Get a van, buy the rails, seats and brackets - apart from the rear AC you can buy all the interior trim panels and windows to transform your dirty builder mobile into a budget CaravelleT:

 

I started another thread about sourcing a Caravelle.
For me we currently have a 2010 Seat Alhambra. This is a good family car but we are at the limit of what we can tow. I’m looking at the Caravelle as this will give me everything the Alhambra has but with extra towing capacity. I tried a discovery 3 but couldn’t live with the fuel economy at the time.
It’s a shame they are so expensive, dealer near me has some nice examples in, low mileage but quite old on ‘06 plate, he’s had them in stock over a year.
I’ve considered shuttles, transit custom, Vitos and T5 Kombis but the Caravelle has all the trimmings of a car which makes it a better place to be.
Other suggestions welcome

 

Well, if you jump in and pay the price, at least depreciation will be low. Even a 2005 SE Caravelle will probably have cost north of £30,000 when new. Factor in high demand and low availability and you have a reason to expect high prices.

Caravelles are usually much better looked after, so keep looking, it may just take a while (To give you an idea of how long to look - I wanted a petrol Caravelle, so it took me well over year to find one).

 

The difference between a caravelle and shuttle is disproportionate to the price difference. Caravelle adds 6k easy to the price and doesn't add 6k worth of features unless you really want the seating (bed) option.

Shuttle seems more versatile to me. Removing all the seats quickly and easily to then use as a van is the other bonus a shuttle has.

 

I have just gone the T6 Shuttle route thinking I would save money. I also have a T5 Caravelle. I messed up with the shuttle. Yes its nice BUT its a Minibus, its not a high end MPV, just a minibus.
The Caravelle is not just about AC and sliding rails. Small things such as chromed switches, handles, different speedo, lights, air bags all round just to name a few things. Folding mirrors, auto lights, wipers etc. Better bcm's straight from the factory. Yes you can spec a higher Shuttle but I bet it works out more :*
I think my T5 drives better then my T6 but maybe thats just down to the engine being better in the T5 I:
I think the caravelles are more money because they are simply worth the money. I have both and have had a Kombi so can comment on the 2. Unless you are wanting something specific that the caravelle cannot offer go with the shuttle. If you have not had a caravelle you would not know what small things you get so would not know if you could cope without them.
Either way buying a shuttle or a caravelle is the better way to go over a van if you do lots of miles and need to do 70mph thats for sure.
I am now currently working my way through what I need to do to add all the bits to my shuttle to bring it up to the caravelle spec with auto lights etc. Not going to be any cheaper so do wish I put more money in when buying. Lesson learnt.

 

I have a 2014 Caravelle with extra options, my mate bought a Shuttle at the same time.

Mine is quiet, great soft suspension (caravelle has lowered suspension as standard) and more standard comfortable options, I drive it with 1 single seat removed so easy side access.

The shuttle is better as an all rounder, use as a van is excellent, the caravelle seats are not meant to be removed on a regular (if ever basis)

Another mate has a Combi, I feel like I am bouncing around all over the place in it, compared to the cushioning caravelle.

 

I’ve been looking for a move from my t4 and sooo I bang a search of 7/8 seaters and see what comes up...

I know the Caravelle’s is not cheap but when you look at some of the ‘grey imports’ that come in the search Toyota alphard and the likes they are doing very strong money for the Reg year.. I appreciate very low miles no gritted roads etc... I’ve not drove one could be great for all I know :* but it’s not exactly value for money.

So like for like maybe the Vw stuff isn’t that massively pricey for the market it sits in:*

 

grey imports hold money when they are first imported. Try resell one then rethink any savings.
Just look at the resale of any transporter. You very rarely lose money. I choose a vw not just because they are fairly reliable considering how many are on the roads but for resale value.
I buy as an asset to life so not to lose too much. If I was leasing every few years then maybe I wouldnt be so picky I: but as it has it I have now had 3 transporters over the past 10 years. 2 of them I still own and 1 I sold due to the mileage getting a little high. T:

 

I would normally agree but certain fossil fuels as we speak with the diesel now being treated like the ‘devils blood’ it’s getting harder and harder to drive into major cities without a premium for the privet age and you can bet your bottom dollar they will trickle through the rest of the country soon.

The way it’s going in the not to distant future the vans we have could be ‘junk’ the way they currently stand.

Tbh if I had £30k cash and was looking to stick it in to a van it would put me off at the moment, I would be more tempted to lease or pcp and just pay for the but I use as I’m not seeing these as long term investments as they once where:* plus it could go back if legislation drives us off the roads

Could be totally wrong and hope I am T:

 

I decided to go and have a look around today at what’s about near me and tbh there isn’t much..
But I’ve looked at Caravelle’ today o6 plate blue, the interior was as good as my car if not betterA:

It hasn’t been taxed for 18 months I feel he has had it in his ‘lot’ over priced for a long time

However it is my favourite colour ‘raven blue’T: I would buy it just for that colour tbh I:
I can see why it has a premium over the shuttle. If I would pay the premium is another matter, as I like to carry 4 adults 2 kids loads of in the boot and go away to log cabins and the likes to walk and get mucky playing with the kids before they get like our eldest who does her own thing as she is of working age...

comparing it to a shuttle it does seem the shuttle is defo more minibus/taxi pick up feeling to it..however don’t get me wrong I drive an old(which I love) t4 ply lined and carpeted so I’m no snob and would have a shuttle in a heartbeat ...

