Help me choose? Pageant or Amara...

[David_374243103]

I need help to choose between two used tourers the wife and I looked at over the weekend - a 2003 Bailey Pageant Vendee for £7995 and a 2002 Coachman Amara 530/4 at £8495.

Both are fixed bed models, the Pageant has a slightly larger bed running from side to side, while the Amara's runs fore-aft. I'm 6'3" so need a decent length bed! We prefer the Pageant's centre washroom, but the Amara is lighter and more cheerful inside, and feels better quality.

Now for the big one - the Bailey is a stolen/recovered van and has a cracked washroom sink and damaged rooflight, both of which the dealer is going to replace. It also has a number of superficial awning pole type dents along both sides and a crack in the a-frame fairing. The Amara has had one owner from new, and can only be described as immaculate.

In particular with the Bailey, is there anything else we should be looking for (apart from the usual)? I should add that we have a Bailey ranger 470/4 end washroom at the moment, so we do like the brand.

In typing this, I think I've answered my own question, but what do others think?

Thanks for any advice,

David

 

[trucker]

Hi David, I dont know alot about either make you are talking about so Im not biased.

If it were me spending my hard earned and come up with 2 vans, 1 knocked around a bit and the other immaculate, the immaculate one will win my vote every time.

some of the Baily damage may have been down to the theft but it sounds if it wasnt looked after.

Kevin H

 

[TheTravelMan]

Just last month I had a similar scenario! I was looking at 2 used vans, 1) Bailey Pageant Provence 2005, the other 2) Swift Challenger Lifestyle 2002. both 5 berth both similar price well the swift a little cheaper obviously for the age difference. I know Bailey and again like the brand, also same as the vendee the provence had the centre washroom with seperate shower, great for the kids, where as the swift has a standard compact washroom. However on looking at both the Bailey had been knocked around a bit and not been well looked after, chips,cracks and scratches here and there inside and out, where as the swift yet couple of years older, was immaculate!! and again I thought this build quality looked far superior. We couln't make up our minds as we realy wanted the seperate shower that the Bailey offered and the brand we liked, however in the end we came to our senses and bought the Swift, Yes a little older, yes slightly cheaper and most of all Immaculate and well cared for! Can't wait to put it to the test now. Hope this helps! Cheers! Andrew.