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Wed Nov 13, 2002 1:08 pm

I was looking at cars because I am going to get my licsence soon. I really have fallen for the vw buses and in particular the deluxes and early westfalias. Do you think that maybe a bus would be a bad first car. I would be willing to work extremely hard on it, but my mom doesn't think it would do well for a first car.

Wed Nov 13, 2002 1:42 pm

they're all projects and you should be mechanically inclined to own one, so you don't go broke paying to have it fixed. basically every one needs a complete brake job to be safe right off the bat, as well as a ton of misc repairs, but why not, they're easy to drive, cheap on gas, and they'll teach you a lot mechanically. also, you need to understand that they don't take corners like a car, you have to slightly overshoot the corner, or you'll wipe out the side of the bus on whatever you're turning around.

Wed Nov 13, 2002 2:18 pm

I say go for it. Deluxes and Campers have a tendency to increase in value more than other Buses.

Just take someone with you who knows about VWs (or how to buy a used car in general), because there are a lot of dishonest people out there. Or ask questions on this site about Buses you find. Also, make sure you have a lot of metric tools! And don't worry too much about not knowing anything, there are lots of manuals and people who are willing to help. You learn a lot as you go...

>:) Derek

Wed Nov 13, 2002 3:21 pm

This is a great place to come for some seriously unbiased opinions about busses!
I regard my bus addiction as a hobby, but my wife tends to regard it as an illness. In either case it can be expensive and does require a lot of time--a LOT of time if you're young and without much money to spend on your first vehicle.
On the other hand, your "new" bus will probably keep you at home and in the garage or driveway a lot more than you'd be otherwise, so your mom should like that...
Good luck!
Billy

Wed Nov 13, 2002 4:52 pm

Go for it! Many of us have owned VWs as their first (and second and third!) vehicles and although the older ones will require a different type of maintenance (and more maintenance) than say, an '89 Accord, the beauty is that you can do a lot of the work yourself even if you're inexperienced with auto repair. Just get a copy of the Idiots Guide to VW Repair to get your feet wet and then progress thru the many VW manuals available. And when you get in trouble, you've got a whole community out here happy to help.

Wed Nov 13, 2002 5:21 pm

I say get it. Just be prepared like they said. I wanted a 21 window all my life and after years and years I was finally able to convince my parents to get me one. Now I have it (im 21) and I have never had such a fun toy in all my life. Now my parents want it back because it gets so much attention...I don't think there is a better first car than a VW. It's a good way to get broken in to learn about cars...

Wed Nov 13, 2002 7:49 pm

Go for it, my first car was a Beetle(as was my 3rd), my second car was a Bus(as was my 4th and 5th). If your not prepared for the addiction, then i don't know that I would recommend it, but it sounds like your ready to take on the world in your new bus.

Andrew
'58 Panel Bus
'60 European Beetle
'67 Deluxe Bus

Wed Nov 13, 2002 8:08 pm

make sure you have a set of QUALITY tools and keep them in the bus 24/7/365. You WILL break down. I'm not trying to convince you to get a honda, just realize that busses are at least 23 years old and being such, they tend to need maintance. If you want a reliable daily driver, my advise is to get a beater honda, tear the bus apart and completely restore the mechanicals. When you get it done, sell the honda, and have fun in your bus. Its really hard to keep it running if you dont do things right the first time. Things just keep happening, little stuff, nothing major, but be prepared to spend your free time working on it. I love my busses to death and could never be without at least one vw. I also have gotten the art of pulling my engine out in 15 min (10 if the bumpers off to begin with) and gotten good at roadside repairs. Just remember, tools, blanket, warm coat, canned food, (can opener) and a cell phone. Hope you have a happy and productive vw experiance.
Later
Mike Hanson
'57 panel
'79 westy
'95 jetta (heaaat!!!!!)

Thu Nov 14, 2002 10:08 pm

I highly reccomend a bus as a first car. my first car was a bus, I wouldn't have it any other way. I had a lot of fun it, went on to live in it later. I started with a $300 beater. don't recomed this unless you have mechanicly inclined family/friends that already have some of the tools near by. You do need to be willing to get dirty. you'll need a tool kit and the idiot guide your self to. pawn shops and yard sales are a great place to buy tools. remember a 10 cent broken, rusty craftsman hand tool is just as good as a new one. ebay is my favorite place to buy power tools.

Fri Nov 15, 2002 5:19 pm

My first vehicle was a 1960 westfalia camper. You will always love your first car, as long as its a VW, and there is no better VW than a type 2. As you can see from this site, you can pay a little, a lot, or beyond reality. Start with something that runs well. Fix it up from there. Just do us all a favor and don't modify or change it so much that you or the next owner can't restore it to near orriginal condition; have respect for the Type 2