I've had my bus now for about two years. I'd always wanted one, and when I sold my last car, the cash from that and a couple of £k went on buying a bus. I never test drove one, never really looked around them, just went with what was recommended (good, solid, US Westy). I've been to France in it about three times now, and I don't know if it's just coz France is a big country, but it seems to take FOREVER in the bus to get anywhere! Yesterday we drove to Paris in the family car, and the drive was so much more enjoyable, sitting at 80mph, stopping for fuel (instead of leg/bum/neck/arm stretching)and generally feeling more relaxed driving a modern vehicle. I'm enjoying the campervan life, and not sure where I enjoy the campervan life more than the bus. In which case, would I be mad in thinking about getting a T5?! Ah, the mpg, the warmth, the reliability (?!?!).
I adopt a completely different mind set when I drive any older car, it's about the journey and the actual driving experience for me, I hate motorways in the bus and plan journeys to avoid them wherever possible.
I used to say that when I first started. "It's not how quick you get there, it's about the journey".... Maybe I'm too impatient, but I enjoy the camping bit more, and just wanna get there quickly now!
get a tent chuck it in your warm fast economical car n..........................................................
I drive it at around 70mph (speedo speed) with occasional 80mph burst, but that's nothing compared to something that can sit at (actual) 70-80 comfortably.
Stop taking the motorway and enjoy a slow twisting route to a destination, make the journey part of the holiday not just the final destination.
It has to be the enjoyment of a classic.....we also drive other old stuff, for example a Ghia.... a Porsche is way faster but I love the drive of the Ghia....when my bay let me down last year we went to Paris in the Split....the journey was awesome..too ages, bloody noisy, children even moaned it was hot with the sunroof open lol.....we love camping as well and when we got there (to the campsite(s)) - camping was the same for us as everyone else in their modern cars, it had nothing to do with the old bus that got us there...We've got a T4 as well and it's awesome.. a newer alternative..something to use everyday but the bay, the split is all part of the journey sometimes as fun as the destination....
In a modern vehicle you can choose a destination far far away and just drive there at a steady 85mph+ all day, stopping occasionally for fuel and a wee. The countryside you are passing is simply in the way of the final destination, and must be defeated as fast as possible. In an old van you really need to pick several destinations, all on the way to the final destination. The countryside becomes something you look at and stop in and enjoy. You get to see weird French towns with strangely flowery roundabouts. You get slightly less time at the final destination, but can have at least as much fun in the random places in the way. That said, the flat wheat fields of northern France do get a bit wearing, so there is a balance to be struck. I enjoy driving the van and the slower journeys. When I stop enjoying this, I'd sell up and buy a merc, Vito or sprinter depending how much room I want.
Or in it, and make the journey in two halves . We do Cornwall from Derbyshire in two stretches now and it's great ....too much in one go , What with stock seats too .