I'm looking for a comfortable vehicle for road tripping, and I think that an old VW bus would fit the bill. Does anyone know of any for sale around here? Where would be a good place to look? I'd prefer a 1974-1979 Westfalia camper, but I won't be too picky since I'm trying not to spend much more than $2k.

8/23/2009 10:10:35 PM

http://www.google.com

8/23/2009 10:14:33 PM

thesamba.com

8/24/2009 12:07:38 AM

I got a '79 VW Bus ASI Riviera from Craigslist for $3500 a year ago. For $2k you aren't gonna get much, and unless you have any money to set aside for parts/repairs, getting one is not gonna be a wise decision. I've put $1400 in mine since then, but then again I want a reliable vehicle that I can hold on to.

8/24/2009 12:20:14 AM

These days Volksies in good running condition for cheap are a fairy tale. 20 years ago it was a different story, but now, they are indeed rare, and even the shitty ones command a good penny.

You WILL spend a lot of money on replacement parts, not because they are so damn expensive, but because you'll have to fix so damn much.

You've picked one of the more expensive ones to repair as well, as '74 to '79 are Type IV engines...and parts for those are more rare and much more expensive. The '68 to '71 ones are much cheaper to maintain, mainly because they use the original Type II engine, which is little more than a Type I engine (think bug) with a rear engine mount added. They don't have gobs of power, and don't expect to cruise any faster than 65, maybe 70. Another plus is that there's no problematic fuel injection system on the earlier ones.

It's an overly romanticized idea, with heavy wanna-be hippie influence, and if you do it just because you think the whole idea is just cool, you are likely to be in for a hell of a reality check when you end up with a seized engine or one that just dropped a valve...because nobody works on them for cheap anymore. It's a lost art.

If you have decent mechanical ability, spend your time studying up on them, get you a copy of the John Muir Compleat Idiot book, a good set of tools, and good sources of spare parts...because you'll need all of them.

I've worked on an assload of these things...and one thing I know is that what you don't pay for up front and what you don't educate yourself on beforehand will bite you squarely in your underfunded, undereducated ass.

The plus side is you can seriously develop a great love affair with an air-cooled Volkswagen...a cultural and generational icon that really has moved the world literally and figuratively. Just don't kid yourself into thinking that such a charming mistress WON'T turn out to be an expensive one with lots of trials and tribulations. This ain't a high school love affair, sweetheart.

8/24/2009 1:30:17 AM

^ i love you so much, dan

8/24/2009 9:39:32 AM

No homo, Ricky, LOL.

8/24/2009 9:53:52 AM

my old roommate bought one a few years ago for 2k, without an engine

he then proceeded to have someone build one, put it in and then began working the kinks out

about 6k later, he took a few camping trips in it and sold it

true story.

8/24/2009 12:09:51 PM

buy an old chevy/gmc G20 conversion van, there is one for sale in clayton for 2k

8/24/2009 1:26:25 PM

Pickup Truck
Camper top.

You're welcome.

8/24/2009 1:28:11 PM

Quote :

"'m looking for a comfortable vehicle for road tripping"

on the other hand, there is a plethora of used 90's soccer mom/mexian minivans that will offer more comfortable and safe ride than a westphalia and will still fit your budget. it won't look so hip, but hey you are looking for a comfrtable vehicle for roadtripping. maybe even be able to get a conversion van with a table and sviwel seats if you look hard enough.

8/24/2009 1:28:52 PM

I've found that I can get a lot of hotel rooms for far less than the cost of a shitty vehicle that I have to work on all the time.

8/24/2009 1:35:28 PM

Quote :

"on the other hand, there is a plethora of used 90's soccer mom/mexian minivans that will offer more comfortable and safe ride than a westphalia and will still fit your budget. it won't look so hip, but hey you are looking for a comfrtable vehicle for roadtripping. maybe even be able to get a conversion van with a table and sviwel seats if you look hard enough."

Add to that...the gas mileage that a VW bus gets...well, even with the miniscule engine with shit for power...it's usually not much if any better than a conversion van.

8/24/2009 1:41:34 PM

Quote :

"No homo, Ricky, LOL."

damn, forgot the [nohomo]...my bad >.<

8/24/2009 2:42:32 PM

I had an opportunity to pick up a fully restored 1979 Westfalia for $2,500... still fucking kicking myself for not biting the bullet on it. It was absolutely gorgeous and had full service records (as well as a brand new drivetrain)

8/24/2009 3:35:55 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Quote :

"Pickup Truck Camper top."

I looked at a 91 F250 with a camper top yesterday, but I've decided not to buy it since it wouldn't get more than 15mpg. I like the idea of a vehicle with the cab open to the rest of the space, so a pickup isn't really high on my list (though for the right price, a compact pickup with a long bed and camper shell would work).

I grew up a VW kid, as my mother has owned a 1974 Super Beetle since before I was born (it's in rough shape, but still kickin). I've always wanted a bus or camper, and now I finally have some money saved, and since I'm looking for a roadtrip vehicle, I figure now might be the time to take the leap. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I think I could do a lot of the work on it myself.

The reason I'd prefer a '74-'79 is the bigger engine mainly (the bigger popup bed is a plus too). I'd like to steer clear of a '72 since it apparently lacks an engine hatch, making it more difficult to work on.

