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I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 12:32 pm
by buckminsterdave
Hi all,

I have just joined and am not yet a Bongo owner. I have a caravan but want to change it for a Bongo. I have no idea where best to buy from. For example, private sale on this site, or trade? Does anyone know anything about Vans For Adventure in Grantham, any good?

The array of types, mileage, prices and conversions is confusing...can anyone provide some advice?

I currently have a caravan and tow car with about £12-13K value. I don't mean I necessarily want to spend that amount, but reliability is key, as I want it to go to Scotland/Skye, about a 1,000 mile round trip a few times a year. I work from home so wuld like to use the Bongo as a second car, but it won't get used a great deal for that as we have another car.

Thanks for any help or advice!

David

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 1:06 pm
by g8dhe
Welcome!
You might start by looking at conversion companies in what ever area you live, people like New Dawn Conversion etc. these will give you an idea on what is available and will offer the most reliability in terms of vehicle and conversion. You will obviously get cheaper from dealers and private sales but of course take into account the "warranty" provided they are normally less than ideal but maybe better than nothing ....
I've always found its worth while sitting down and creating a list of how you expect to use the van, and what features you might want, obviously this changes as you look around so its not set in stone, but it can help a lot when you see something that looks better than the rest, checking off the list helps identify the sales talk from the actual requirements ;-)

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 3:15 pm
by Bob
Hi David

Welcome aboard. 8)

There's a Fact Sheet on 'Buying a Bongo' in the Members' area, which is worth a read.

The newer ones have the 2ltr petrol engine, simpler to look after, but a lot of the diesels are 4wd, and we pull our caravan with ours. Best of all worlds.

Make certain you know about the need to bleed the cooling system on the 2.5ltr diesel and V6. If using a garage for work on the cooling system make sure they know about it. List of Bongo Friendly garages available, too.

As Geoff says, try and look a as many as possible to get a good idea what you want, and a good base vehicle counts a lot more than a fancy conversion.

Normally I'd be saying, 'Coma along and meet us at Stourport, chat to owners', but...

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 4:28 pm
by buckminsterdave
Thank you Bob, Geoff and g8dhe!

Great site, looked around and spoken to Ian too....learned loads already...I may have narrowed it down to a privately bought 2l petrol with factory roof, to be converted at New Dawn!

I'm heading over the New Dawn on Monday to see what their spanking top of the range vans look like...but the full conversion with roof is upwards of £16K!

Would you guys advise buying privately from a member on this site rather than, say, Autotrader?

Thanks for your help!
David

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 4:39 pm
by g8dhe
If you buy private then there is little come back if they can show no knowledge of a problem, on the other hand it will be the cheapest option.
If you buy from a dealer then there is there "warranty" but often only major engine parts and usually need to return it to them for sorting, more expensive but you do have comeback if not fit for purpose etc.
New import, better reliability, but greatest cost.
My own would be either new import and converted how I wanted it, or a well known dealer who has a reputation to maintain.

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:10 pm
by Bob
AFT Is great, if you do go for an after market roof be aware that some work better than others. :wink:

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:51 pm
by buckminsterdave
g8dhe wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2020 4:39 pm If you buy private then there is little come back if they can show no knowledge of a problem, on the other hand it will be the cheapest option.
If you buy from a dealer then there is there "warranty" but often only major engine parts and usually need to return it to them for sorting, more expensive but you do have comeback if not fit for purpose etc.
New import, better reliability, but greatest cost.
My own would be either new import and converted how I wanted it, or a well known dealer who has a reputation to maintain.

Thank you!

Is it safe to assume that members on this site are selling in good faith and can be trusted more so than others?

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:04 pm
by Bob
I'd say Club members are a pretty decent bunch, but caveat emptor. 8)

Re: I want to buy a Bongo!

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:00 pm
by g8dhe
I'm sure members can be trusted to sell in good faith, but that isn't to say that they understand or know all the aspects of there vehicle.