Wondering about Westfalia

[chelseagle]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I am wondering if anyone knows anything about the reliability of the 1980s models Wesfalia camper vans. I see a lot of them advertised on Craigslist. Is that good, bad,&nbsp;or just a coincidence? </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.</p>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I've heard bad things about the VW Synchro 4WD vans. Parts availability could be problematic, as well as price. Not so bad in big cities 'n such, but if you break down in S. Armpit USA there could be a problem. Also, if you get into a head-on collision, you might quite literally be able to kiss your a$$ goodbye. ..Willy.&nbsp; <br>

 

[Guest]

Money, big time.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Air cooled ones have terrible motors. They are too overstressed and run hot.</div><div><br></div><div>The liquid cooled ones have issues with head gaskets. The diesel ones are expensive and hard to find parts for.</div><div><br></div><div>But, they are good vehicles. Decent mileage, good room inside. There is a reason there were so many made, and are still around.</div>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I personally liked the air-cooled engines and have rebuilt a few of them. Easy to work on and light. Took me about 15 minutes to pop one outta the van and start working on it. Always carried 1/2 an engine with me, though not the case. The secret to getting the old type II's reliable was to rebuild with a counter-weighted racing crank (about $125 at the time).. ran smooooooth.&nbsp; <br>

 

[chelseagle]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks. That's a good point about the parts. That could be a major problem. I really want something reliable from the start. I think I will try looking at something in a later model.</p>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Personally, I'd just get a Ford/Dodge/Chev van and avoid all that headache. One with a straight 6 and a 4 spd auto/5 spd standard would give you good fuel economy and cheap + readily available parts. ..Willy.<br>

 

[Ryan24]

My humble opinion is that the Westfalia models see a price bump due to the VW name and its connection to the van lifestyle.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I scanned through some ads on "All of Craigs" (a great site btw), and it seems to get a Westfalia in worker order the price may average around $11K. While the Chevy and Dodge models of comparable age and wear were going for around $5k-$6k.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Not only will dealers have the parts on hand for the American makes, you would be able to put money away in&nbsp;preparation&nbsp;for a breakdown AND still have some to spare.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I used to pick up VW vans for $100-200 a piece, fix em up and sell 'em for a couple of grand. Lived in a few of them for a few years too. ..Willy.<br>

 

[becida]

Hello, I'm new here &amp; I'm a VW guy. Been a VW guy for a lot of years &amp; currently drive a 1984, a full Westfalia powered by a '94 Subaru&nbsp; 2.2 engine.<br><br>They can be spendy, but not outrageously so and the newest Vanagon based westy was a '91. That was 21 years ago.<br>There are more shops around that work on Ford,Chevy &amp; Dodge than there are that work on Vanagons. If you are interested www.thesamba.com is the place and there is a good e-mail list, you can find the details at www.vanagon.com<br><br>FWIW the Vanagon passengers do well in crashes, the VW engineers did a good job. People who have been in wrecks have talked about it and folks who pick parts talk about about it.<br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I never had anything newer than a 1972 VW van and, well, there ain't much in front of ya. Also, because I'm over 6'1", I found that the top of the door would make for a pretty nifty lobotomy where I to get creamed on the drivers side. Still liked driving it though and it was great for freaking out passengers when pulling in to park. ..Willy. <br>

 

[sl1966]

You can totally live in one. Here's a blog about someone who used to live one, although I think she stopped about a year ago.<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.faliaphotography.com/" target="_blank">http://www.faliaphotography.com/</a> </div><div><br></div>

 

[VeteranBrad]

I want to buy a used Vanagon to travel and live in. Age 67 on social security of $1700. Is that enough money to make it monthly? I plan to work as I travel. Ideas or comments, please. Thanks.

 

[VeteranBrad]

I was wondering if you have a page for meeting other people. I am ex-attorney, real estate broker, charity worker, &nbsp;3 grown kids, etc, and a free spirit obviously. Wouldn't mind meeting a nice woman to travel with all over the U.S. No Mexico and open to Canada. Ideas?

 

[becida]

Hello VeteranBrad,<br />It's doable on what you have, a place to check out is the vandwellers list&nbsp; http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VanDwellers/&nbsp; .

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome Brad!&nbsp; You should introduce yourself here - <a href="/?forum=183272">https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=183272</a> so that everyone else can give you a welcome too.<br /><br />&nbsp; $1,700 a month is enough for a van dwelling lifestyle. The best way to economize is to find free campsites and travel as much as your income allows.<br /><br />&nbsp;There's a section for meeting people but it's not very active yet - <a href="/?forum=263531">https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=263531</a>

 

[caseyc]

Before I bought my Ford conversion van, I too was intrigued by the VW Westfalia. &nbsp;I read many articles and reviews online about the Westfalia. &nbsp;The more I read, the more I got discouraged. &nbsp;Bottom line, based on the stuff I read, I would have to pay at least $25k+ for a 1987 or later model for a very good condition Westfalia that has been fully refurbished, including rebuilt engine, etc. &nbsp;Otherwise, I'd risk having things break down. &nbsp;I didn't want to spend that much for a Westfalia, and figured I could get something more cost-effective for less. &nbsp;Anyway, that was my own subjective opinion based on my online research and doing Craigslist searches. &nbsp;I still do sometimes find myself having "Westfalia envy" whenever I see a really nice tricked out model driving down the road, haha!<br /><br />

 

[Ballenxj]

I generally like the idea of a Vanagon. Never owned one, but have put some serious thought into it. <br />OTOH, I asked a mechanic that I've used before, and he said forget it, they're junk. <br />As an aside, here's a video about one that has been upgraded by Bostig.&nbsp;<br />I think you guys will like this one. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" /> <br />[video] <br />-Bruce

 

[Simran]

That DOES exude awesomeness to the Nth degree!!!!!

 

[minimotos95]

every time i see a&nbsp;vanagon i just can't get the idea of an STI or SVX swap out of my head. reliable and you can go the speed limit uphill. i love the layout they use inside and i'm jealous of the front seats and walkthough.

 

[Ballenxj]

Glad you guys liked it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" /> The vanagon in the video I posted above has what they called a "World Engine." <br />Basically a 2.3 liter Ford engine with various options available. This particular one is supercharged. <br />They say you can get parts for this engine anywhere in the World, <br />I have always been a Hot Rodder at Heart. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" /> <br />Now I have driven cars that are known to be notoriously slow, and have also noted that people tend to be rude to drivers of those types of cars. Did I mention I also like sleepers? This is the ultimate Vanagon revenge.<br />Since this is the living and traveling in a van forum, I had a feeling you guys might appreciate this sleeper. I know I did. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" /> <br />-Bruce