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  • Kombi Beach one year on.

    I've owned my Kombi beach for one year now. We've already had some unforgetable experiences in it like the trip to dinosaur country at Richmond in north QLD. We are going away for four days after Christmas day to Girriween NP, to relax and drink some Stanthorpe wine. Then in February we are travelling to Tasmania for a four week journey.

    We are so glad we bought the beach, the only thought being 'why didn't we buy it sooner'. What an excellent all round car/camper. It is very economical as an everyday car, and perfect for travelling about Australia returning typically 8L/100k

    We have had no trouble at all and done 36000 km, which is 25000 in the first year of ownership as ours was a demo with 10000 on the clock when we got it.

    Its a very relaxing car to drive, around town it just chugs away with torque to spare, no need to worry about not having enough power when you see a mountain ahead of you, it just easily does any job. From your high seating position you can see all around and with the ease of driving it is a very enjoyable experience.

    It costed us far less than a typical Japanese sourced 4WD, and is far more usable. We do have to sacrifice not going on the toughest 4WD tracks, but it more than makes up for it with how it provides a home away from home. You always have your food and drink and a bed anywhere you are.

    People dream of the halcyon days of the original Kombi, and are buying and restoring them in record numbers, but this new Kombi provide the feeling of freedom as well as reliability and economy. Its ability to hold a wet road is remarkable, and its stopping and handling are brilliant. Its an all round fantastic car.

    I am looking forward to more enjoyable trips, and apart from the ones mentioned we will be trying to set up a couple more next year. With touring costs as low as this all we need is more long service leave and we would never be at home.

    Any other kombi beaches out there, and opinions.

    Brian

  • #2
    Its nice to read that you are enjoying owning your Beach.

    When we get to OZ we hope to buy a T5 Multivan to use as an everyday vehicle and to get away as much as possible.

    I have had a VW Camper/Caravelle/Multivan in the UK for quite a few years and we hope to never be without one!

    Rob

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    • #3
      Originally posted by rob64981 View Post
      Its nice to read that you are enjoying owning your Beach.

      When we get to OZ we hope to buy a T5 Multivan to use as an everyday vehicle and to get away as much as possible.

      I have had a VW Camper/Caravelle/Multivan in the UK for quite a few years and we hope to never be without one!

      Rob
      My T4 Caravelle is still for sale, if you are still interested?

      Regards, Scott

      http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...d=11E06F333070

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Brian,

        We’ve only had our Multivan a short time but I’m already starting to understand your passion.

        I agree it is a very relaxing vehicle to drive and just eats up the country k’s without fuss.

        Can’t wait to put ours to use like you have your Beach.

        Cheers,

        Ben.
        09 Multivan TDI 4motion comfortline

        Comment


        • #5
          Scott,
          Thanks for the offer can not believe you have not sold your caravelle yet!

          We need the rear seat to fold down to make a bed.

          So it has to be a T4 or T5 multivan.

          We have been purchasing bits to put inside the T5.

          We have the sleeper kit this has a rear shelf to make the bed/rear seat longer.

          A set of curtains for all the windows.

          Extra draws for under the rear seat.

          Have also bought driver and passenger swivel bases.

          I have quite a list of bits for the van,They are all wrapped up ready for the container.

          Rob

          Comment


          • #6
            Kombi Beach

            hey Brian, i can see where you are coming from, we have had ours for six months now and we love our beach! Every time we go for a drive we want to just keep on going as you mentioned once before things just keep revealing themselves. We have not had a decent trip as yet, but have the time to set it up how we want, with a lot of help from the forum, but no time to travel YET. We made up some blinds so we can sleep 'in the street' that take 5 minutes to put up and don't look as obvious as the supplied blinds in the drivers compartment. Had one night after a friends engagement, free drinks, no taxi fares, just up with the blinds a nice kip and off in the morning....... we made the blinds using magnets from some old hard drives, and they just stick to the roof, some pics below. we may be heading of to Canberra in Jan long w/end for a motorcycle rally and that will be our first 'real' road trip. I am envious of your trips you have been making they sound great, hope you have a good time in Tassie. Yes they are a great versatile car even when i shoot down to the shop i jump in the Beach! I just love it! now when i drive the Subaru Liberty i feel like i am boxed in and dragging my butt on the ground............




            Last edited by tapsy; 23-12-2008, 06:50 PM. Reason: not showing images replaced links

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            • #7
              Originally posted by rob64981 View Post
              Scott,
              Thanks for the offer can not believe you have not sold your caravelle yet!

              We need the rear seat to fold down to make a bed.

              So it has to be a T4 or T5 multivan.

              We have been purchasing bits to put inside the T5.

              We have the sleeper kit this has a rear shelf to make the bed/rear seat longer.

              A set of curtains for all the windows.

              Extra draws for under the rear seat.

              Have also bought driver and passenger swivel bases.

              I have quite a list of bits for the van,They are all wrapped up ready for the container.

              Rob
              Rob, I am also suprised it hasn't sold yet. I have had about 6 genuine inquiries with three actually turning up to view the vehicle. And while they were impressed with this particular example in terms of condition, they had not even worked out whether they wanted a T4 Caravelle or not.

              One feels like saying if you want to 'tyre kick' go to a bloody car dealer before wasting my time. I have even dropped the price 1250 bucks.

              Probably compounded also by economic downturn.

