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Post by mamalazaru on Apr 14, 2008 13:45:31 GMT
Hi there Ant
I hope you don't mind me asking (you helped me out with a query about a nu-venture advertised on ebay a couple of weekes ago) I live in Sunny Scarborough and am hoping to venture to see a Romahome in the Manchester area on Wednesday afternoon which is advertised in autotrader.co.uk.
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It is a K reg (1993) Roma Outlook.
55,000 miles, Romahome hytop, much loved, now need bigger vehicle. Good clean condition inside and out. Non smokers. 3 way fridge, cassette toilet, gas, grill and double burners,sink and fresh water tank. taxd MOTd. £5,500. ono.
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I have rung the lady up and asked a couple of questions. I'll give you the lowdown. It has had 3 owners - they have had it for 4 years. Unfortunately it has no recent service history and no habitation checks. It is taxed and tested until the end of June - she says that she is willing to put it through its MOT for another year. She has also said that it has been sealed underneath against rust etc.
It looks very clean inside from the pictures - though I will no doubt see that when I go over. I am initially going on my own.
What are your thoughts on the price and age (it was the low mileage that attracted me) and do you have any tips on what to look out for? Unfortunately Romahomes are few and far between at this end of the country!
any help much appreciated.
Cheers
Mamalazaru (Gill)
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Post by ant on Apr 15, 2008 7:19:57 GMT
Hi Gill.
Firstly a 1993 Romahome will not be an Outlook ( 1st on in late 2001) it will be a C15 Hytop. £5500 is cheaper than a dealer price ( £6500). As you will not get any warranty you need to take up the offer of a new MOT, ask if the timing belt has been changed, if not can it be, if they say no then budget about £150 to get it done asap. You mention it has a cassette toilet, if it has the previous owner (or at least one of them ) has cut a large hole in the body to fit the the cassette, if they meant it has a porta potti all well and good. Lastly lift the bonnet and check the little shelf under the jack and wheel brace on the bulk head has not got too much rust eating it away, then drive it, try and go into some pot holes with the back wheels if theres no nasty clanks tick the box, also just check it has commercially rated tyres not car tyres ( they should be 6 or 8 ply rated to carry at least 495Kg).
Other than that go with your first gut reaction when you see it, its often not far off and after all you're the one who has to bond with it!
Ant
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Post by mamalazaru on Apr 15, 2008 19:56:15 GMT
Hi Ant,
thanks very much again for your help on what to look out for - interesting point about the cassette toilet. I'm really quite excited about my trip out West and if all goes well with the borrowed Sat Nav, may even venture to Somerset on Friday to have a look at a "P" Reg advertised on ebay, so that I have something to compare it with, though still not sure about the reliability of ebay sales.
Anyway thanks again and you’re absolutely right about the gut feeling – of the cars that I have had, the two I have chosen and bought on my own have been the best and most reliable.
will keep you informed
cheers
Gill
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Post by lunnie on Apr 15, 2008 20:29:30 GMT
Ant,
How is the dashboard - back lit?? at night I only have half the speedometer lit and the fuel gauge though that sometimes is in the dark! The clock and the speedometer from 0 - 40mph is unlit. Do I have a bulb out? or is that the norm? Your help as always would be appreciated.
Joan
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Post by playallday on Apr 16, 2008 0:18:49 GMT
though still not sure about the reliability of ebay sales. I bought mine on ebay, and took along a mechanic to check it over for me. I think ebay is like any car auction...there are bargains to be had and there are duffs as well. It's a case of caveat emptor  |
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Post by ant on Apr 16, 2008 7:24:36 GMT
Hi Joan.
There are 4 bulbs behind the dash that light the instruments, 2 for the speedo and one for the clock and fuel gauge. If you pop the facia out ( little holes top sides and bottom) you'll see the black backs to the bulbs, twist them out.
