Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Beach or Buzz

Ajspicer

Ajspicer

VIP Member
VIP Trade Partner
Messages
536
Vehicle
T5 SE 180
For anyone who is contemplating the switch to electric but thinks a Buzz is overpriced, I got over some of my spend guilt by looking at it like this:

California Beach £65k to £70k new
50k miles at £7.50 a gallon = £11k
Servicing and Road tax for 5 years £2.5k
Total £83.5k

ID Buzz Style with Multiflex board and swivel seats £65k to £70k depending on ootions
50k miles at current home charging rates if no solar £5k. Much cheaper on night time tariffs or solar
Servicing for 5 years £1k max
Total £71k to £76k for Style, 5k cheaper for Life.

I am sure a pop top will be available soon, which would probably make the Buzz a cheaper option than a Cali Beach (if purchased new) and the comfort and driving pleasure is not comparable. The Buzz drives like a very comfortable car. Furthermore the ongoing servicing and fuel costs will continue to save you money if you keep the vehicle for years.

Only time will tell how each one will compare when it comes to depreciation though!

Whilst we are over the moon with our new Buzz, we will be really sad to see our lovely Cali go when we sell it later in the Spring.
 
Ajspicer said:
For anyone who is contemplating the switch to electric but thinks a Buzz is overpriced, I got over some of my spend guilt by looking at it like this:

California Beach £65k to £70k new
50k miles at £7.50 a gallon = £11k
Servicing and Road tax for 5 years £2.5k
Total £83.5k

ID Buzz Style with Multifkex board and swivel seats £65k to £70k depending on ootions
50k miles at current home charging rates if no solar £5k. Much cheaper on night time tariffs or solar
Servicing for 5 years £1k max
Total £71k to £76k for Style, 5k cheaper for Life.

I am sure a pop top will be available soon, which would probably make the Buzz a cheaper option than a Cali Beach (if purchased new) and the comfort and driving pleasure is not comparable. The Buzz drives like a very comfortable car. Furthermore the ongoing servicing and fuel costs will continue to save you money if you keep the vehicle for years.

Only time will tell how each one will compare when it comes to depreciation though!

Whilst we are over the moon with our new Buzz, we will be really sad to see our lovely Cali go when we sell it later in the Spring.
Click to expand...
dspuk said:
A bit like comparing a Cali to an electric Caravelle .
Click to expand...
Apart from the pop up roof, I think the Buzz and Beach are quite comparable. I value the comfort, lower running costs and cleaner emissions when I drive in town far more than the pop up roof. Extra sleeping and head room is a lot easier to achieve than making a Beach or Ocean as comfortable and clean as a Buzz.
 
No heating in the buzz. No way of installing one without a seperate tank. No beds. No table and chairs. Etc . Depends what you want. If you want to go long distance camping then it's beach all day long. You didn't factor in hotel costs over 5 years. If you just want a people carrier with range anxiety, then buzz. You've already bought one so why the question?
 
flying banana said:
No heating in the buzz. No way of installing one without a seperate tank. No beds. No table and chairs. Etc . Depends what you want. If you want to go long distance camping then it's beach all day long. You didn't factor in hotel costs over 5 years. If you just want a people carrier with range anxiety, then buzz. You've already bought one so why the question?
Click to expand...
No need to factor in hotel costs as the downstairs sleeping area is comparable to a Beach. Clean heating instead of noisy smelly diesel heater for camp site neighbours.

I was simply trying to give anyone thinking of making the switch to electric without having to wait 3 or more years for an electric Cali some of our thoughts as owners of both vehicles. We still love our Cali SE, but wanted others to benefit from our knowledge as real world owners of both.
 
Ajspicer said:
No need to factor in hotel costs as the downstairs sleeping area is comparable to a Beach. Clean heating instead of noisy smelly diesel heater for camp site neighbours.

I was simply trying to give anyone thinking of making the switch to electric without having to wait 3 or more years for an electric Cali some of our thoughts as owners of both vehicles. We still love our Cali SE, but wanted others to benefit from our knowledge as real world owners of both.
Click to expand...
Hows the heating work when sleeping? Does it flatten the battery?
 
Ajspicer said:
No need to factor in hotel costs as the downstairs sleeping area is comparable to a Beach. Clean heating instead of noisy smelly diesel heater for camp site neighbours.

I was simply trying to give anyone thinking of making the switch to electric without having to wait 3 or more years for an electric Cali some of our thoughts as owners of both vehicles. We still love our Cali SE, but wanted others to benefit from our knowledge as real world owners of both.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the review AJ. I hope you have a blast in your new ride for the next few years, congrats.
 
The Tall Luthier said:
Thanks for the review AJ. I hope you have a blast in your new ride for the next few years, congrats.
Click to expand...
Thanks it will have pros and cons compared to the Cali I am sure.
 
flying banana said:
Hows the heating work when sleeping? Does it flatten the battery?
Click to expand...
Same as the Cali I presume, it takes its power source from the main drive supply. Only difference I guess is you can replace the battery power if you have electric hookup instead of going to a fuel station. I have also seen people recharging their electric vehicles when camping using pass through portable solar and an EcoFlow which is a cool clean idea.
 