              Regards,

              Scott

              PS: My T4 Caravelle's the third row seat folds down, but not the middle row. It also has the rear shelf.

              Comment


              • #8
                Good to hear Brian

                Thanks for the writeup
                - Ben

                1961 Karmann Ghia Coupé - 1993 Golf Cabriolet - 2006 Golf Comfortline 1.9L TDI
                2008 Jetta 2.0L FSI

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by tapsy View Post
                  We made up some blinds so we can sleep 'in the street' that take 5 minutes to put up and don't look as obvious as the supplied blinds in the drivers compartment.
                  Your curtain design looks good, we tried to make a similair one and hold it up with stretchy curtain wire, but it sagged too much, but your magnet idea is good and fits in with the shades theme.

                  I hope you can experiance a good trip soon, we loved the freedom it provides when on the road to anywhere or nowhere.

                  Brian

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I am pleased to read that you love your Beach. When they were originally released I thought they would be more popular than they turned out to be.
                    I thought they would be fun to set up the way that some of you on here have to suit idividual requirements. Judging by the UK forums there are hundreds of owners buying used vans & converting them for camping.
                    In Aust. most of the travellers seem to want a motorhome, the bigger the better. The problem with them, apart from being expensive, is they are dedicated for holidays & not much use for anything else. The advantage of the T4 & T5 is there versatility. One can go shopping & park in underground carparks, drive to work/theatre etc,hang a trailer on the back for trips to the tip/metal recycling, carry large objects that won't fit in a car or stationwagen as well as holidaying.
                    I am predicting a return to vans for camping particularly with younger people.
                    Understand how it works, troubleshoot logically BEFORE replacing parts.
                    2001 T4 TRAKKA Syncro 2.5TDI,2006 Mk5 2.0TDI Golf manual,2001 Polo 1.4 16V manual [now sold], '09 2.0CR TDI Tiguan manual,
                    Numerous Mk1 Golf diesels

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by jets View Post
                      I am pleased to read that you love your Beach. When they were originally released I thought they would be more popular than they turned out to be.
                      I thought they would be fun to set up the way that some of you on here have to suit idividual requirements. Judging by the UK forums there are hundreds of owners buying used vans & converting them for camping.
                      In Aust. most of the travellers seem to want a motorhome, the bigger the better. The problem with them, apart from being expensive, is they are dedicated for holidays & not much use for anything else. The advantage of the T4 & T5 is there versatility. One can go shopping & park in underground carparks, drive to work/theatre etc,hang a trailer on the back for trips to the tip/metal recycling, carry large objects that won't fit in a car or stationwagen as well as holidaying.
                      I am predicting a return to vans for camping particularly with younger people.
                      Your common sense is ahead of its time, and I agree completely with what you have said.

                      The beach is such incredible good value. I suspect that the people you refer to who are building their own camper are doing it for the fun of the challenge, because I think it will end up costing way more to get the same equipment set.

                      I have got tinted windows, secondary battery system, cruise control, swiveling captains seat, stablisation control, top quality high speed tyres on alloy rims, and efficient turbo diesel with six speed tiptronic auto and all the camping equipment already built to suit the purpose.

                      If I was to buy a new transporter or perish the thought a Hi-ace, by the time I had equiped it the cost would have far exceeded what I paid, and it still wouldn't have much of the hi-tech extras that were already in the beach as standard.

                      I also thought they would do better than they did for sales, but if you are right, they may be highly sought after one day.

                      I think the full motor home type vehicle is highly impractical, and have no intention of moving away from the moderate sized van.

                      Good to hear from a like minded person.

                      Brian
                      Last edited by BrianJ; 26-12-2008, 03:11 PM.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        This comment made me smile....

                        "I am predicting a return to vans for camping particularly with younger people."

                        Thanks Jets...Its 730am and im smiling ....oh and its Christmas eve.

                        Brian you said...

                        "Good to hear from a like minded person."

                        Shame the whole world is not like us!

                        Rob

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Rob, we get to open our presents before you up there. in just over an hour. Have a Merry Christmas & hopefully next year you will be down under with us.
                          Understand how it works, troubleshoot logically BEFORE replacing parts.
                          2001 T4 TRAKKA Syncro 2.5TDI,2006 Mk5 2.0TDI Golf manual,2001 Polo 1.4 16V manual [now sold], '09 2.0CR TDI Tiguan manual,
                          Numerous Mk1 Golf diesels

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            versatiliy abounds

                            Originally posted by jets View Post
                            The advantage of the T4 & T5 is there versatility. One can go shopping & park in underground carparks, drive to work/theatre etc,hang a trailer on the back for trips to the tip/metal recycling, carry large objects that won't fit in a car or stationwagen as well as holidaying.
                            jets that is the key i think the versatility! we hav'nt yet gone camping but we use the van as a commuter with all those extra benefits you mentioned or any other excuse to jump in and go for a drive
                            Merry Christmas all and a safe and happy new year!!!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              We also have not yet gone camping. However, the T5 Highline is my main work vehicle, and over time will be tricked out to allow some major trips in the near future.
                              I have a business trip planned in the new year - Adelaide to Noosa and back. Will need a bull/nudge bar and driving lights for this.

                              Merry post Xmas sales everyone!
                              Golf V TDI 2005 - SOLD
                              Volvo C30 D5 - I've got a hat as well!
                              Multivan Highline T5 TDI 4Motion 2005
                              Hond Civic VTI 2001

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