TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:32 pm

Hello,

I’m new to the forums and wonder if you folks could offer me some advice. I’m planning a trip from Los Angeles to Costa Rica and then back to the U.S. The trip would last at least six months, maybe longer.

Here is my question: Which would be better for such a trip: an air cooled Westie or a water boxer Westie?

I’ve had experience with both, but I am no expert. In 1979 I bought a 79 Westie and drove about 15,000 miles around the U.S. No problems. In 2001 we went to Germany and bought a well-kept 89 Westie and drove all over Europe, living in the Westie, for almost a year. No problems.

So far I haven’t been able to determine parts availability, and mechanical expertise, for either air-cooled or water boxers in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua or Costa Rica. My mechanical abilities are VERY limited.

I would get everything done that I could determine needed to be done before leaving. But still, things break down and I would want to be able to get the car worked on locally if need be.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Scrivner

Thu Nov 22, 2007 4:24 pm

Buy as new of a westie as you can afford. A Erovan/westie would be best for that trip IMO

Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:11 pm

Scrivner,

My wife and I are planning the same trip! We are here in Los Angeles, and we got a 1977 westy. We also dont have much mechanical ability. The last time we were in Mexico we saw both air cooled and what I think are water cooled VW transporter buses. I know they are still manufactured in Brazil. However, I'm not sure how parts have evolved...

We hope to make it to Costa Rica or Panama, and then ship the bus via container to Ecuador and continue on through South America until we get to Brazil. I'll watch this thread with you. Since you've gone "fulltime" before, I'd love to get some camping tips from you as well. I'm also researching campgrounds and places to park the bus while on the trip.

All best,
Nick

Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:21 am

I know it's been awhile since posted
Admire anibody taking very long trips in Buses and Vanagons
I am also in Los Angeles and dream about trip like you are planning
Will have to wait before it happens, too many obligations now
I am Vanagon mechanic and intimately know it.
It is great vehicle but you need lots of luck to find good one mechanicaly
Many look good outside and inside but mechanicaly worn out and in need of lots of work($$$$).
wander if you found what you looking for
interested in hearing comments about the trip
Leon
Torrance

Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:29 pm

Hello there,
we are the proud new owners of a '78 Westy and are planning to take it from where we currently live Ontario, Canada to our home in Uruguay, South America in about 5 or 6 months' time (with our two kids!). We are very interested in following this thread! We are trying to decide whether to ship in a container (Panama-Colombia), or try to do the RORO thing from Costa Rica to Ecuador....
cheers,
Allison and Gustavo