Swift/Sterling caravans
Comments
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We bought a new Swift Sterling Eccles SE Quartz 18 months ago. EXtremely pleased with it. The usual minor faults all fixed under warranty although a more major fault was a fridge not working on mains. Took some time for Dometic to resolve it. The Swift
Talk user forum is excellent and you get get answers to most questions from either other Swift owners or Swift themselves who run and monitor the site.There have been some grumbles about the changes to the range for 2015. They dropped the SE range and made the standard vans a little more basic. There is then quite a big price hike to Elite then Elegance. Our SE fitted nicely in the middle but it's now
gone.I would certainly recommend.
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Its pot luck these days IMO they all seem to be made too a similar "standard" and over the years the quality has deteriorated on most of the popular makes.We have a Coachman at the moment and its probably about the best of all the makes we have had includeing
four swifts and most of the other popular makes at some time.The big problem these days is that the caravan makers know they can sell every van they can make so attention too detail and "quality control" are not really a priority.peter.
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When we were looking for an island bed layout it was down to the VIP or Conqueror. With the Vision/Pastiche having a new look on the outside it made the VIP look dated and we wondered if it was due an upgrade in the next year or so. We already had a Swift
Challenger and despite a damp problem went for the Conqueror after several days of debating and visits to the dealer! For us, when we walked in to the Swift it "felt right". The Swift interior was to our taste whereas the VIP interior, we felt, was aimed at
an older purchaser. Which we have found with several manufacturers - the higher the spec, the older the taste. Which is a shame.0 -
Sorry to sound off topic but somewhat suprised re the comments on Coachman, i looked at the Pastische range last week and when i enquired about expected delivery dates was informed what you see is what there is , there will be no more, so sales must have
been good.I agree with the post about the loss of Challenger SE range, but generally think the Swift group product is there or there about and Swift talk is very good,monitored by Swift and also Sergant who are very good attending to peoples questions and offering
advice.0 -
I am one of those who has grumbled! The price gap between Sprite and Concquerer on some layouts is £10k, dropping the Eccles/Continenatal SE option was a huge mistake and one I suspect will be rectified for 2017, Annoyingly too late for us! However one of
the reasons we go for Swift range is the generally more contemporary design and decor and larger kitchens than many. I like Coachman vans but the lounges and kitchens are simply too small on their fixed bed layouts. Too many manufacturers seem to think in
terms of 50 shades of beige when it comes to interior design......0 -
I am one of those who has grumbled! The price gap between Sprite and Concquerer on some layouts is £10k, dropping the Eccles/Continenatal SE option was a huge mistake and one I suspect will be rectified for 2017, Annoyingly too late for us! However one of
the reasons we go for Swift range is the generally more contemporary design and decor and larger kitchens than many. I like Coachman vans but the lounges and kitchens are simply too small on their fixed bed layouts. Too many manufacturers seem to think in
terms of 50 shades of beige when it comes to interior design......our daughter is nearly 10 and if we had opted for the Coachman we would have had to make up the front bed for her at night but found the Conqueror had much longer seats at the front so she will be able to use one of the single seats for a good while yet,
making bedtimes easier.0 -
Sorry to sound off topic but somewhat suprised re the comments on Coachman, i looked at the Pastische range last week and when i enquired about expected delivery dates was informed what you see is what there is , there will be no more, so sales must have
been good.I agree with the post about the loss of Challenger SE range, but generally think the Swift group product is there or there about and Swift talk is very good,monitored by Swift and also Sergant who are very good attending to peoples questions and offering
advice...I think you will find that the reason the model you looked at was not available to order is probably that ,most if not all manufacturers,are just finishing off this years model builds,and will soon start on 2017 models as we bought one a fews years ago
and it was built in june the previose year
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Our local dealer sells Coachman and Swift/Sprite. They have one of each model on show which they do not sell until all the others they have on order are sold. We were advised June delivery for Pastiche 575 and July for VIP 575. Conqueror 580 is May/June
delivery.0 -
We have a 2015 Sterling Continental 570 since last July. Have used it for 2 weeks last august (due to non availability of towbar) then in November 3 weekends, Xmas and Easter.