Ajspicer said:
Same as the Cali I presume, it takes its power source from the main drive supply. Only difference I guess is you can replace the battery power if you have electric hookup instead of going to a fuel station. I have also seen people recharging their electric vehicles when camping using pass through portable solar and an EcoFlow which is a cool clean idea.
Click to expand...
Out of interest , today what is the range with heater and road lights on?
 
Good question, probably 180 to 190 if you drive at a speed appropriate for the weather conditions.
 
@Ajspicer Congrats, I think they are lovely, however it’s brave of you to suggest that it is a real and practical alternative to a Beach and certainly it can not be compared to a Coast or Ocean. Are you telling us or asking us?
 
I am expressing our opinion based on the sort of trips we go on with a drive away awning for 3 or 4 nights. Totally agree, we will miss lots of things about our lovely Cali, but a few additional bits and bobs like an EcoFlow, swivel seats and some form of table from one of the very clever converters already doing great things with the vehicle and I think we will be even happier with it. Just need Tesla to continue to open up their superchargers and we will be laughing. Providing we don’t try and charge on busy Boxing Day of course!
 
Road excise duty will be applicable to EVs from 2025. Also, I have heard that the insurance for EVs is higher but that may not be true.
 
scottk said:
Road excise duty will be applicable to EVs from 2025. Also, I have heard that the insurance for EVs is higher but that may not be true.
Click to expand...
Afraid so.

£400 insurance for our 2010 Cali
£520 insurance for our 2023 Buzz
 
You guys in the UK have it good. Cheap insurance and extended warranties. The best quote I could get in Germany for MY23 Coast fully comp, unlimited mileage and additional drivers with 10 years No Claim Bonus was 680 Euro. 3 year extended factory warranty about 1300 Euro.
 
chockswahay said:
@Ajspicer Congrats, I think they are lovely, however it’s brave of you to suggest that it is a real and practical alternative to a Beach and certainly it can not be compared to a Coast or Ocean. Are you telling us or asking us?
Click to expand...

This is why I cancelled mine.
Without a poptop, swivel chairs, auxiliary power it just becomes an expensive people carrier with some annoying software controlling everything.
I was fully onboard for going Tesla. But after 4 months without a California, we’re looking into buying another…
 
Last edited:
soulstyledevon said:
This is why I cancelled mine.
Without a poptop, swivel chairs, auxiliary power it’s just becomes an expensive people carrier with some annoying software controlling everything.
I was fully onboard for going Tesla. But after 4 months without a California, we’re looking into buying another…
Click to expand...
These are the things that are still bothering me regarding the Buzz. Swivel seats are now available and aux power via a ecoflow or Bluetti is far better than the Cali onboard inverter and leisure batteries.

How we will miss the pop top remains to be seen, I don’t think we will miss it when camping but will miss it on a one night road trip stopover for sure.

Totally agree about software, I just want my heated seat buttons back!!!
 
Ajspicer said:
I am expressing our opinion based on the sort of trips we go on with a drive away awning for 3 or 4 nights. Totally agree, we will miss lots of things about our lovely Cali, but a few additional bits and bobs like an EcoFlow, swivel seats and some form of table from one of the very clever converters already doing great things with the vehicle and I think we will be even happier with it. Just need Tesla to continue to open up their superchargers and we will be laughing. Providing we don’t try and charge on busy Boxing Day of course!
Click to expand...
Drive away awnings hardly make up for the difference between two vehicles. I could take a Smart car and a 6 man tent but it doesn’t make it a California!!
 
We are a family of 4 with 2 young girls. Our Cali simply doesn’t accommodate 4 comfortably without an awning or tent as overflow. Possibly in a country with guaranteed sunshine like in the sales brochure, but not on a damp day on the Cornish coast.
 
Ajspicer said:
These are the things that are still bothering me regarding the Buzz. Swivel seats are now available and aux power via a ecoflow or Bluetti is far better than the Cali onboard inverter and leisure batteries.

How we will miss the pop top remains to be seen, I don’t think we will miss it when camping but will miss it on a one night road trip stopover for sure.

Totally agree about software, I just want my heated seat buttons back!!!
Click to expand...

Are the swivels OEM…?
 
soulstyledevon said:
Are the swivels OEM…?
Click to expand...
No, as far as I am aware they are from a well known supplier in Europe who make access adaption equipment for disabled modifications. OEM will come later I’m sure, they just take time. I would imagine the ID California is sure to have swivel seats when it’s developed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Martin
VW California 10 year HP deal
Replies
2
Views
2K
Martin
Martin
thehorse
Add high miles or buy backup car?
2 3
Replies
58
Views
6K
Velma's Dad
Velma's Dad
Y
New v's second hand beach
Replies
3
Views
1K
younieg
Y
B
Beach or Ocean
2 3
Replies
74
Views
11K
M88GAV
M88GAV
BugglePopples
Considering a California Beach for adventures with my family of 4
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
BugglePopples
BugglePopples

Useful links

VW California Club

  • Comfort Insurance
  • VIP Membership
  • Comfort Insurance
  • CampervanBits Accessories
  • Conquest
  • Hire a Vw California

About us

The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Back
Top