newbie questions!!...

Hi all, I have put a deposit down on a 1999 petrol symphony.
Its done 65k, and from the sellers information it's in very good condition.
Apart from the front member, the gearbox, and the water drain pipe from the front windscreen, is there anything else specific I should be looking for on this van?.
A full habitation check is going to be carried out by an independent engineer before delivery. So hopefully all I will need to examine is the van mechanics...
How are the 2ltr petrols to drive?. I currently have a 2ltr petrol transit self build, I find it nice to drive, but it weighs a lot less than a proper build!!.
Looking forward to joining the REAL camper brigade!!!.
Steve.

Hi Steve,

Can't answer any of your questions (someone will) however a big welcome to the forum

Thanks!!

I had a petrol 97 Symphony for 5 years (swopping it in 2013). You have done your research for the common problems - gearbox, getting hard for some replacement inners but gearbox specialists still able to repair - front cross-member, easy replacement if needed - windscreen scuttle, do the modification and you shouldn't get the gearbox problem. Other areas now seem to be general rust underneath, particularly rear spring mounting area and sills.
Drivability - you won't win a race from traffic lights but who cares you are on holiday, fuel consumption around 23/25 mpg.

Habitation area - check the make of blown air heater, if Carver P4 (the P4 will be in large letters on the control switch) check it out thoroughly, make sure no red lights appear on the control switch when running. The Carvers were only fitted for about 2 years so it may have a Propex instead, these are generally better but still check it works OK. Make sure water heater works on gas and electric.

Hope all goes well for you.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the purchase of your new van!

Welcome to the forum.

I too have the same van. Look for rusty sills too as I'm told these can suffer if the vans not been looked after. And make sure its had decent services, like having gearbox oil changed, and brake fluid too, both very important, especially on older vehicles.

Mine's been converted to lpg, by the previous owner and I've found it to be great, giving me diesel economy with petrol grunt.  And I've just fitted a Gas-it refillable lpg cylinder in the gas locker so that too make running costs much easier on the pocket and saves a little weight in the bargain.

Enjoy

Hello and from a chilly,  rainy Leicestershire,

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Boaby

Thanks for the replies!!, really looking forward to getting the van, will be a learning curve for us to work out the habitation side of things, we've never used cassette toilet/shower/water heaters etc, so expect many more newbie posts from me!!!