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Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:50 pm
by TheLongRoad
Hi, just joined the forum and hope to purchase a Bongo camper sometime soon. Enjoying reading some of the techie stuff to try to avoid getting my fingers burnt and buying the wrong one. Cheers.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:09 pm
by mikeonb4c
Welcome. And as you rightly flag up, take time, do research, inspect thoroughly (perhaps pay a local Bongo specialist to inspect), be prepared to travel, to avoid buying a Bongo Friendee Lemon Edition.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:20 pm
by Bob
And welcome from us.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:13 pm
by TheLongRoad
mikeonb4c wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:09 pm
Edit......., to avoid buying a Bongo Friendee Lemon Edition.
What's the issue with the Friendee? I did a search and it came up with two posts on the forum?
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:02 pm
by mikeonb4c
TheLongRoad wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:13 pm
mikeonb4c wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:09 pm
Edit......., to avoid buying a Bongo Friendee Lemon Edition.
What's the issue with the Friendee? I did a search and it came up with two posts on the forum?
Oh, just that they can be 23 years old and inevitably may have rust and other age related issues, many of them fixable but price should reflect that.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:43 pm
by TheLongRoad
Ah right, yes any of them can suffer from tin worm. I thought you meant there were some known mechanical issues in particular that the Friendee had. Cheers
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:22 am
by MalcW
Friendee is fine. I think the recommendation was to not buy a Lemon...
Wasn't it?
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 12:52 pm
by Bob
Yep, plenty of good ones out there.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 2:14 pm
by TheLongRoad
Deposit put on a Friendee
Guess you’ll be seeing more of me on the forum.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 2:31 pm
by Bob
Sound.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:11 pm
by teenmal
MalcW wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:22 am
Friendee is fine. I think the recommendation was to not buy a Lemon...
Wasn't it?
Friendee Is not fine by any means if it is a Lemon or the well known WASP that Stings you, be very cautious when buying these old vehicles they are not like the VW comparable vehicles where you can recouped you outlay. .
You take extra care....
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:30 pm
by TheLongRoad
teenmal wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:11 pm
MalcW wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:22 am
Friendee is fine. I think the recommendation was to not buy a Lemon...
Wasn't it?
Friendee Is not fine by any means if it is a Lemon or the well known WASP that Stings you, be very cautious when buying these old vehicles they are not like the VW comparable vehicles where you can recouped you outlay. .
You take extra care....
2003 vintage - undersealed on import, very low miles and the coversion was by Direct Campers. Actually wouldn't go near a Volkswagon. Each to their own.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:29 pm
by Markas
teenmal wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:11 pm
... be very cautious when buying these old vehicles they are not like the VW comparable vehicles where you can recouped you outlay. .
You take extra care....
It appears to me that Bongos are by and large holding their value. Some of the fresh import prices seem to be very strong, as do converted vans, particularly if they are AFT's or fitted with a pop-top.
As VW T4 prices rise possibly more potential campervan buyers are looking at Bongos. At least you know they've never been used by a builder or undertaker
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:33 pm
by TheLongRoad
Was originally going to buy a vw T4/5 but saw so many rusty old things with high mileage still demanding big money. I’d not considered the Bongo and then took a look a good look at them. For me the positives are value for money, low mileage, not a builders van, not diesel and good parts availability. Plenty of DIY scope on them. I’m looking forward to a long ownership with our Friendee.
Re: Just sayin’ Hello.
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2017 2:03 pm
by Markas
TheLongRoad wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:33 pm
Was originally going to buy a vw T4/5 but saw so many rusty old things with high mileage still demanding big money. I’d not considered the Bongo and then took a look a good look at them. For me the positives are value for money, low mileage, not a builders van, not diesel and good parts availability. Plenty of DIY scope on them. I’m looking forward to a long ownership with our Friendee.
Good luck with your Bongo and have fun! I'm sure you will