vanagons and 911s

[nostatic]

any vanagon owners (past or present)? We are thinking of dumping the 4-runner and getting a vanagon so we can do some camping. Its time to start taking more vacations. Any pros and cons of various years? I remember seeing one at Autofest that had a 3.2 in it...should have bought that one (obligatory 911 content).

[azasadny]

I had an '85 Vanagon Westfalia that I bought from a guy I met on eBay (I bought a drumset from him). I had the Westy for a summer, then sold it when a guy offered me twice what I paid for it. It seems he is a rock climber and he wanted to use the camper for rock climbing trips. He put 60,000 miles on the VW engine before it blew and he replaced it with an engine from a Jetta. It seems someone in Texas imports the new engines, put them in an "update kit" and ships them to you to install in your Vanagon. He loves the new engine and I can get more info from him if you're interested...

[Randy Webb]

There are several vanagon forums on the net. Use Googe.

The synchro version is 4wd, very spendy and is said to break down a lot.

BTW, VW is on track to build a "new bus" for '05 -- will use the Tuareg body/frame. Should be a nice retro looking thing with modern emissions, safety and reliability. I'm hoping for one.

[kstar]

Here's a look at what Randy may be talking about:

http://www.vanagon.com/media/concept/

That "concept" looks pretty cool.

BR,

Kurt

[nostatic]

yeah, I saw that a few years ago at the LA auto show. I think I read it will be an '07 release. Plus it won't be cheap. I'm thinking either a very well sorted Vanagon camper, or maybe a Eurovan camper (if I can find one that isn't $25K).

[maxnine11]

Cheech and/or Chong not included

[SpeedracerIndy]

My parents had one when I was younger. It was a fun and roomy car, but broke down a lot. Had an issue with head gaskets always leaking. They sold it after only a few years. What was the engine that was used in those? Wasn't it a water cooled 2.0 H4? If I recall correctly, they also had cooling problems.

[greenmonster]

Only the 1980-1983 V'gons are aircooled, so if you're looking for an aircooled camper, those are the years you'll be limited too.

The Busdepot has a pretty good late model VW camper buyer guide here:

http://busdepot.com/links.jsp#GUIDE

You might also want to check out http://www.vanagon.com/

[Tim Polzin]

Originally posted by maxnine11
Cheech and/or Chong not included

Hey Max:

Were you considering upgrading for those Cali-Alberta trips? Should hold lots of Molsons.

Tim

[Drago]

Nostatic,

Send Island911 and email, I believe his daily driver is a Vanagon.

[no substitute]

Walker has a VW something with 3.2 in it.

[maxnine11]

Tim,
I am sure that would REALLY help me cross the border with ease!
max

[JP911]

Two of my good friends (and rock climbing partners) have Vanagons. The first is an 81 camper with stock engine. It is really convenient to pull into a campsite and just pop the top and go to sleep, but it is painfully slow (85 horsepower? and approx 2 tons). It has the sink, stove, and refrig. The other is a mid-80s synchro weekender (has pop top and fold out lower bed but no stove, refrig. or sink). The synchro has a 2.0 liter Jetta motor in it and is much more reasonable on the freeway, but by no means fast. The synchro is nice for climbing approaches that require an offroad vehicle. If it were me, I would look for a eurovan weekender (with pop top, but no stove, sink or refrig) with the VR6 engine.

[BlueMax]

I've got two Vanagons, 84 and 89. 84 was rebuild at 100k due to leaking heads (common as stated earlier), the 89 is at 165k and engines never been opened. Both get the same service and attention as the 911. The 89 is a noticable step up from 84, power everything It was lowered by the factory and came with alloy wheels. I added Bilsteins. In many ways it has same handling characteristics as the 911. Lots of room. The newer FW drive is not as much fun. Like 911, I'll keep these forever,

[Glasgow 911SC]

Why not buy a brand new VW Camper

[greenmonster]

Originally posted by Glasgow 911SC
Why not buy a brand new VW Camper

Nope, no can do. It won't meet DOT and EPA requirements.

Well, unless you buy a couple to crash test.... etc. etc.

The baywindow bus boys on the www.type2.com list have discussed this to no end. These are the ones built by VW of Brazil. I'd love to own a "new" baywindow bus, but I'll guess I'll have to stick with my old 79

EDIT: Ouch. At the current exchange rate they'll go for about $25K USA + shipping even if you could import 'em legally into the USA. For 25K you should be able to find a real nice Syncro (awd) Westfalia.

[Randy Webb]

The new ones are spendy and have very little ground clearance.

[speeder]

That's the first pics I've seen of the new "retro" VW bus, it looks fantastic! I will want one for sure. I looked at new Eurovans this year, they are pretty nice and someone on the board has one, but I wasn't crazy about the interior space/layout. The int. layout of the '80-'91 is pretty hard to beat when they have the booth/table and fold-out rear seat/bed, the problem is finding clean ones + the head gasket issues.

I am a Vanagon fanatic, I want one w/ the weekender package, (bed+table), I don't care for Westies. I've owned several older Westies, actually I did like the one w/o pop-up roof. I don't have kids, so no need for the cot above, and talk about extra weight in the worst possible place!!

That and height clearance issues, (parking garages, etc.), wind resistence, blah, blah........

Don't get a syncro (4WD) unless you really need it, they get about the same gas milage as a Ford F-350 dually crew-cab. 4000 lbs., drive train leeching power, the wind resistence of a sail+ a 95HP engine Good luck moving uphill.

Give me a smooth-top 2WD w/ weekender pack., w/ 3.2 carrera power, (1st choice), or Subaru power, (2nd choice).

[CRNT918]

I had a '91 Carat, and I miss it.
Around town, it was much more fun to drive than my SC.
Someday, I'll build one with a SC motor in it.
Keep buying those Lotto tickets!

[Randy Webb]

We're gonna have to start mentioned Porsche engine swaps or this OT thd is going to get moved.

I wonder if the Cayenne turbo V-8 will fit into the new bus?