Newbie to the world of Auto-Sleepers

Hello - Adventure from Warwickshire here just checking in to say hello as requested.

I'm new to this world of campervans and have yet to buy.   So where do I start ?  Well, I have decided upon the Auto-Sleeper so that's narrowed the field a bit.
What's the difference between a Trident and a Topaz ?  I will study the various posts of course.  Do later models (2000 onwards)  still have the 'stirring paint' gearbox ?  (not for me if so).
Do most owners tax their vehicles during Spring/Summer?  Again, I need to study the form !!

It's good to be here anyway.  

Happy New Year !! 

Welcome.

We tax our van all year round and keep it moving. Both the tyres and oily bits will benefit from being used. 

Hi
Welcome to the forum from Bridington.
Boaby

IanH wrote:Re Tax, all yr round for us, it can just as easily be used in winter as rest of year with a bit of thought. As Tinny says they HAVE to be used, mine is out once a week or so if dry (only because I can't be bothered to wash it every time) for at least a 40 mile run. Easy to incorporate lunch in it as well to make it a bit of a day out.

Whatever you do, never start the engine without driving the van, nothing is worse for a modern diesel than idling, start it, drive it and give it a good hard run, do it the world of good!

Thanks Ian.   
That's sound advice about starting up the engine and taking it for a run.  I guess diesel or petrol is a personal preference - what do you think ?
There's so much more to this than buying a car - stating the obvious ! The decision making is all part of the journey.

Can you expand on what you like about your particular model and if you were to upgrade an what would you go for? I know that high mileage isn't necessarily a barrier when considering purchase  and that price is a big factor - "spend as much as you can afford"...... I need to have some sort of checklist ...
    
Thanks in advance.

Welcome, Adventure! You won't regret the choice of an Autosleeper. We're on our second - first a Trooper (like the Trident, based on a VW Type 4, but with a pop-top instead of a permanent high-top) and now a Symbol (based on the Peugeot Boxer MWB and, as it happens, purchased two years ago from someone who's already welcomed you in this thread 
Presumably, you've decided on the kind of size you want our van. The Trident or Topaz give you space for two people but without a lot of wiggle room and, in the case of the Trooper/Trident, with a narrow bed. We loved Hattie, our Trooper, but decided that with more opportunity to go further afield for longer, we'd prefer something with a bit more space, a wider bed and a loo that we didn't have to stick in a cupboard or behind the bench seat. We opted for the Symbol after a lot of research and are loving it. Another thing to think about, which we pondered long and hard, is if you're after a sliding-door, van-type layout or more of a caravan type layout (with the narrower caravan-type door): in other words, are you looking for a van conversion or a motorhome/moncoque style, like the AS Executive that Ian's got. All personal preference and we decided we love having the sliding door open on a fine day, even if we're not actually outside, so opted for that. 
You'll probably have preferences for what original vehicle you want your AS to be based on. We loved our VW - and the covetable badge certainly paid for itself when it was time to say goodbye - but P actually prefers driving the Peugeot, much to our surprise. We opted for a post-02 diesel model, as there was a change in something-or-other-technical that made a huge difference to the drive and reliability. You'll be able to find that if you google Peugeot Boxer 2003 engine, or something. Some people love Fords, some don't. Some swear by a Fiat. Hmmmm..... 
Your research will be worth it, to get the van you'll love. Have a look at a few and see what you think about the layouts, height, etc. And all the very best to you!