury .... We look forward to showing you both the best T5's and T2's around... This forum is full of great people and lots of help should you need it....Seeing the UK in a camper van is great way of enjoying your retirement !
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:51 pm
Good Luck with your decision and welcome to the forum
stoneyuk
Cabin : Club Location : Aldershot, Hampshire Posts : 323 Join date : 2010-07-11
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 10:07 pm
Hi from Aldershot - Eva our aircooled kombi is currently sick and being cared for but will soon be back on the road.
Skytiger
Cabin : Exec 008 Location : Central Scotland Posts : 1792 Join date : 2010-09-04
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 10:29 pm
Welcome to the forum and good luck with deciding, but I reckon a trial run in both T2 and T5 should make up your mind.
castleb
Cabin : Economy Posts : 4 Join date : 2012-06-25
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 10:43 pm
Wow! Thank you all for the warm welcome and encouragement.
I will be taking time to read through the forum and I will contribute where I can. Given the support already provided I will be certain to ask more questions. The suggestion of a hire vehicle is well taken and we will be following this up. We will also be in contact with Danbury to explore that particular avenue.
Cheers for now
Rob
Skytiger
Cabin : Exec 008 Location : Central Scotland Posts : 1792 Join date : 2010-09-04
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:04 pm
Have a look in the Latest Topics section on right hand side of the forum, Tim's just found a 2005 Air-bus for £16500. Not hinting at all
castleb
Cabin : Economy Posts : 4 Join date : 2012-06-25
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:15 pm
Oh my!
Well it shows that when we do decide - temptation will hard to resist
Subject: Re: Hello from a newcomer from Kent Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:58 pm
We also went through the same decision-making - I had planned a T5 conversion, lined up a local firm etc -------but it was not quite right ----- enthusiasm from the rest of the family was muted to say the least. I just couldn't finalise it - retirement was 1-2 years ahead - still time - still time. Then I found Danbury site and the old-new intrigue - and finally we went visiting with one of our youngsters - who had to be involved as this was to be a truly family affair. We saw the amazing line-up that is always outside - T2s everywhere and then time into the show-room, the "back-room" and even sat in a T5 to ensure we were not being stupid!! Yes it is absolutely true that our new van is smaller than a T5 on the outside, but bigger and roomier on the inside! So a new T2 it had to be - bought and insured for all the family to use at anytime. It has been great reliving our previous ownership of an original T2 but now with reliability built in (nearly!) I completely recommend Danbury for all that has been said before - helpfulness, skills and enduring enthusiasm!! (- thank you big-D)
Enjoy making your choice, enjoy the anticipation and all the waves you get whenever you drive if you go T2!