I would hate to buy something and be scared to use it for sake of damaging it and devaluing it........

 

I wouldn’t worry too much about devaluing a Caravelle by damaging it - the interiors are pretty robust. Darker colours resist staining and discolouring very well. Strangely, the cloth in the SE’s wears better that the Alcantara in the Execs.

 

Koojo do you have a link for the Blue one you’ve seen. I am also looking for a Caravelle but usual autotrader and eBay isn’t giving much options

 

its 'chestermotorcompany' in durham the link is from autotrder and linked to postcode so doesn't show in the link...not sure where your from in relation. they must have had it sometime as when I checked reg out its a 58 plate not 06 it hadn't been taxed for nearly 2years.....:*

 

I think my post regarding Shuttle vs Caravelle may be somewhat biased. My Shuttle is very well specc'd. Parking sensors, RNS510 and reverse cam, cruise, MFSW, DSG, fogs, AC etc. About the only thing it lacks from Caravelle is the seating options, air bags, rear cup holders and a couple of interior lights.

I also wanted 9 seats and LWB. I can get 6 mountain bikes in the rear plus 6 blokes in the front 2 rows. Don't think I've seen any LWB Caravelle. Do they exist?

 

LWB Caravelles only came on the market 09 plate on I think. Anything older sold on Autotrader as a LWB Velle is a fake.

The Caravelle is a very different beast to a Shuttle. I was looking at an Exec model the other day and plush isn't the word for it. I race cyclocross so my camper gets absolutely filthy so a Velle is out of the question for me but I certainly like them.

 

its 'chestermotorcompany' in durham the link is from autotrder and linked to postcode so doesn't show in the link...not sure where your from in relation. they must have had it sometime as when I checked reg out its a 58 plate not 06 it hadn't been taxed for nearly 2years.....

[/QUOTE]

I’m in Nottingham, there is a similar situation at Colemans Garage in Mansfield. He has 4 Caravelles in at the mo only one has been mot’d in last 12 months. They will hold value until he sells

 

its 'chestermotorcompany' in durham the link is from autotrder and linked to postcode so doesn't show in the link...not sure where your from in relation. they must have had it sometime as when I checked reg out its a 58 plate not 06 it hadn't been taxed for nearly 2years.....

I’m in Nottingham, there is a similar situation at Colemans Garage in Mansfield. He has 4 Caravelles in at the mo only one has been mot’d in last 12 months. They will hold value until he sells[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure about yourself but it bothers me when I see that they haven’t been out and about on the roads for a while. I don’t think it does a vehicle any good sitting there brakes and calipers rusting on, fluids not being moved around etc....

 

There is a van listed near me -

Ex mobility caravelle (interior has no caravelle interior) still has the ramp it , has 6 seats but not the caravelle type of interior and possibly had a tweaked lower floor. 73k miles vw fsh

Has anyone successfully bought and put back to caravelle an ex mobility van?? I thinking it’s probably to much trouble but the van itself looks good:*

 

There is a van listed near me -

Ex mobility caravelle (interior has no caravelle interior) still has the ramp it , has 6 seats but not the caravelle type of interior and possibly had a tweaked lower floor. 73k miles vw fsh

Has anyone successfully bought and put back to caravelle an ex mobility van?? I thinking it’s probably to much trouble but the van itself looks good

Not worth the cost to revert either, thanks to the stupidly overpriced s/h parts prices and overpaying fools.

 

Whether it is worth converting depends mostly on what has been done: If the rear floor has been cut away and a ramp set in, then it will be expensive to rectify, even before you put in seats etc. If it has had a (Ricon??) electric lift installed, it may be simply the case of removing it and plugging a few bolt holes.

Then, you just need to replace seats. Not sure where the stupidly overpriced parts come from - ebay frequently serves up nearly new seats for a few hundred per seat. There is a lot of tech in Caravelle seats, including the strength to house integrated seat belts. A nearly new bench and two rear captains in full leather could be had for around £4k - not much more than a leather retrim. Used cloth seats would be less than half that.

Go look at it - if it needs welding, offer a low price. If it just needs seats, it could be an option.

And just to be clear - there is a massive difference between a panel van and a Caravelle. Not just in price. If you don’t believe me, you are welcome to take a ride in my 14 year old V6 Caravelle. At 90mph the slightly fluttering wind noise on the mirrors is the loudest sound....

 

Factor in that a set of seat rails (if removed) will set you back £600+ depending on condition and a full width Caravelle seat upwards of £1200.
Kernow Transporters & Oxford T5 specialise in 2nd hand Caravelle interior parts - none of it is particularly cheap.
I'd hold out for a Caravelle that's ready to go and meets your needs.

You may be able to sell on the lift / disability interior although I suspect the 2nd hand market is pretty limited as most vehicles will be professionally converted.

 

The van ‘as it stands now with the not caravelle interior is £15000 so if it’s another few ££££ to put back it would be worth the hassle and time.I:

 

You don't mention the age of the Velle or whether the floor has been cut. Both will significantly affect the value. There are quite a few pre facelift Caravelles for that sort of money with similar miles and unmodified. Buying one of those would be easier.

Again, that one may be ok if it is a lot newer (say 2011+) with the floor uncut.

 

Sorry was meant to say ‘wouldn’t be worth the hassle’.

The van is a 2011 floor is cut.

 

Good decision.

I haven’t seen a Caravelle with a cut floor, but I have seen a Caddy Max......and they remove the axle in that conversion and fit some kind side mount suspension that looks like it is meant for a caravan