talk me outta buying a Westfalia. please.

[creaturecat]

looking at 92-94 Westfalia CV's
they were imported to Canada, not the USA.
slightly shorter, with the German interior set-up. rather than the Winnebago.
equipped with the 5 cyl Audi, seems like the 5 speed is the desirable one. 5k to repair the problematic automatic, so i've been told.
prices range from 17 -30k for the most part. Cdn pesos.

advice appreciated. thx in advance.

[Arizona_928]

I test drove a 74 and it was not fun.


Newer ones might be better?
I would get a moonlander on a gas 1500 Chevy…

[1990C4S]

Get an air cooled Westfalia that's been converted to a Subaru engine. They are very good.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Thank you for the picture...I looked them up and I am very interested...nearly perfect for my needs...

https://www.radicaproducts.com/moonlander

https://www.radicaproducts.com/moonlander

Again, thank you!

[2.7RS]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=572665

[Tobra]

Talk you out of it,these guys?

[fastfredracing]

I have a couple in my rotation . The one is at about 250k. Mostly regular service with not many major repairs that I can remember. 5 cyl/5 speed.
One of my clients moved to Barstow Ca. He left here in a 74 vanagon, and came home, 10 years later , in a lifted 1.9 diesel powered westy ..
He has sunk Porsche race car type money into this van, but it is awesome in every way . I get big grins driving it every time .

[creaturecat]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I have a couple in my rotation . The one is at about 250k. Mostly regular service with not many major repairs that I can remember. 5 cyl/5 speed.
One of my clients moved to Barstow Ca. He left here in a 74 vanagon, and came home, 10 years later , in a lifted 1.9 diesel powered westy ..
He has sunk Porsche race car type money into this van, but it is awesome in every way . I get big grins driving it every time .

good info. ......... there is a nice diesel unit available here - most folks seem to diss the diesel.

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/nvn/rvs/d/bowen-island-1991-diesel-vw-eurovan/7755716685.html

[911boost]

Cannot speak to the newer ones, but I spent almost ten years with my '78 Westy.

Too small to do anything other than a quick weekend trip with, but if that is what you are looking for then go for it.

I prefer to have more room.

[craigster59]

I had kicked around the same idea way back when.

One of the Pelicans had a Subie Westy, I think it may have been Beygon.

One thing that stuck with me during my research was someone mentioned a point about those with kitchens and those without. They said they preferred the extra room of the kitchen-less version. The last thing you wanted to do was fry bacon for breakfast, hop into your Westy and smell cooking odors for the next few hundred miles. Tends to make the little ones (and some big ones) car sick.

[creaturecat]

what happened to BeyGon?
i entertained him and his wife in Vancouver. we had a great time - went to the Dealey Motorcycle Museum

[creaturecat]

the loss of a kitchen thing is a good point.
usually less expensive to buy, better performance due to less weight.

[911boost]

Mine had the sink, but no stove as I agree, I prefer to do my cooking outside for the most part when camping.

My new rig has a quick disconnect propane line and I hook up a Camp chef two burner.

None of my friends that have the big dollar Mercedes van conversions have anything but electric inside.

[1990C4S]

The gas stove is nice to have to warm up the cabin in the morning...

I do not know why you would spend $20k on a VW camper, when you can get a Ford or Chevy V8 camper for half the money, with a more reliable engine and drivetrain. And parts are available wherever you go.

[Deschodt]

>Talk me outta buying a Westfalia. please.

Sure. Don't buy a Westfalia. Book nice hotels like normal people that wanna stay married. Your wife will love the massage by the pool instead of sleeping in a box on wheels... Also you won't annoy people that cannot pass you on twisty mountain roads due to the ever present double yellows.. Good enough ? (you asked ;-)

If fairness, I don't see the attraction but I get that some would... Go ahead and do it, life's short. We're just a rubber stamping forum you know ;-)

[1990C4S]

The opposing view is that you can travel anywhere you want on your own schedule. Well, anywhere that your underpowered rattlecan on wheels can get to.

I'm on the fence right now, considering a motorhome for one long trip, then selling it. I can see the allure, but also all the maintenance, parking issues, and breakdowns.

[creaturecat]

underpowered is to be expected.
are the 1992 + years considered to be rattlecans?
there a difference? German Westy vs Winnebago Westy

[1990C4S]

Every RV I've been in has been a rattlecan. It's not the vehicle itself, it's the contents. You get used to it.

[cantdrv55]

I was camping last week on the Sonoma CA coast and ran into this couple. They are camping along the CA coast from LA then ending up in Tahoe. I want one of these but I’d have to sell a car first.

[creaturecat]

seems like almost zero depreciation. 30k+ - here, for a seemingly nice unit.

seam rust? is it inevitable? ....... i can't deal with an unsightly vehicle.