Toyota Alphard campervans for sale on the forecourt at RivieraMotors
As I sit here in my office, looking out of the window on a rather wet and overcast morning, I have a fantastic view of our forecourt, dozens of campervans sit quietly waiting for new adventures with new prospective owners.
The rolling hills in the background remind me of how rewarding campervan ownership is. The ability to throw a bag into your home on wheels, head out onto the open road on the spur of the moment for a weekend adventure offers great appeal.
Park up somewhere quiet with a nice view, get the kettle on and relax. It’s a wonderful thing and its no wonder thousands of us Brits choose this way of holiday life. Its simple, rewarding and exciting.
Its not camping and it’s certainly not the expense or rigidity of package holidays that particularly interest me, how about you?
It’s the freedom of movement, the ability to roam and the prospect of making my own decisions as to when and where I go that really appeals. Exploring the country and beyond with a well apportioned campervan suited to your own needs can easily deliver that rare opportunity to experience truly relaxed holidays. An impromptu overnight stopover or a two week trip around the famous NC500 in Scotland, its all possible when you have your own home on wheels.
One of our valued customers enjoying the view from their new campervan.
Over the last ten years we have noticed a change in the way many of our clients and indeed my own family undertake holidays. With air travel becoming increasingly more expensive and problematic there is no doubt many people are choosing to invest in campervan life as an alternative way to enjoy holidays.
The main thing here is the word invest, because a campervan is an investment into a whole new world of fun and adventure as well as practicality. Sure, a car can take you places, but a campervan can comfortably sustain your needs when you get there.
One of our Toyota Alphard campervans absorbing a perfect sunset.
The campervan life revolution is not a new thing. It’s been around for decades. Just look at an early VW split screen campervan from the 1960’s and you are reminded that campervanning has been with us for a long time.
But something has certainly changed over the last decade which has amplified the desirability and demand for campervan ownership.
Personally, I think it’s not just one factor but a whole combination of reasons which have helped to increase the demand for campervan ownership. With modern materials and technology, campervans have certainly become more comfortable commodities.
Our modern-day work life habits have also changed. Today we often sell campervans to people whose job allows them to use a campervan as part of their business life. Saving on expensive hotel bills, often mentioned as an appealing prospect.
We have even sold vehicles to people making a conscious decision to live fulltime in a campervan. As a family, we often chase the snow in Europe during winter months. With a good powerful diesel heater onboard, this type of holiday has never ceased to deliver smiles and adventure for us.
A view from our campervan window. Look carefully and you will see a Peugeot Partner Micro camper covered in snow. Proof that even the smallest campervans are perfectly at home in the frozen Alps! The owners of this micro camper had driven out to the southern French Alps from the UK for a winter ski adventure.
Cars in general have become progressively more expensive, with the entry price point for a modern new car becoming a significant investment.
One of the biggest downsides of perhaps a new or nearly new car purchase is depreciation. With the average new car losing up to half its value in the first three years of ownership, people who are interested in campervan ownership have understandably turned toward more appealing opportunities.
One vehicle which can do both.
This is where owning a vehicle to deliver a dual role becomes an increasingly viable consideration. Many campervans offer the ability to be easily driven as a daily driver and the key to this is the vehicles overall length. Experience tells us that keeping it under 5 meters is the key to success here. That’s about the same size as the average estate car.
One of our Peugeot Partner micro campervan. Small yet beautifully formed. £26,995
The ever popular Nissan NV200 micro campervan. Compact small automatic with 4 seat belts and Rock and Roll bed. On sale at £24,995
The benefits of this concept hardly need explanation, one car is obviously cheaper to run than two, only one road tax, mot and insurance cost. Plus, no second car servicing or extra fuel costs. Then there’s the depreciation factor. It’s a well-known fact that a quality campervan retains much more of its inherent value versus a new car purchase.
With a campervan, you might be investing in both your daily commute but certainly also your long-term holidays and enjoyment. Used as a daily driver, a quality campervan becomes the gift which keeps on giving. Plus, if the time does come to move on, there is a good level of retained value, more so than with the average car. The numbers often speak for themselves.
The Toyota Alphard, a top contender in the world of compact campervans
So, what is the cost of entry into the world of quality campervans in 2026 and can it be more affordable than buying a just a car.
With many campervans in the market holding price tags of forty or even fifty thousand pounds and beyond for a used example, its easy to think maybe not.
However, that’s not the whole story. There are good affordable options out there for the savvy buyer which can be had for under thirty grand which will deliver both reliability and quality.
Take our range of Toyota Alphard campervans. The Alphard has long been a top contender in the world of compact campervans which don’t break the budget on cost.
