wallacebob Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Myself and management had a long look around a 2006 'van this morning. First time I've had a good look at a Hobby; very impressed with build and layout after several disappointing years in UK 'vans. This was a well used 'van, but was totally solid. I had intended to buy a 2-3 year old 'van, but this was impressive at 9 years old. I want my next caravan to last 3-4 years with minimum work, instead of continuous loose joinery/faults in UK vehicles. This layout appeals, as we want a small van, and like the U lounge/Fixed bed. Oven isn't a priority. Is this the best model? I know it's been done to death about Hobbys being stolen, or difficult to insure or site. I called CC insurance a got a very good quote - no shocks! Are there any real pitfalls or problems with Hobby ownership?? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barczyk Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 None at all. we are on our second 495 UFE. The first was a year 2000 model and was only changed because we fancied something newer. There was no problem at all with the 2000 van - build quality fantastic, everything worked perfectly with no issues. Our present 2006 model is just as good. We can see no reason to change to a different manufacturer and as you say the layout is perfect for us. David 1 David and Barbara Landrover Discovery with Hobby 495 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick J Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 No pitfalls as far as I'm concerned, only positives. ... 1 Volvo XC60 & Hobby Premium 540efu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlefish Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Let me join the happy hobby gang. we have a 2005 495UK which is currently up for sale (hint hint) The "UK" means "U" shaped seating and "K"ids bunks. Our Kids are not kids anymore so we are changing for a 2015 540 Ufe. - "e" means the sink is in "E"asy reach of the bed. I think you can brush your teeth while sitting up. ... So in 10 years we have had to replace the kitchen drawer catch. 1 screw had failed. That's all. Aygo, Sorento, DS3, Kea. Still love the Hobby brand, but we are currently hobbyless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobelcokid Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Let me join the happy hobby gang. we have a 2005 495UK which is currently up for sale (hint hint) The "UK" means "U" shaped seating and "K"ids bunks. Our Kids are not kids anymore so we are changing for a 2015 540 Ufe. - "e" means the sink is in "E"asy reach of the bed. I think you can brush your teeth while sitting up. ... So in 10 years we have had to replace the kitchen drawer catch. 1 screw had failed. That's all. Hi Candlefish, did you make U,K, AND E meanings yourself ? i have a K in my Hobby but no bunks Ste . ....One life, Don't waste it fixing LandRovers . Ford F350 SUPERDUTY Towing 640 Hobby @ 1% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlefish Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I may have amended them slightly, but U is defo for "U" shaped seats. f is for fantastic double bed that you can walkto - no climbing needed to get in. K really really does mean Kinder beds which are a bit like kinder eggs - for kids. L is for "L"onely sleeping or single beds. I would upload a list, but it is a gif, and I am not able. .. Go googling. .. Still - very happy with our Hobby. 1 Aygo, Sorento, DS3, Kea. Still love the Hobby brand, but we are currently hobbyless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallacebob Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks candlefish! As I do more research, I do like Germanic naming: makes more sense, but you need to know the "code". We have decided to persevere with our old Compass for one more season; Oxford/France/Lancs/Yorks home to Edinburgh. Then it may fall to bits! Shame, but she owes us nothing, and we have had lots of fun. So, Hobby will have to wait 'til end of summer at earliest. I am still amazed at low prices tho' for good quality used 'vans. I suppuse we benefit from other's prejudices? I'm on holiday down in Sth Spain just now - apartment - so may have a wee tour out to look at sites and vans used around here. Lovely weather BTW - sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlefish Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 We have thick snow now. (Lovely weather here too!) Aygo, Sorento, DS3, Kea. Still love the Hobby brand, but we are currently hobbyless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 The Hobby in this months CC magazine looks well Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlefish Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 The Hobby in this months CC magazine looks well That seems to be the first Hobby review in many many years. I might be wrong. I dont read cover-to-cover. Maybe they will do a review of one of the other grades soon. Not everyone can afford the top trim and weights. I'm still looking for the coding for the layouts. M is for middle seats. ... Aygo, Sorento, DS3, Kea. Still love the Hobby brand, but we are currently hobbyless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulthomas Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I may have amended them slightly, but U is defo for "U" shaped seats. f is for fantastic double bed that you can walkto - no climbing needed to get in. K really really does mean Kinder beds which are a bit like kinder eggs - for kids. L is for "L"onely sleeping or single beds. I would upload a list, but it is a gif, and I am not able. .. Go googling. .. Still - very happy with our Hobby. Does NO stand for "no oven". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Hobby model codes. UK 'specials' model do not always conform to these designations. S = Seitensitzgruppe = side seating B = Bug sitzgruppe = seating at the front end (Bug = bow - as in ship) U = Rundsitzgruppe = U shape seating M = Mittelsitzgruppe = middle seating K = Kinderbett = child beds = bunk F = Französisches Bett = French bed = double bed L = Langbetten = Long beds = single beds W = Waschraum = washroom = end toilet/shower room f = freistehend = free standing = island bed e = externes Bad = external bath = en suite toilet/shower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) Hi Candlefish, did you make U,K, AND E meanings yourself ? i have a K in my Hobby but no bunks 'Cos it's a UK special. ....... There is no SMF in the German range as the S (side seating) is only used for the 400/440 models but there are 650KMF and 720/750UMF models Edited March 9, 2015 by beejay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallacebob Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 Just to update; after a great three week trip in my old Compass my wife said "lovely, but never again until you get a fixed bed Hobby"! So, I obediently searched around, and found a nice 460UFE, collect her two in weeks time. Now no-one on CC sites will speak to me I suppose? Thanks for all the replies BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick J Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Congratulations on your new van, I trust you will have many happy years with her, wouldn't worry about the CC, we were on a CC site 3 weeks ago and there were up to 8 Hobby's on there. .. Volvo XC60 & Hobby Premium 540efu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts