What do we think of the VW Westfalia?
 

My SIL is interested in a 1995 Westy with 120k miles. No rust, new auto transmission, seems well maintained and has all records from two previous owners. Asking $28k. She will see it this weekend. Should we (she’s dragging me into this) even do that or is it a piece of crap year/model? Part of the charm of old VWs is that anyone can fix most things that go wrong but things go wrong at the worst possible time. If the Westy of this vintage has the same reputation, I’ll advise her to walk away. Also, what do you think of the price? TIA all.

Does she do a lot of camping?

Lots of camping, hiking, totally outdoorsy

Then totally worth it. It beats driving a camper/caravan.

is she a great mechanic?

does she own a body shop?

if so, then totally worth it for the grooviness factor

Eurovan. meh.

I'm partial to the older stuff. IMO the 1986 - 90 vanagon. -rear engine and water cooled (great cabin heat)

She has a checkbook for repairs

go for it

all the hipsters are driving up prices, so watch out

We’ll check it out

I don't think there was a Westfalia in 1995. Maybe a Eurovan camper or the sorts.

It's a sickness.
The earlier 83-91 Vanagon Westies are cool,
the Eurovan campers, not so well liked.
Model Choice: Are You a Vanagon or Eurovan Person?
https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=2

Auto trans in the eurovan notoriously fickle. Also, vanagons are DIY friendly in the spirit of volksies of yore, eurovan is the first real "modern" engine and layout where things are shoehorned into place, so much less DIY friendly.

Eurovans are still neat, just heads up on these factors. Also yes the eurovan offers a westfalia package, but I believe it is winnabego and not actually from westfalia.

28k is about 10k too high unless it is a syncro or the special extended length version, check out classifieds at thesamba for market info.

I found a couple of others that are priced much higher.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1995-Volkswagen-EuroVan-c5925

Yes, that would be a Wnnebago built Eurovan.

Here is a good model breakdown:

https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=1

I have a ‘78 that runs great for what it is.

I can find you listings for 100k 911SCs too but...

Anyway, here you go: Eurovans from TheSamba

FWIW I have wrenched quite a bit on a 97 weekender (weekender = has the pop top to sleep up top and the fold down bed below but not the kitchen or cabinetry) and helped my friend buy it around 3 years ago for I believe $12k.

Here we are camping together a couple of years back:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1617941133.jpg

Thanks all!

What do you do if the tent needs repair/replacement?

Thanks Grant!

The canvas replacement is a DIY job with some patience. I did mine a few years ago..

While not camping, this was at a concert back when we still had them :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1617945346.jpg

I too prefer the water-cooled vanagons over the Eurovans. Vanagons are very easy to work on. Lukas, the founder of GoWesty has been a friend of mine for 35 years. I know all about his amazing talent as a mechanic with VWs and Porsches. He insists that vanagons were the most reliable, durable VWs ever made. I believe him. Mine has 240,000 miles on it, it just got its first engine rebuild, and it still drives like new. Slow, but new. Your SIL will love her Westy. Just tell her to replace the fuel lines!