Swift Elegance/Continental
We have been offered a very good deal by our friendly dealer to change our 2014 Swift Challenger 570 SE for a 2016 Swift Elegance 570.
The Elegance is a great looking 'van and we are very tempted .... BUT still looking at a fair amount of cash to change.
Any feedback from current Elegance/Continental owners? Pitfals?
Thanks in advance.
Comments
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What does it have that your existing one doesn't and do you need it anyway or do you have money to burn?
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We changed caravans 3 times in 5 years, ending up with a 2015 Swift Elegance 645. We ended up this caravan mainly because of the bed layout and the " no wood build". Coachman our previous caravan brand did not offer a 645 layout in 2015. Having money to
burn does not come into the equation. We made our choices because of changing requirements in layout and we chose what we could afford. We wanted the transverse bed, a larger fridge, but mainly as we will be keeping this caravan, we wanted the " no wood build".
Yes we think that the Elegance is a very nice caravan, but that is our choice. You must look at what you have, what you really want and then decide do you want to change and can you afford the change.Only you can decide that one.0 -
We changed caravans 3 times in 5 years, ending up with a 2015 Swift Elegance 645. We ended up this caravan mainly because of the bed layout and the " no wood build". Coachman our previous caravan brand did not offer a 645 layout in 2015. Having money to
burn does not come into the equation. We made our choices because of changing requirements in layout and we chose what we could afford. We wanted the transverse bed, a larger fridge, but mainly as we will be keeping this caravan, we wanted the " no wood build".
Yes we think that the Elegance is a very nice caravan, but that is our choice. You must look at what you have, what you really want and then decide do you want to change and can you afford the change.Only you can decide that one.Thanks. We can afford it, wouldn't even think about it if we couldn't.
Like you the no wood build attracts for longevity.
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We have been out in our Elegance for about 120 nights so have had experience of it in the UK and France. We think it is a great caravan but it was our decision to choose that model. Sure it has little niggles that it should not have, but nothing that the dealership has not been able to fix. Is it the best caravan we have had, probably yes. Would I change it, probably no. However only you can make up your mind on the matter. We were in your position with regard to changing cars. We went from an older Range Rover to a virtually new car. Why, because we could and like you we felt that you cannot take it with you and who knows when you spend your last day on earth. It was not burning money but exchanging cash we could afford for an experience that we wanted. The Land Rover motto was " one life, live it". We decided to but we made the choice, no one else.
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Iain, if you've been offered a good deal on an Elegance, I'd be very tempted. We wanted one, the 2 berth 480, when we decided to change in January 2015. Our dealer couldn't get us one, order book completely full it seemed. Instead, we ordered the Conqueror 480, and still had to wait 6 months for that. We love the Conqueror, it's by far the best 'van we've ever owned, but every time I see an Elegance on site, I think, if only........
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I've been following owner issues with the HT models since day one, mainly on
Swifttalk.And there has been very few problems. I would be towing one now if it wasn't for the length of the fixed bed models.
I was really interested in the latest models converted to HT, but again the model i was looking at was given around another 10" to its length.
The Smart plus Challenger is perfect in size for me, so i'm hoping the range will go to HT next year, but hopefully keep the same dimensions.
If it suits you Iain i say buy it, a woodless caravan will be my next purchase.
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We have an Elegance 580, 2014 model and are pleased with it. We use it summer and winter both in UK and France. It 'feels' well built and keeps warm in winter/ cool(ish) in summer. No major problems, probably better than previous caravans - we have had 5
Swifts all from new and this Elegance much the best and we have had 2 conquerors which were top of their range. If you like it buy it I say, you're only here once.0 -
I agree David, it is none of anyone's business how the OP, you me or anyone else spend their money. Personally I am in the camp that says go for it, hence the reason I am thinking of upgrading my order fir a Quattro EW to an Elite 630.
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Our van is 8 years old now, we have not seen a design we like better.
OH had a look at a few vans today when we picked up ours after the service, she was distinctly unimpressed by the size of the shower rooms, especially the size of the shower compartment.
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What does it have that your existing one doesn't and do you need it anyway or do you have money to burn?
Write your comments here...that's a bit rude
It was not intended thus, merely an enquiry whether a two year differential between models actually gave you anything new for the capital outlay. Most of us are at an age where capital replacement is not easy and therefore expenditure needs to ensure "bang
for our buck". If any individual adopts an "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" approach, that is indeed their choice.0 -
What does it have that your existing one doesn't and do you need it anyway or do you have money to burn?
Write your comments here...that's a bit rude
It was not intended thus, merely an enquiry whether a two year differential between models actually gave you anything new for the capital outlay. Most of us are at an age where capital replacement is not easy and therefore expenditure needs to ensure "bang
for our buck". If any individual adopts an "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" approach, that is indeed their choice.To be fair although I did find the answer a tad abrupt it is a fair comment.
At almost 46 I have (hopefully) many working years in front of me so the money was not a major issue though still a factor when spending a figure that would take us a good eighteen months to replace.
In the end we have decided to stick with what we have for now.
The main reason is the weight of the Elegance. At 1717kg it takes afair amount of towing! Fine for our current car but gives less choice when we change. With cars getting lighter and commonly being fitted with smaller engines it has to be a consideration.
Our current Challenger SE has been perfect over the last two years and getting on for 200 nights use. Sadly Swift have seen fit to delete the SE from their line up this year .... Pity as it offered good looks, perfect spec at a weight towable by a wide range
of cars .... All at a reasonable price.We will see what 2017 has to offer. Hopefully Swift will plug the gap again .... No other makers offer anything that attracts us. Nor would we stray from our very good dealer.
Finally thanks to all for their views and a big thanks to Alistair Duncan at Duncan's Caravans for his patience and friendly approach as usual!
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I do agree the small showers are a retrograde step, our 2010 Moonstone has a fantastic walk-in shower which we will miss with our new van. However Have you actually looked at a 2016 Challenger spec Van?
Is it me you are asking flatcoat?
If so, we too have the lovely walk-in shower in our Sterling Searcher. All other showers are compared to this! None come even close.
Downsizing slightly would give us a wider choice of towcar, and as we are a bit unhappy with our present towcar, it is something we have considered.
However, the sacrifice (of the shower) has been deemed to be too great, so the van is staying and the towcar problem is still to be resolved.
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Swift Elegance is not worth the money ,TUST me I have one, full of condensation,de-laminated bathroom panel ,3 new front windows,ATC faulty,door magnetic catches falling off,faulty fridge ,the list goes on, plus they have a bodgit n scarper attitude to repairs.
Save your money and buy elsewhereWrite your comments here...So you have an early model?
Have you had the extra insulation fitted to reduce the condensation reported some years ago?
The delamination was also reported on early models again Swift brought about measures to sort it, is your caravan an early model?
The other problems can happen on any caravan IMO.
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Sorry, it was aimed at IainM! However we are going for a fixed bed and other improvements a new van brings so short of getting a Buccaneer the shower has to be sacrificed. I think manufacturers have now gone too far in slimming
down the shower rooms and shower cubicles in the interests of weight saving.0 -
Sorry, it was aimed at IainM! However we are going for a fixed bed and other improvements a new van brings so short of getting a Buccaneer the shower has to be sacrificed. I think manufacturers have now gone too far in slimming
down the shower rooms and shower cubicles in the interests of weight saving.But I didn't mention small showers!
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