1973 vw camper?

[LiveFrom305]

So I just checked out a 1973 vw  campervan. The engine was just rebuilt and it had two owners. Drives pretty well and it has ac. I'm looking at something's like 5-7 grand to fix it. Owner is asking 7 k for it. What do you guys think about it? How do you feel about these old guys?

 

[wagoneer]

Do not overload these, worked on the ones I had easy to fix most things. Take your time on hills.

 

[djkeev]

5-7 grand to fix "it".
What is the "it"?

7 isn't a bad entry fee, but the yearly membership dues may be what gets you.

Evaluate your needs, your driving style and if you are able to adapt to a sudden change of plans.

Old VW's aren't for those in a hurry or light on cash. You ideally will need to be a mechanically minded person as well.

Look at my Avatar...... I know of that which I speak.

Dave

 

[cyndi]

Are you mechanically inclined and enjoy tinerking? Ifnot, look elsewhere

 

[djkeev]

My primary surfing home.....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=5

Buying guides, helpful people and a close "family", much like this site.

I've had Bay Windows, currently run an 86 Vanagon Westy......... Different beasts!

Dave

 

[Van-Tramp]

Unless you enjoy constant breakdowns and shoveling more of your hard earned cash into yet another part that always takes weeks to be shipped, a VW will not be your thing. Wouldn't matter if you put 100k into it, you would be making another high-dollar repair within 1000 miles, guaranteed.

They are cool, but no one (including 100% of all VW owners) would say they are anything but a massive money sink and constantly breaking down. They are all about the cool-factor ("look at me, I survived another day owning a VW without killing myself")

 

[ZoNiE]

If it is not a rust bucket, you could buy it and get a subaru engine conversion done. There are several shops that do this, including Competition Engineering in Phoenix.

 

[djkeev]

And......

My 86 VW delivers 14-16 mpg's on a consistent basis.
My engine is bigger than yours but pushing more weight.
Going across South Dakota headed West with a 30-40 mph headwind I got 12 mpg and could barely do 65 mph.

By contrast, I just purchased an 03 Dodge Ram Van, New Tires, 106,000 miles, runs strong, 5.2 engine (318), automatic, dual air, tilt wheel, factory cruise, ABS, air bags, heat enough to roast a Pig, and is EPA rated at 13/16 mpg.
It is bigger, more powerful and when I am done with it, it will be multiple times more comfortable for sleeping and will have a full bathroom in it!

I paid $2,500 for it.
I anticipate investing $2-3,000 more to turn it into a class B Camper.

In my VW loving opinion, my Dodge is a far better value.

But as mentioned above.......
ZERO "cool" factor driving an old Dodge Ram Van!

Dave

 

[steamjam1]

Air cooled VW vans.. Wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot poll, even if it was free. Not because they are terrible vans, but to spend 7K on a van that needs 5-7K worth of work just to get started only to have a van that breaks down every other day, catches fire and every other part is special order? No way.

 

[DannyB1954]

You will probably find many with a rebuilt engine. People get fed up with break downs and put another engine in it and sell it before it can break down again.

If you get it only drive it downhill on cool days. I would only consider going uphill in the middle of winter.

 

[frater secessus]

I love VW vans (I had an ex-Bundeswehr '73) but wouldn't want to tramp in it. My favorite car was a 72 standard beetle that I finally sold because I couldn't keep it running or find a decent mechanic. :-( I still miss it.

 

[djkeev]

Air cooled VW vans.. Wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot poll, even if it was free. Not because they are terrible vans, but to spend 7K on a van that needs 5-7K worth of work just to get started only to have a van that breaks down every other day, catches fire and every other part is special order? No way.

You exaggerate just a Tad ^^^^^...... 

But yes, they have emotions, cannot be spoken to harshly and if you Use VanCafe, parts arrive very quickly! 

My 86 has performed very well! ...... Though it admittedly pumps water........

Two trips West and nary an annoying breakdown in 18,000 miles. 
Days and days and days of trouble free motoring! 

Dave

 

[GotSmart]

But as mentioned above.......
ZERO "cool" factor driving an old Dodge Ram Van!

Dave

HEY!   :dodgy:

Now you are spoiling for a rumble!   :-/

I get a lot of thumbs up with my Ram Van!  

(My kids hate it, so it MUST be cool!)

 

[djkeev]

Having driven classic VW Westy's for years and knowing first hand the "cool factor" they possess...... A Dodge Ram Van is a giant boring YAWN.......

Dave

 

[GotSmart]

Having driven classic VW Westy's for years and knowing first hand the "cool factor" they possess...... A Dodge Ram Van is a giant boring YAWN.......

Dave

I guess a non rusted and running VW can be thought of as cool.  

I just have not seen one in a long time.  

To each there own.  I grew up with muscle cars and trucks.  A vw van could not handle the mountain roads, so nobody bought them.

I once drove one for my brother from Omaha to Colorado Springs in January. The bus was downright COLD!

 

[Mattkcc]

I can see having one as a hobby if you like fixing things. I would just use it locally for weekend outings. I haven't owned one but a friend had one when we wanted to take it somewhere we had to take enough teenagers to push start it. I did have a 74 Super Beetle with rack and pinion steering. When the weather was nice it was great, in the winter I had to scrape frost off the inside windshield as I drove. Had to sale it when I started commuting to college to many breakdowns on 60 mile round trip everyday.

 

[TrainChaser]

$7,000 for a FORTY-YEAR-OLD VAN??? Do they even make parts for them? It's an antique.

 

[djkeev]

I have a soft spot for these things, I had two way back when. First was a '64 and later a '62 that I took a 3 month/5K mile adventure in. That said, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is safety. Sit in the drivers seat and imagine you are about to have a major collision. Very little protection.

Guy

And THAT is why I have a Vanagon now! ^^^^ They fare quite well in head on impacts. 

The 03 Dodge Ram Van with AirBags? ......... Much better!


Dave

 

[ccbreder]

This is not a Westy, with easy to convert engines, so no Ford's or Subaru's for this one. It is a type 2. The 4 cylinder opposed engine was easy to repair in it's day. Parts are now very costly as these vans are antique collectables. I took one across Canada down into San Diego and back across to Ohio. It did the Rocky's in low gear. That was an old one in 1976.

 

[LiveFrom305]

well thanks for all the advice peeps. i guess i did get caught up in the "cool" factor of the whole thing. I plan on traveling for about a year so reliability is a huge factor. i though i uploaded a few pics but i guess it didn't work. at this point it seems like a terrible decision but its just so damn cool. time to think with my brain and not my heart lol. i don't wanna get into a love hate relationship.