Need VW Bus buying help

[surflvr911sc]

I'm interested in the following bus and would like to know what you guys think. This will be my first (and probably only) bus, and will be used for camping. Thanks for your opinons.

1965 Deluxe Walk thru pop top camper

[jrdavid68]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

[TerryBPP]

Is $25k the going rate on a paint faded and rusted (under the engine panel) VW bus? Thats pretty sporty.

[surflvr911sc]

OG paint split buses aren't cheap, but I don't think I would pay more than $20k for this one if it turned out to be the 'right' bus.

I have been looking at the bus market for about a year and a half now, and I'm now ready to buy when the right bus comes along. I knew I would get a brutally honest opinion from you guys though, thanks and keep them coming.

[john walker's workshop]

old busses usually need a ton of work, not counting body rust. they usually need a complete brake job right off. the prices are pretty stupid these days, but 20K for a 13 window seems way too high. do you like to take it slow and easy on your camping trips, downshifting to 2nd gear to climb hills? i love the split busses, but in reality, they're a hobby vehicle and not too great for travelling around the country.

[ckissick]

As John says, the old busses are more a hobby bus, rather than a long-haul. Do you really want the old style bus for more than a camper? If so, fine. Otherwise, a vanagon camper would be far better. I've travelled 500 miles in one day in mine with no trouble.

[widebody911]

The bus market is crazy right now, and hence, you have people slapping ***** together and asking big bucks, hoping that someone across the pond will take it off their hands. In this example, someone took a 13-window deluxe and welded in an SO-42 top hatch, and then made their own camper interior. I don't see $25k in this bus, unless there's $15k in small denomination, non-sequential, unmarked bills stashed in those cabinets.

If you have $25k and a hardon for a camper, this one is a better bet. It's 10x nicer, and it's a legit Westfalia, not a homemade hack. I think it's still a bit over-priced; perhaps if it was a walk-through and didn't have all the speakers cut into the panels.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=502687

[rammstein]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

old busses usually need a ton of work, not counting body rust. they usually need a complete brake job right off. the prices are pretty stupid these days, but 20K for a 13 window seems way too high. do you like to take it slow and easy on your camping trips, downshifting to 2nd gear to climb hills? i love the split busses, but in reality, they're a hobby vehicle and not too great for travelling around the country.

Throw a WRX engine in there- weeeeee! (assuming its possible)

[daepp]

Dude - if you're serious about camping, check out gowesty.com. They have resolved all problems with westphalia water boxers, they convert them etc. These guys are experts.

Of course, I still love the splitties, so long as you don't ahve to be practical.

[daepp]

Numerous engine mods, custom bumpers, entertainment system, solar panels, Recaros. Very *****en work!

I took these at Go Westy (in Los Osos, CA) while they were installing new (original look) seat belts in my early 911.

[911boost]

Having owned a bus, that we used for camping, don't plan on going up any real long hills, and avoid the mountains in just about any state.

I'd love to have a double cab, and will someday, but not right now. The prices are crazy high right now.

Bill

[surflvr911sc]

Thanks guys, great comments. Your right about the bus market being crazy right now; not the best time to buy but I’m headed that way as soon as I find the right one.

This bus will not go more than a flat hundred miles at a time. I spend a lot of time camping on the beach and would like something that makes the one nighters a little easier than a tent and has some fun/cool factor too.

My biggest fear is a bad restoration, so that’s why I was looking at this OG bus. I don’t want a project, although I don’t fear mechanicals at all; the rust/body/paint work is another story.

Edit: I'm only interested in split windows, otherwise I would head in the 4x4 safari/conversion van direction instead.

[azasadny]

I had a '69 bus when I was in the Navy and it was slow and rusty, good for camping but not good on the CA highways or mountain roads. I also had an '85 Westfalia that was much better and faster (for VW Vans, that is). I'd stick with the Westfalia and be sure the canvas is good and the screens are not shredded because that stuff can get expensive!

[porsche930dude]

haha isnt it ironic here we are all porsche owners compaining how expensive vw bus parts are

[surflvr911sc]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

haha isnt it ironic here we are all porsche owners compaining how expensive vw bus parts are

LOL, So true!

[chapo]

I am looking at a pretty rust free 68 double cab right now to drive to work and back. About 3 miles. Any problems with 68's outside of drum brakes?

[Evans, Marv]

I had a '64 camper, a '67 bus, and a '70 camper back in the day. I bought the '70 with 42K miles on it for $1800 and sold it with 220K on it for $1200. I went thru 5 engines in that thing.
I wouldn't touch an old VW camper/bus with a 10 foot pole, unless I just wanted it to tinker with it because I didn't have anything else in life to do. The are slooooow, the brakes are crappy, they are actually small in side. I could go on. However I must say I did enjoy countless afternoon delights in mine.

[nota]

when did the transfer cases die
how any motor with so little power could break gears?
I would not buy any older bus with them

I would stay with the new type4 motor bus
they are so much better in power
and canNOT see the insane prices on the old POS bus
sure they look cool but running/driving one is a nitemere

a buddy just sold a semi-junk 72 for 300
I was tempted but passed tooo much rust!!!!!!!!

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by chapo

I am looking at a pretty rust free 68 double cab right now to drive to work and back. About 3 miles. Any problems with 68's outside of drum brakes?

I have a '68 single cab, and there's nothing 'wrong' with drum brakes per se, as long as the whole system is up to snuff.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

My biggest fear is a bad restoration, so that’s why I was looking at this OG bus.

That thing you're looking at is not "OG"