At just 4.8 meters overall length, these vehicles easily fit into the average car park space. They provide luxury and comfort. We have been importing the Alphard directly from Japan for over a decade, it’s become our most popular campervan and for good reason.
Just one of our fabulous Toyota Alphard campervans, on sale at £27,995 with a brand new fully comprehensive interior- Choose between ten examples onsite and ready to go
We have sold hundreds of them over the years. Quite simply, when you consider the facts, nothing we know of rivals the Alphard for its price point. It punches far above its weight and offers owners luxury and refinement.
Ten reasons for Alphard ownership
- Best bang for buck. Premium without the price tag. Under 30K gets you a high quality low mileage vehicle with high specification and a brand new conversion.
- Reliability. Toyota, need we say anymore. Choose the 2.4litre engine for no timing belt, its chain driven so no servicing costs.
- Comfort and Quality. The Alphard was originally designed as a top of the line people carrier for the Japanese market, as such its superbly refined and comfortable.
- ULEZ compliant. The Alphard models we supply from 2006 onwards are all ULEZ compliant for low emission zones across the UK.
- 4 berths and 4 seatbelts. Our campervan conversions incorporate high quality fittings and cabinetry. All our Alphard’s cater for 4 people. Plus an onboard toilet fitted into a dedicated locker.
- Elevating roofs. A campervan is not a campervan without a quality pop top roof. The pop top adds versatility, interior headroom, the ability to accommodate two people in the roof space and helps to retain value. Our pop tops are all colour coded to the vehicle for a factory fitted seamless look.
- Comprehensive electrics. Our Alphard’s are fitted out with mains hook up, leisure battery chargers, split charging facilities for off grid touring plus Led lighting and modern compressor fridges.
- Known provenance. Our Alphard’s all come with their Japanese Grading certificates to support mileage and authenticity.
- Superior driving experience. The Alphard delivers a smooth and refined drive.
- Automatic Transmission. All Alphard’s have easy to use automatic gearboxes. The mark two models with 2.4litre engines offer sublime 7 speed automatic transmission.
Offering such value for money, it’s no wonder the Alphard has become such a hit within the campervan market. Not all conversions are created equal and with quality varying between different conversions, it’s important to shop around.
Our advice is to get up close with the conversion and look at the standard of quality on offer. Buy from ourselves and you can purchase with confidence. Our vehicles are built by time served professionals with decades of experience.
Beyond the Alphard, those wanting a little more space but keen not go beyond the desirable 5 meter overall length, the market offers various options. The Ford Transit/ Tourneo Custom, the short wheel base Peugeot Boxer or the Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro (essentially the same chassis base) all offer increased internal space, wider beds and more storage. The Peugeot Boxer delivers the most internal space here, due to its slab sided shape. Perfect for those wanting to maximise on space without the on road footprint.
SWB Peugeot Boxer sporting our brand new campervan conversion.
With a modern van derived campervan, you get a vehicle which promises more MPG being a Diesel variant. Plus, some have a 5 seat belt capacity. Three upfront and the usual two seat belts provided by the rock and roll bed in the rear. Highly versatile and ideal for those with a need to transport up to 5 people.
Renault Trafic with brand new campervan conversion. Just arrived onsite and ready for adventure. £36,995
Modern vans like the Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro have been refined to give a far smoother driving experience than years gone by.
With 6 speed transmissions they have excellent MPG capability and are easily used as a daily driver. Being newer vehicles with modern Euro 6 Diesel engines, they are ULEZ compliant so if you live within or need to travel into low emission zones such as London, they meet the requirements and don’t attract a surcharge. Being newer vehicles, they obviously cost a little more.
Vauxhall Vivaro. Brand new conversion, low mileage and great spec £34,995
Comfortable to drive and beautifully fitted out Euro6 Diesel campervans offer space and comfort.
With regards to budget, a good low mileage example with a comprehensive campervan fitout and quality fittings can be scooped up for around £35K or just under. Compare that to something like a VW Transporter and the same money often only buys a much higher mileage and older vehicle.
So, in a world where value for money is becoming more important than ever, is it still possible to buy a quality campervan for less than 30K ?
Certainly, the answer is yes. If you enjoyed reading this article and would like to know more click on the link for a deeper dive into the Toyota Alphard Campervan, why we love it
In the market for a campervan? If you would like to view some of our campervans, do get in touch.
Our website provides a window into our world of campervans; we have HD video of every vehicle. We can also take your Part Exchange and can arrange Nationwide Delivery when required.
Buy with confidence from a family company since 1950,
RivieraMotors.co.uk
The Campervan Specialists
01803 868 311
Located on the main A385 between Totnes & Paignton, South Devon.
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