Been very comfortable in really bad weather and storms, we have yet to open the roof vents fully, or more than one at a time, in order to keep rain out. The Alde heating works brillaintly, the full width washroom is excellent. The kitchen is adequate to
do a full Xmas dinner or a sandwich.The fixed bed is superbly comfortable with the Duvalay mattress. Our 9yo daughter usually uses the front nearside seat/bed, but at Easter used the full double just to try it.
Plenty of storage space in lockers and cabinets. But I do limit one suitcase of clothes for 3 of us. Under bed storage is vast.
We chose the Continental for it's modern finish over an Elegance that is akin to our childhood caravan of the 1960's. We have the impala / leather upgrade, easier to keep clean.
We had one issue with a dry joint on the control panel on our first rally. Quick trip to dealer fixed that and Sargent sent a new part within 4 days.
The battery locker door catch is crap and is being replaced under warranty. A couple of locker catches internally to be adjusted when the battery door is changed.
We are not of the make do and mend mindset after paying £23k+.
Overall we are very pleased and would probably give 8/10 overall due to the caravan industry standard parts bin used. The industry can get better, customers need to stand up to the manufacturers indifference.
It tows well, looks great and is very comfortable.
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We are looking to change our caravan. We quite like the look of Swift or Sterling. Currently own a Coachman but not finding the interiors as good quality as our 5 year old model we are forced into changing! Any comments please!
We take delivery of our new Sterling on Friday, we liked the very modern interior, although it does lack some of the warmth of our outgoing Lunar Quasar.
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Suitcase? Does anyone use a suitcase? Soft bags perhaps but a suitcase unless you intend to use it as a "wardrobe" in the awning.
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Suitcase? Does anyone use a suitcase? Soft bags perhaps but a suitcase unless you intend to use it as a "wardrobe" in the awning.
Wheeled soft sided container for bunging clothes in, aka suitcase, drag along. Previously made of cardboard filled with jars of marmalade
But
most importantly, only 1 for clothes for 3 people for any trip out in the caravan, no more taking stuff that won't be worn, used, hung up taking up payload.One has to set the standard and dig heels in after years of taking unused crap that never sees the light of day. It's been a battle, but I won. It can be done, has now been established, so it stays that way
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Sterling Continental 570 looks great. Perfect layout for us too! Now wondering whether we should take the plunge to buy or wait for new models!! Thanks for your postings.
You may pick up a decent discount on a 2016 model within the next few weeks. Odds are that the 2017 model changes will only be cosmetic. That's what we did. Bought towards the end of July, picked it up on 31 August and got almost £3000 of the list price with a little bit more offered on our part exchange.
Only minor changes over the following year's model and that certainly didn't bother us. There are so many posts of members ordering new models as soon as they come out but the delivery schedule keeps getting put further back. After my experiences I would always buy late in the season and get the disocunt.
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I will show my OH your post mbee in the hope he will agree. They are already starting to discount them and we might not like the new models!!
It's just a chance you have to take Bod. I'd rather have the cash in my pocket than wait for a "new" model that may be little different from the model it's replacing.
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Bod, the differences between 2015 and 2016 Continental 570 are the Command system where you have a control panel above the entry door that can be used via an App on a smartphone, the ecocamel shower head, and the darker upholstery with the seat cushions
having black leather, the curtaind being black ish and the headborad also black.The 2017 will probably change the colour scheme.
We wouldn't have liked the 2016 colour scheme, too dark.
You can always get the seat covers of the previous model years from the supplier direct.
We call ours 'an apartment on wheels'.
Enjoy whatever you purchase.
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Sterling Continental 570 looks great. Perfect layout for us too! Now wondering whether we should take the plunge to buy or wait for new models!! Thanks for your postings.
I've noticed a few dealers are starting to sell off their 2016 Demo stock I've noticed in the last week or so. This seems to have coincided with the delivery of our Sterling, which does make me wonder if they have now concluded all 2016 Sterling Elite Production,
or Just at least the Elite 560 Production so there isn't any point in any demos now.0
