Riding High on Free Spirits

You cannot have failed to notice a significant increase in the number of camper vans pootling along British roads over the last few years. The pandemic really prompted a desire to get out and about but in a controlled personal environment. I know camping isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but I found myself undeniably attracted to the idea of a quick getaway and the ability to pitch up almost anywhere and relax.

In the Spring, after much research I bought my first camper van from Free Spirit, based near Chichester. Like many, I had grown up with a fondness for the VW Beetle (thanks in part to Herbie and the 1972 Streisand and O’Neal film What’s Up Doc?) and its bigger partner the camper van. There is something reassuringly simple about the shape and sound, but of course the original vehicles are all now considerably older than me – and I need a reasonable amount of care, let alone a vehicle.

Like most, my default setting was heading towards club VW, that was until I looked at what I was getting, invariably a converted diesel tradesman’s, couriers or ex-breakdown van, all of which have had a serious amount of ‘stress-beating’ before then being gutted and converted into a camper. Thankfully I came across Ian and his team at Free Spirit. They import Japanese vehicles – unleaded petrol, steering wheel on the right side, well-maintained in a climate that makes life hard for rust. I ended up with a much better vehicle, it cost significantly less money than its VW competitor and having been designed as a luxury exec vehicle in image-conscious Tokyo, is a much more comfortable and smooth ride (it’s a Mercedes).

It’s early days in my camper van experiences, but I’ve already been able to enjoy rolling up to music festivals in fields, pulling up to a fantastic view of a sunlit coastline, then unrolling the bed to simply relax with a cup of coffee. I’m delighted. It’s probably not the typical vehicle that a financial adviser drives and I’ve had many battles with my own ego of ‘what a car says about me’ over the years. In my three-and-a-bit decades as an adviser, I’ve only been asked twice about what car I drive (by a client). I have no idea what you would think about cars or the car I might drive, but my suspicion is that if I turned up to your house in a new Ferrari (or even an old one) you would possibly think I am charging you too much!  I’ve had this debate (sorry ‘discussion’) with peers before and I know many don’t walk their talk.

A camper van is not for everyone of course and it’s a fairly large vehicle (I even went long-wheel base), so it’s fortunate that I have a decent driveway at home (and at the office!). I’d be curious to learn what car you think your financial adviser ought to drive… I assume there are various scales at play – the price, brand, age and of course the affordable value purchase, versus desired aspirational one, all of which is subjective and reflects your own values.

I know several of you have camper vans or have considered getting one as part of your retirement treat (it’s not mine) but as ever, I suggest speaking to experts, people that do this stuff all day every day and not to be solely persuaded by lifestyle marketing and a sense of nostalgia. As ever, your decisions are best based on your values and earmarked resources. I can certainly recommend a discussion with Ian at Free Spirit, he has a great business and I’ve been delighted with their service, a simple five stars from me.