Ant
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Post by jayjay on Apr 16, 2008 8:29:02 GMT
though still not sure about the reliability of ebay sales. I bought mine on ebay, and took along a mechanic to check it over for me. I think ebay is like any car auction...there are bargains to be had and there are duffs as well. It's a case of caveat emptor I bought my Bedford Rascal based romahome on Ebay as well, but didn't take a mechanic! Took a friend who gave it a quick once over though... There were a lot of things wrong with it and it's taken a while to get them right. However, I only paid £1,950 for it, so I was prepared for it to cost a bit more - not as much as it eventually turned out though! |
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Post by lunnie on Apr 16, 2008 11:25:51 GMT
Many thanks Ant, will check them out, must have 2 bulbs out I am thinking.
Joan x
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Post by pendel on Apr 16, 2008 21:35:49 GMT
We got our Romahome off ebay. Paid under 2k for him and travelled with trepidation to Warminster from Essex to collect him. We would have walked away if he had been a rust bucket but we got a bargain, he is a beut. Really nice genuine people met us at the station. Drove him back without a splutter. Had him serviced with new cambelt and away we went. First sleep over was at Wolverly. A great weekend.  |
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Post by jayjay on Apr 17, 2008 7:50:16 GMT
We got our Romahome off ebay. Paid under 2k for him and travelled with trepidation to Warminster from Essex to collect him. We would have walked away if he had been a rust bucket but we got a bargain, he is a beut. Really nice genuine people met us at the station. Drove him back without a splutter. Had him serviced with new cambelt and away we went. First sleep over was at Wolverly. A great weekend. You definately got more of a bargain than I did! LOL! ;D I didn't know mine had been a rust bucket until 'extensively welded' before MOT. I actually phoned the MOT place in Leeds and demanded a full explanation, as the test had been abandoned the first time the owner had taken it in. The chap remembered the MOT and told me he was impressed with the welding and that it should last for some time. But the chap who sold it didn't say a dickie bird about that bit to me when I bought it. |
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Post by mamalazaru on Apr 29, 2008 15:24:22 GMT
.... so close.... !
I was this close to buying one and I just couldn't bring myself to do it - it was 300 miles away and my cautious nature (eventually!) just got the better of me.
Whenever I've bought a car before, I've always been able to look at it a couple of times - compare to another and such like. This time however, the whole magical Romahome thing took a hold of me and I became completely obsessed (or is that possessed?!).
It hit me when I'd reached the destination, with 3 sleepless nights and a 300 mile journey behind me, that this was ludicrous and perhaps I was mad after all! Shame I didn't think it all through properly before the journey.
Anyway - still looking but a little closer to home this time and I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks to all for the advice (I know people have said it before but Ant you really should write a book!) ....and a really huge thank you to Yamaha for being so helpful
cheers all
Gill
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Post by Graham on Apr 29, 2008 18:31:25 GMT
Hi Gill Have you seen HEREWe have seen "Elvis" in the flesh and its a lovely looking van. He lives in the Oxford area though so might be a bit far for you. Hope you sort something soon. Graham |
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Post by mamalazaru on Apr 29, 2008 21:08:57 GMT
Hi Graham
the van I went to see in Somerset was an absolute little beauty too, like Elvis no doubt. It was the distance - not being able to go away, think about it and return to have another look that I couldn't do - just too far. I got that "Oh my goodness, what if?....." feeling, perhaps too cautious I know, but I would hate to regret it.
I am still looking though - going to see another in the Manchester area at the weekend
cheers for the thought
Gill
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Post by Graham on Apr 30, 2008 7:03:34 GMT
I know that feeling well, every major purchase we make we have to agonise over it for days/weeks. We once bought a brand new Duo at the NEC show, we said we would have to have a think about it before making a commitment and we were walking round in a daze saying "shall we, shan't we?", its not good for the old ticker that's for sure.
I'm sure when you finally see "your" van you will know that it's right.
Graham
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