I've considered conversion vans, but I doubt there is anything out there in my price range that would get any kind of reasonable gas mileage. I'd rather just go with a minivan if I end up taking that route.

8/24/2009 5:23:23 PM

I love VW's and have owned many. Here are some more cons:

*Your feet are the front bumper. Remember, Volkswagens have killed more people than Hitler.

*No Air Conditioning. Yes, I'm sure it was an option on so and so model year, but you're not apt to find one with working A/C, and you can't spare the horsepower for it anyway.

I also would suggest a minivan.(or possibly those little toyota truck campers they made back in the 80's, but they're pretty weak and don't get that great of mileage either) Black out the back windows, install a curtain behind the drivers seat, maybe even cut a hole in the roof for a camper A/C. Add a small generator, a gas stove and a chamber pot and you're camping!

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 5:47 PM. Reason : Do they still make those gasoline powered heaters like the VW campers had?]

8/24/2009 5:45:39 PM

MR

T

VAN


SMC is correct about the horrible crashablity of anything air cooled and VW, the Very Worst thing to be in an accident with.

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 6:41 PM. Reason : old ford diesel + popup camper on a flatbed is where Id go]

8/24/2009 6:39:44 PM

Quote :

"*No Air Conditioning. Yes, I'm sure it was an option on so and so model year, but you're not apt to find one with working A/C, and you can't spare the horsepower for it anyway."

The one I had a chance to get had a separate A/C system. No clue how it worked (my guess is a separate gas tank somewhere), but it apparently worked really well.

^The good thing about them is they pretty much top out at 55mph, so at least you have a chance to get ejected from the vehicle in a crash and live

8/24/2009 7:22:38 PM

Impressive performance by zxappeal...

8/24/2009 8:53:35 PM

Quick Response and Good Feedback. Highly Recommend A+++++

8/24/2009 9:47:41 PM

just a week ago I was talking about Westfalias with the resident VW nut at work. He pointed me to thesamba and showed me several nice examples for 15k+, i was amazed.

8/24/2009 9:52:08 PM

yeah I'm not looking for anything in the nice category... part of the appeal to me is working on it myself

8/24/2009 10:07:31 PM

Quote :

"Impressive performance by zxappeal..."

*takes a bow* -Thank you so much, Ahmet...

Air-cooled VWs are one of my very first and broadest automotive love affairs...I grew up in a period where there were very few people who HADN'T owned a Volks of some sort. My dad loved his '66, even though he went through three engines in the time that he owned it. Interestingly enough, about 3 years ago, I met the guy who bought it from us in 1976. They rebuilt the engine and drove that car to hell and back, and when I met him, he had recently sold it.

I went on to own a '74, the last of the carbed Type I's...and a portent of things to come, as it was the first of the Type I's to feature EGR. Mine was the gold "sport" Type 113 (Super) with the factory sporty looking steel wheels and a sunroof. My best friend had a '74 Karmann Ghia.

If you're mechanically inclined and WELL EDUCATED on the ins and outs of owning an air-cooled VW, I say go for it...but the immediate and long term costs CANNOT be in the top three of your reasons for owning one because, though they were touted as cheap and reliable in their heyday, they pale in comparison to a modern-day (or even 20 year old) Chevrolet or Ford van. Even the Type IV engines have squat for power...and the gas mileage argument is a totally moot point.

Many of the Type IIs did come with air conditioning...and it's a system exactly like you'd find on any other vehicle...unless somebody equipped it with a rooftop Coleman unit.

8/25/2009 12:32:44 AM

i know a guy that owns a vanagon.. it would make a great camper. a little less retro, but easier to find and cheaper.

i woudlnt mind owning a syncro (awd) vanagon at some point in the future.

the biggest down side is the crash safety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPpU5azjCB8

8/25/2009 9:56:48 AM

I'm wondering how the syncros hold up...you know, that whole visous coupling thing.

I just wish Volks had attempted to build a wasserboxer diesel instead of using the inline four on its side in the diesel Vanagons. And added turbo to it.

8/25/2009 12:51:05 PM

^^I've been looking at Vanagons as well. I've been told to avoid '84 or '85 to '87 model years as they are likely to have problems that are a pain in the ass to fix. The earlier ones apparently still had the air cooled engine and were easier to work on. I think the later ones would definitely be out of my price range.

What are your thoughts on Vanagons ZX?

8/25/2009 5:34:15 PM

vw vanagon, vw bus, does not matter, they are all huge peices of shit AVOID AT ALL COSTS

[Edited on August 25, 2009 at 10:01 PM. Reason : LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL]

8/25/2009 10:00:53 PM

I actually really want to buy that GMC van off 70 in Clayton like whoa. I have to drive by it twice a day and each time get a little bit of a boner just thinking about the epic pass outs that could be accomplished if I owned such a vehicle.

8/26/2009 11:31:17 PM

Just bought an '82 Vanagon. I'll probably start tearing it apart in the next few weeks to replace seals.

9/19/2009 11:14:26 AM

I bought a ford windstar for $500 that needed less than $50 and several hours of my time to fix.

9/19/2009 12:30:29 PM

9/19/2009 12:46:14 PM

did you ever buy one?

10/16/2009 10:15:59 AM