Hi from Cumbria

We have just bought an Excelsior and have yet to make our first trip out. Drove it back from the seller on Monday and managed to squeeze it on to the drive - 1" clear at the back and 3" overhang on to the pavement!! Hope the neighbours don't take umbrage - it does look very big. We changed our car for one suitable for a touring caravan, but then changed our minds as we did not fancy towing, so now we need to change back to a smaller car. Ouch!
Van is in excellent condition for its year, but I was a bit disappointed with how loud it was. I am not sure how my wife will cope with the din on a long journey.
I was also disappointed with the AS user manual. It has lots of words, but very few pictures which is not what one would expect from an instruction manual. Surely they could have taken a few pictures - even way back in 1998. 
However, I am optimistic about the purchase, I am sure we will be happy in the end.

Hello to all.
Alan

Welcome to the forum.     

Welcome! I'm a newbie on here too having just bought in the last month.

Know what you mean about the manual having just read the one for ours recently! AS obviously don't believe in 'a picture tells a thousand words' 

...welcome from another Cumbrian, down here in Kendal.

Noise is a very relative word, especially if you've always been used to a car. You'll soon find and eliminate all the annoying squeaks and rattles, all part of the learning process. You may it possible to reduce engine noise with an underbonnet insulation kit.
It can also be the case that a noisy engine on a short run settles down to an acceptable level when cruising at normal speeds on the open road.
I suspect, however, that it just needs time - and miles - to be familiar with the vehicle and "acclimatise" to its personality.

Hello they were very well made motor homes.. We had the 95 transit Amethyst and never found it noisy as such. Not like a car but hardly loud as such. You sure someone has not removed the under bonnet sound proofing or cab carpets or worse still your exhaust has a hole or something. I am amazed you say it is so loud. 
Just sold our soul to the Devil and got a new Fiat base motorhome, Old transit was far more comfortable to drive if you ask me. Get it checked out, parts still easily available for a 98, I'm sure it may have a little issue making it noisy. 

Hello Alan and from Leicestershire

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

Hi there and a big welcome to the forum from a sunny Filey 

Hello & welcome from S/Yorks 

Thanks for all the replies. I look forward to meeting some of you in person on our travels.

Hi, from Newark.