1997 Abbey GTS 215 vogue - Our first caravan

TrebzUK
TrebzUK Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited August 2019 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi All 

I'm new to the world of the caravan so forgive my ignorance. After visiting a campsite today and using our family 6 man tent the host offered me the 1997 Abbey GTS 215 vogue shown below for £1000. What do you think about it's value. To me it needs work and and some TLC which we don't mind doing but is £1000 too much taking into account it's age and condition.

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

I can only add five pictures and only at 500k, I don;t know how to shrink my images so I have posted the links below. 

Trebz 

https://ibb.co/7NMrG0R
https://ibb.co/wd8rV43
https://ibb.co/Bt1gXYY
https://ibb.co/4VS3kMX
https://ibb.co/xYpS08Q
https://ibb.co/n6rTBfF
https://ibb.co/gvn9GY9
https://ibb.co/RDqWWtQ
https://ibb.co/0Ky4LgV
https://ibb.co/bPGStj9
https://ibb.co/pd8952b
https://ibb.co/x1Dj9Rs
https://ibb.co/4mgdHcd
https://ibb.co/1d84bdt
https://ibb.co/qnMJnv6
https://ibb.co/3kxCHfM
https://ibb.co/6FQ73gL
https://ibb.co/CwcvgGt

Comments

  • TrebzUK
    TrebzUK Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited August 2019 #2

    And now with a few actual photos:

     

     

  • TrebzUK
    TrebzUK Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited August 2019 #3

    Correction on the price asked, I spoke with the chap earlier and he's wanting £1500. Now I'm not sure it's worth that much so does anyone have any advice please?

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited August 2019 #4

    Not been on the Club web site for ages (holiday) and surprised to see no responses...unusual...or is the web site playing up?

    Anyway...I wouldn't rush into buying a van, especially at this time of year as dealers are getting towards end of season and will be wanting to get rid of excess stock that could be hanging around until next year and bargains may be available or equipment thrown in as part of the deal. If you are thinking of going over to a caravan it will be worth your while looking around at different vans/layouts to see what is out there and what would be suitable for your family/budget/car. Good hunting.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #5

    I’ve not seen this before. It could have been waiting approval or some such thing.

    I don’t reckon you’ll go far wrong at that price providing it's not suffering with severe damp. Obviously, you’ll expect to spend money on it.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,037 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #6

    Agree TInny, from the photos it looks a nice enough van. Needs a thorough check for damp, a good bounce around on floor inside to check for delamination, and take it from there. Buyer needs to know if they have a suitable vehicle to tow it as well, as 90’s vans are likely to be a bit heavier than a much more modern van.

    Older vans, if in good nick can be very nice. They don’t have some of the problems associated with more modern ones, you are not tied to expensive dealer checks, and you can make them just how you like them relatively cheaply. But you do need to know what you are looking for in terms of damp. Helps if you a practical person, able to carry out some DIY.

    If it’s a good one, haggle down from £1500....

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
    100 Comments
    edited August 2019 #7

    Buy a damp meter , check corners , lift up rubber seals push in underneath , check inside cupboards  everywhere !! think what youve got to spend ,new tyres ,, does gas work , does electric work ? again why is took so long to appear ?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #8

    And, of course, make sure the chassis is sound.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited August 2019 #9

    Such a shame that it's taken nearly 2 weeks for this to come up on here. I would think that the OP has given up hope of getting a response from CT users, and their decision has already been made;.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #10

    I 'reported' it with a request that it be approved without delay.  Can't do any more.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited August 2019 #11
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • TrebzUK
    TrebzUK Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited August 2019 #12

    Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies, and don't worry about the delay as I bought the caravan anyway hehe.

    I got a damp tester and it was fine, we went to the site and stopped over in the caravan this weekend gone, whilst there we gave it a good old clean and the only thing we could find that was broken was one of the window stay holders, the ones which screw into the chassis. Nothing that a bit of superglue and a soldering iron weld won't cure.

    The wife loves it and I think we got a good deal with this one although the clean water drum, waste water carrier and the step had disappeared between my initial viewing and payment and our first visit. Quite annoying as I paid via BACS in one lump sum only to find these missing when I got there. I mentioned it to the seller and he told me that they were not included in the sale although they were in the van when I viewed it. No big deal though as I can pick a few up second hand for a few pounds I'm sure. 

     

    Now onto my next question:

     

    Where can I get a second hand awning from for this caravan and how much should I pay? 

    Are awnings designed as 'One fits all' etc?

    Thanks in advance for all advice given :-)

    P.S. We are now officially hooked on caravanning.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited August 2019 #13

    Your local caravan dealer may well sell second hand awnings, and they too would be able to advise you on the size you need for the van. There are often awnings offered on the clubs classified ads pages, btu as you say you do need to know the actual size to fit your van. If you have your van's handbook the size will be in there. If you've not got it there may be members on here with one who could advise you.

    Glad that the van's fine for you and that you're enjoying your caravanning.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #14

    You normally measure full awnings from the ground, up around the awning track & back down to the ground again .... a piece of string will help. A porch type awning though, just uses the measurement from the ground up to the awning track.

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