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Sat May 31, 2003 6:40 pm

I would like to here your opinions on this subject. Witch one do you prefer and why?

Thanks
Chris B

Sat May 31, 2003 8:35 pm

WELLLLLLLLLLLL since you asked: a split bus is the way to go, slow,simple, e-z to fix, just not that many around anymore, if your not in a hurry, have some mechanical know how, they are the best.
A bubble window is a little faster, a few more modern comforts, more around/available, but not as cool as a splitty!
The Vanagon is my camper at this time , it goes faster, has good heat, more space, lots are still available, some from orig. owners, just as exspensive as a real nice splitty, but not nearly as cool.
We took ours to Colorado the last 2 years, 8000 miles each trip, no big problems at all.
Tom in Vt.

Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:28 pm

The "Goes Faster" part that Tom mentioned doesn't necessarily apply to aircooled Vanagons (80-83) when you're comparing to buses. They have the same 2.0l motor the late bay buses have, but a lot more weight to haul around.

The only thing slower is a <gulp> diesel Vanagon.

Sun Jun 01, 2003 9:29 pm

Guess it depends what 'look' you want and which features. Vanagon is a little safer when it comes to head-ons, if that sort of thing is important to you. Personally I don't like the looks of the Vanagon and the Split is too archaic for me, so I drive a Bay. But it really comes down to personal choice, doesn't it? And the types of vehicles you can find.

Tue Jun 03, 2003 5:23 am

Chabanais's last 2 lines said it all, personal choice AND the types of vehicles
you can find. In the northeast an "old bus" is a early vanagon,the Bay windows are usally rotted out or Bondo city, any split buses go for big bucks, I've seen
2 splittys in the papers in N.H./ Vt. area in the past 15 years, I bought one of them.......
We had a 71 non-pop Westy for 14 years, great way to travel & camp, not to fast on the highways, but a nice ride.
The west coasters have got it made as far as choice and availability, but I would'nt trade where I live for a dozen splittys.
Go with what will work for you the best, can you fix what you drive? Do you have the ca$h-ola to afford a 30-40 year old rig ??
Good luck on your hunt. Tom

Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:08 pm

I really like the early bay windows here's why

1. Cheap, depending on how man dings/dents/rust you can live with you can pick one up for a few hundred dollars running and put a little work into it, or buy a pretty decent daily driver for 1500-2000. (always remember that body work and paint are cost prohibitive, in other words, you are almost always better off buying a nice bus to begin with, than fixing one up, unless you really want to spend money, and aren't that concerned with getting back).

2. If you stay with a 71 or 72 you will have disc brakes up front which makes actually stopping the bus sooo much easier.
3. The 1600 upright engines are fairly easy to work on, and again, relatively inexpensive. (I stay away from the later model "pancake" engines with Fuel injection, as well as engines with dual carbs).
4. Because they are not as "desirable" as the early splitties they tend not be stolen as often.
5. Much less problems than the Water-Leaker (vanagon) engines, my friend has spent more on her radiator this year than I have my engine.

Those are my 2 cents, but I agree it's also about style and what you want. I'm trying to look at things in more of what makes sense economically now, and volkswagens are starting to not be the deal they once were.

Wed Jun 04, 2003 11:26 pm

If you want real value in an old VW get a 412. Nobody likes them, you can find them for cheap, they are big, fast, and pretty safe, and repair costs aren't too bad. If I could, I'd get a 412 wagon.