Vanagon people!

[BeeMaster]

Originally Posted by island911

Vanagon (syncro) owner here for 20+ years.

Engine swaps: it's a BARN on wheels! Do you people really think that even doubling the HP is going to give you some sort of 911-like performance. Again - it is a BARN on wheels.

IMO, the stock motor is the way to go. Torquey, light and tough, and does not hang down to the ground and does not protrude up through the engine cover - like so many Diesel conversion$.

And I know that in my giving Denis advice, that he will do the opposite.

If somebody did a tdi conversion that protruded up through the engine cover they are a
Hack! If layed over like the factory 1.6d the engine doesn't protruded or hang down to far. My dad's has as much ground clearance as his baja. As far as money yes seeing how the op has a automatic the cost of a conversion to a diesel just skyrocketed. I
Would never put a TDI with that automatic. So you are correct staying stock is probably the op best option.and yes they are refrigerators on wheels but the diesels get good mpg 32-34 and are more reliable than gas. Just watch the timing belt it is their weak link. Your either a diesel lover or your not. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

[Jim Richards]

The good mpg is a plus. And as I said before, put a diesel in and you're emissions exempt in CA.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I am so sorry to hear that...I was looking forward to the pics!

I had the exact opposite experience yesterday: 1972 2002Tii in Tempe, looked great in the ad and the price was reasonable.

Sidney went and looked at it for me, liked it, as advertised. I called Mike, the owner early the next morning.

He told me that the car sold last night. Guy in Oregon who's BIL lives in Tempe and looked at it after Sid. He said he's had at least five offers for more money but I was second since he would only sell to people who looked at the car, or had a proxy.

He also said if the guy backs out, the price is the same.

So, it is not all bad out there

It's cool that he's a good guy but I don't think anyone's backing out.

BaT Success Story: 18 Hours to Retrieve His 2002tii

[BeeMaster]

Sorry to hear that your deal fell through, that can really put a damper on your day/week.

[nostatic]

The prices on the ones at GoWesty are insane. Do people really pay $80K for a syncro? I remember a few years ago I thought they were pricey at $20-40K.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by nostatic

The prices on the ones at GoWesty are insane. Do people really pay $80K for a syncro? I remember a few years ago I thought they were pricey at $20-40K.

People do pay the $$$ at Gowesty. I've known the owner for over 20 years. He used to be a business partner in my brother-ion-law's former Porsche resto business. He is the best mechanic I ever met. His upgraded Vanagons are far better than factory. Still, you need to be rich enough to not care about the prices, which I'm not.

[ckissick]

This one looks pretty nice. Not too far away.

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 1987 VW Vanagon WolfsBurg Edition

[island911]

Prices might be insane, but at least so too is the handling of a top-heavy soft suspension syncro.

Seriously, the Syncro is a great machine, but I would not want a Westy version without some sort of big (decoupling) anti-swaybar. Also, garage height clearance is an issue. I place my radio antenna just a couple inches higher than the roof, as a feeler. It often scrapes the beams/pipes of parking structures. I do wish my syncro had a similar adjustable air-spring suspension as my Cayenne.

[Shifter]

Do you have a trailer? And some time?

volkswagon van

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ckissick

This one looks pretty nice. Not too far away.

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 1987 VW Vanagon WolfsBurg Edition

Not a Wolfsburg. Someone put a badge on a regular passenger van. Wolfsburgs have the fold-down rear seat/bed and coffee table from the Westy but with out full camping equipment and pop-top.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Shifter

Do you have a trailer? And some time?

volkswagon van

I'd consider this one just for the heck of it if I could get it shipped down here cheaply. I don't have time to pick one up in Orange county right now, much less Oregon. Thanks, though!

[island911]

Originally Posted by speeder

Not a Wolfsburg. Someone put a badge on a regular passenger van. Wolfsburgs have the fold-down rear seat/bed and coffee table from the Westy but with out full camping equipment and pop-top.

You are confusing "Wolfsburg" and "Weekender" ...and in 1984 the Wolfsburg edition did not have the table and back-facing seat ( I know - I owned one)

I expect that there are Wolfsburg Weekenders.

edit : Wolfsburg Weekender: What Does That Mean? - Library Article - GoWesty Camper Products - parts supplier for VW Vanagon, Eurovan, and Bus

[speeder]

Right, the one in that ad might be a Wolfsburg but not an '87. I worked briefly at a VW dealer around '87 or '88 and remember them well. One of my all-time favorite rigs with the weekender layout.

The one in the ad looks like an '84 with the chrome bumpers, etc. The '87 would have the later treatment.

[speeder]

[Geary]

Love my '90 Syncro Westy w/ 3.3 engine and Propex heater .. everything I need in a winter storm chaser ..

[RWebb]

I have to ask why you want a Wolfsburg? Or any tintop for that matter?

To me it is the small, compact camperized versions that are worth owning - since there is nothing out there like that to buy new.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I have to ask why you want a Wolfsburg? Or any tintop for that matter?

To me it is the small, compact camperized versions that are worth owning - since there is nothing out there like that to buy new.

I don't need to stand up in it, don't need full kitchen, don't need or want the extra height or weight. Still, the campers are cool.

[speeder]

Gears, that's a super-cool picture.

What 3.3 engine does it have?

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by speeder

I don't need to stand up in it, don't need full kitchen, don't need or want the extra height or weight. Still, the campers are cool.

Honda mini-van is much nicer, more reliable, more modern...

[BeyGon]

I had this one, the blue one then the white one, with the Subi, best choice I made was pulling that old thing out and putting in the Subi. Plus the bumpers and 15" wheels, lots of other upgrades to make it drivable.