what is the cheapest you think I could find a restored vw van/bus for? i have looked on so many sites and the ones that are fully restored are usually around 20,000. does anyone know what the cheapest one I could get would be and where to get it from?
As someone who's family vehicle was a VW (granted it was a Beetle) I'd strongly advise against it. They break down alot (especially older ones) and are hard and expensive to get parts for. That is why fully restored ones are usually around 20 grand. Everyone I've known who have owned "Classic" VW's have all had the same problems. In the few years that my family owned the one that we had it went through 2 motors and 3 transmissions. The good news is that if you are mechanically inclined that they are easy to fix yourself. The bad news is that you still have to try and find parts. Stay Brown, Rev J
So if I do decide to invest in one, I should get one of the more expensive ones that are fully restored with a new engine? I have always wanted one so one way or another I will get it!
Even if you do there is still a very strong chance it will leave you stranded. Also I'd avoid any type of "Hippifying" it. Nothing like being in redneck country with an unreliable dinosaur that is tough (and expensive) to get parts for covered with legalize it stickers. You know who else love VW Vans? The cops. Just sayin'. I think there is alot of over romanticization of the VW Van. Or just VW's in general. Stay Brown, Rev J
If you gotta have a VW, get a new beetle. Still funky, still hippie-ish, but more reliable and easier to get parts for.
Every VW I've had has let me down in the most unreasonable of places. However they are cool and have loads of character, you kinda get attached to their personality. If you plan on doing some serious travelling in it I would suggest something a bit more unbreakable and predictable. My current Mercedes Truck just keeps going, oh and yeah the previous comment is right, the cops love to pull VW's over for spot checks and ganja hunts!
What do you need a van to do? Simple transport, road camping, road living, band touring? I also suggest something other than VW, and I do have a soft spot for them. I lived in a Chevy step van for a year and a bit, and we always had a van for road camping/ vending/ touring. Minivans serve very well. You can sleep in them, park easily, get repaired easily. Old VWs never die, people just stop fixing them.
I just love vintage cars. VW Vans, 1955 Chevy Truck, Thunderbird etc etc I definitely want it for simple transport...to go to the beach...short road trips...camping etc
I have had two VW vans. One split windshield transporter and a camper van. They are expensive to fix and break down a lot. But I still want another van. Just for cruizing around not for road trippin. Get something dependable for cross country touring. I've heard VW have new vans. Westphalia/Dodge Caravans but I've not seen any. I plan getting a truck camper and hitting the Further shows in July. If I cant find a reasonably priced camper then I'll get a cap to camp in the back of the truck.
I have a 72 VW Camper Van. This is my 3rd van and they are notoriously unreliable. I don't care if you buy a fully restored one. Chances are they are gonna leave you stranded sometime down the road..probably sooner than later. They weren't reliable when they were new off the showroom floor. Either way you look it it, expect to spend quite a bit of money. Not everyone knows how to work on VW's either. It is getting hard to find a good old school VW mechanic these days. I have cussed mine more times than I can count. Broke down plenty. And you better know how to change and set points because you can burn a set of points up in no time flat. BUT, I would not part with my van despite the fact that she is a huge pain in the ass. She has character and no matter where I go, I always have people comment on her. I drive her year round despite the fact that I have no a/c or heater. It is definitely a love/hate relationship, lol. I think I have a pic of ole Rosie in my photo album if you wanna check her out.
