# I've Seen One! **Source:** https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/ive-seen-one.56511/ **Posts:** 25 --- ### — 2024-11-29T20:29:28+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) Was taking our Cali in for a service at Breeze and they have a T7 California in the showroom. Had a look around and a chat. Is much smaller inside than I thought. ![1000020942.jpg](images\1000020942-jpg.131111 "1000020942.jpg") ![1000020941.jpg](images\1000020941-jpg.131112 "1000020941.jpg") ![1000020938.jpg](images\1000020938-jpg.131113 "1000020938.jpg") ![1000020939.jpg](images\1000020939-jpg.131114 "1000020939.jpg") There are a lot of great details like the control screen in the back, twin sliding doors, great in the UK, and how you can access the fridge from the open door. But it didn't jump out and say 'Buy me!' like my T6.1 did. I think it would be great for couples, but not for a family of 4 and a dog like us. --- ### — 2024-11-29T20:33:53+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) What was the build quality like, did it feel like an upgrade from the T6.1? --- ### — 2024-11-29T20:50:59+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) The only thing that appeals to me is accessing the fridge without climbing in the back, no handbrake and a better ride. Put that in a T6.1 body and I’d be tempted. --- ### — 2024-11-29T20:56:01+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) One thing that I still don’t get is how the water filling works. On the T6.1, you fill the water until it overflows since there’s no way to know when it’s full. But on the T7, the water thing is inside the boot as we can see in the last picture above. So you don’t want to overflow for sure. So how does it work then? It must be obvious but I can’t work it out. --- ### — 2024-11-29T21:04:28+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) > [Gecko\_Bioyag77 said:](/goto/post?id=731717) > > What was the build quality like, did it feel like an upgrade from the T6.1? > > Click to expand... I couldn't really tell without having a proper test drive. Then I could have a play with everything. --- ### — 2024-11-29T21:06:42+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) > [2haw said:](/goto/post?id=731723) > > The only thing that appeals to me is accessing the fridge without climbing in the back, no handbrake and a better ride. > > Put that in a T6.1 body and I’d be tempted. > > Click to expand... I completely agree. Looking back at the photos I wouldn't be able to fit my golf clubs in the boot, it looks too narrow. --- ### — 2024-11-29T21:18:11+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) > [RosscoPCole74 said:](/goto/post?id=731714) > > Was taking our Cali in for a service at Breeze and they have a T7 California in the showroom. Had a look around and a chat. Is much smaller inside than I thought. > [View attachment 131111](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/attachments/131111/)[View attachment 131112](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/attachments/131112/)[View attachment 131113](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/attachments/131113/)[View attachment 131114](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/attachments/131114/) > There are a lot of great details like the control screen in the back, twin sliding doors, great in the UK, and how you can access the fridge from the open door. But it didn't jump out and say 'Buy me!' like my T6.1 did. I think it would be great for couples, but not for a family of 4 and a dog like us. > > Click to expand... I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping. --- ### — 2024-11-29T21:56:41+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) And no under bench storage. --- ### — 2024-11-29T22:17:36+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) It looks great for posh picnics but not for camping. --- ### — 2024-11-29T22:42:06+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) water fill in boot - plug in under bonnet. ! EDIT - just watch a review plug in is in the same place as before. --- ### — 2024-11-29T23:27:55+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) Looks poorly designed to me. Certainly not the product of many years of evolution. I think you guys with the 6.1s have probably got the best calis out there (after the 5.1 of course). --- ### — 2024-11-29T23:38:22+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) Thanks for sharing this [@RosscoPCole74](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/members/35543/) --- ### — 2024-11-29T23:38:53+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) > [Meoncoast said:](/goto/post?id=731743) > > water fill in boot - plug in under bonnet. ! > > Click to expand... Seriously!! The more I hear the worse it gets! Designed by people who don't go camping. The triumph of appearance over practicality. No wonder VW is in a state of decline at the moment. --- ### — 2024-11-29T23:42:21+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) One of the reasons we recently replaced our T6 with a new T6.1 was I do to like the look of the T7 both inside and out. My personal view so getting a van now gives me 8 years or so to decide where next. --- ### — 2024-11-29T23:45:02+0100 (Nov 29, 2024) Hmmmm.....no. --- ### — 2024-11-30T00:20:19+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [Mehdime said:](/goto/post?id=731724) > > One thing that I still don’t get is how the water filling works. On the T6.1, you fill the water until it overflows since there’s no way to know when it’s full. > > But on the T7, the water thing is inside the boot as we can see in the last picture above. So you don’t want to overflow for sure. So how does it work then? It must be obvious but I can’t work it out. > > Click to expand... Probably have to carry a drip tray! --- ### — 2024-11-30T01:25:08+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [The Little Red Cali said:](/goto/post?id=731728) > > I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping. > > Click to expand... Can they slide forward and recline, lounger style? --- ### — 2024-11-30T15:50:10+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) Take it the back storage area is a good bit narrower than a T5/6? --- ### — 2024-11-30T16:31:48+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [The Little Red Cali said:](/goto/post?id=731728) > > I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping. > > Click to expand... A lot of wasted space beneath as well. I’d miss the capacity of the bench drawer --- ### — 2024-11-30T16:34:14+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [Hawthorn37 said:](/goto/post?id=731734) > > And no under bench storage. > > Click to expand... There is a sliding drawer under each seat, but can’t be anything like the capacity of the bench drawer I’m waiting for my dealer to email me that there’s one in the showroom. --- ### — 2024-11-30T16:34:48+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [Azteccamper said:](/goto/post?id=731757) > > Can they slide forward and recline, lounger style? > > Click to expand... 6.1 bench can --- ### — 2024-11-30T16:35:33+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [Meoncoast said:](/goto/post?id=731750) > > 8 years or so to decide where next. > > Click to expand... Why wait 8 years if you like a T7? --- ### B — 2024-11-30T17:53:43+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) I appreciate that probably most on this forum aren't fans of the T7, but one thing I wonder is where the traditional Cali buyers will go next. I get that many are snapping up the last of the new 6.1's and some may go nearly new for a while. But many buyers are only going to want to buy new, so a used 6.1 will be discounted as a choice. I certainly wanted only brand new when I got my 6.1. Where do you think these buyers will go if it's not the T7? I appreciate some may go for new conversions but many like the idea of a manufacturer conversion so does that mean the Marco Polo or Nugget will be more in demand????? --- ### — 2024-11-30T17:56:49+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [Barry Chuckle said:](/goto/post?id=731796) > > I appreciate that probably most on this forum aren't fans of the T7, but one thing I wonder is where the traditional Cali buyers will go next. I get that many are snapping up the last of the new 6.1's and some may go nearly new for a while. But many buyers are only going to want to buy new, so a used 6.1 will be discounted as a choice. I certainly wanted only brand new when I got my 6.1. > > Where do you think these buyers will go if it's not the T7? I appreciate some may go for new conversions but many like the idea of a manufacturer conversion so does that mean the Marco Polo or Nugget will be more in demand????? > > Click to expand... Both of those are 3rd party conversions. Westfalia is the conversion company. --- ### B — 2024-11-30T18:00:36+0100 (Nov 30, 2024) > [WelshGas said:](/goto/post?id=731797) > > Both of those are 3rd party conversions. Westfalia is the conversion company. > > Click to expand... Lack of knowledge on my part, but does the fact they are sold by the van manufacturer rather than the converter mean the former would be responsible for any habitation issues? ---