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Thu Nov 27, 2003 5:53 pm

Alright, im a senior in high school and im lookin for a bus to fix up over the winter (in my parents garage) and take accross country when im outa school. Help me out a bit, what problems should i stay away from when buying a bus? Im lookin to spend around a $1000 to buy one initally then fix her up.

Anyone else ever taken a bus across the country? How was it?

Thu Nov 27, 2003 6:27 pm

Speaking from personal experience, buy a nice bus to start with. You will spend more buying a fixer-upper and getting it in great shape than you will buying one that has already been fixed up (you don't want to know how much I've got in my bus and there's no way I could sell it for that). Once you start pulling it apart, you will inevitably find more that you need (or want) to do. This causes delays while searching/waiting for parts, letting paint dry, etc. If a mechanic has to work on it, expect it to take longer and cost more than planned.

There is always the argument that by doing it yourself you gain experience and know what has been done, but a competent VW mechanic can go over the vehicle before you buy it and give you a really good idea what's up with the vehicle (I highly recomend this- not just having a buddy who's taking auto shop look at it). Just because a vehicle looks good doesn't mean the mechanicals aren't shot. Buy a Bentley manual ASAP after you buy the bus.

As to my choice for a road trip vehicle- well, I plan to do the same thing with mine and I chose a late Bay Westy, '78 to be exact. My reasons, in no particular order:
-it has the larger 2.0L fuel injected engine- Bosch FI systems are reliable and decent systems when they are in good shape and maintained
-'78 has hydraulic lifters
-late Bay Westys open in the front so you actually have a full size bed up top
-better interior layout; more functional space
-seat rails accept Vanagon seats; more comfortable and readily available
-disc brakes up front
-so called "Freeway Flyer" tranny; handles higher speeds better than earlier buses
-sage green goes with everything- NOT :lol: !
-I got it for $500 (Oh, and how it's still adding up :roll: )

Thu Nov 27, 2003 7:01 pm

I agree with the previous post. It will take longer and cost more than you had planned. I got my bus for $2500 what seemed like a good deal but I have spent that much on parts, tires and replacement stuff. I got me bus in July.

Spend a little more and get something that sombody has already given some attention to.

Just my opinion but Bay's are easier to find that split window's and are not as old so likely to be in better shape.

Good luck

Thu Nov 27, 2003 8:25 pm

thanks guys thatll help, let me know how you make out with your buses, feel free to send me an email or IM :D

Thu Nov 27, 2003 8:33 pm

I couldnt agree more with the other guys. I am a senior as well dude and I paid $575 for my bus with delivery from Georgia to South Florida! I bought the bus on Ebay and it was a 78 Transporter. I expected it to be in need of a lot more than it did. It was a really good deal. The floors were all solid, no major rust anywhere, just some patches and bubbles that could be fixed. The motor ran iffy with the FI so I put dual webers on it - $350. Next I had the brakes done and other misc parts and bugs worked out - $300. Next I need tires - $250-350. So you can see how it adds up. I have some leaks in my window seals, so now I am going to weld up the windows and make it a panel van. Being lucky that I have a friend who welds dune buggys I can do this very cheap. I will be putting a new front end on mine eventually as the one on there has a small amount of through hole rust and creates minor leakage on the floor. All these things are alot to consider when buying a bus. I have almost $1400 in my bus before its on the road so if you are to spend a bit more and get something with work done to it you will definitly be ahead of the game. See if you can get a loan from someone or somwhere and get a good stock engine camper seeing how you said that you are going to take it on road trips. Trust us, you wont find a Westy that in good shape and running well for under maybe $1800-2500. But you never know there are deals out there if you can find em. Best of luck becoming a bus owner, you will love it to death! Good luck buddy. Also man, search about new bus owners and you find post upon post about what to look for and buying tips because this question gets asked about one a week.

Kyle
--------------------------
78 Transporter

Fri Nov 28, 2003 12:32 pm

I would say get a bay window. Although I am bias to Bay's because that is all I have ever owned i've heard that Bay windows offer more creature comforts then splits. Also, you'll probably get a better bus for the money if you buy a bay. One, more thing. I'd look for a 68-71. You won't get the power of a later model bay, but if you are mechanically inclined working on an upright motor is much easier and less expensive then a pancake motor. If your going cross country, get a camper if possible. A Z bed beats the ground any day!
Good luck

-LDD

Fri Nov 28, 2003 3:15 pm

If I could remember everthing to add up it would look something like this.
Remember this is since July. I does get expensive. Thank God the parts
are generally inexpensive

Inital registration $260
tires: $375
new carburator, fuel line and hose clamps $197
new carburator, fuel cutoff solenoid $36
new clutch cable $18
fuel pump $30
wiper arms $75 (yeah I got burnt)
tailight assy $50
Muffler & hardware $65
exhaust nuts and bolts $40
back up light housing and lens $50
pop-top tie downs $30
handle for cargo door $15
seals for engine compartment $40
childs cot $63
Oil temp dipstick $26
valve cover gaskets $10
head inserts & tap rental $30

Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:07 pm

hey, townshend. I liked your screen name. You play music?

I pick the Bay window. The Splits are 'supposed' to be cool, but because the bays aren't ... they end up being.

Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:10 pm

forgot to mention... I have a '71 bay window that you can have FOR FREE. no engine or tranny ( no problem, right?... ) It's in Los Angeles though...

Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:42 pm

hey thanks everyone

-llamas, that list will help thanks :D

-bottomend, yeah i play the guitar, and the whos my favorite band, i got to see them twice, witout entwistle :(
anyway, thanks for the offer on the bus, but i dont think i could get it from california...i dont have a clue how much thatd cost to send to RI lol, i appricate it though

Fri Nov 28, 2003 8:53 pm

Bottomend - you selling any parts off that 71?

Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:11 pm

Yo, Pete! (mind if I call you that?) We gots to talk all things "WHO". I'll try to AIM you. Anything for a fan.

J dawg, I have a '71 that I was gonna fix up, then I found my orange '74 (Mr Magoo!) bay window. I was looking at it the other day and its resurectable but it would take some work. I cant keep it stored in it's present location much longer. where do you live and what do you need?

Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:23 pm

Looking for a lot of "little" things for my 71 Westy. Rear lenses, side markers, knobs, etc. Don't by any chance have a good dash pad do you? All the ones around here are cracked and split like mine - actually, the whole dash could stand to be replaced. BTW - upper Mojave Desert, about 90 mi north of Lancaster/Palmdale.

Sorry Steve - didn't mean to hijack your thread!

Sat Nov 29, 2003 11:14 am

its cool dont worry about it, thats what its for :D

-bottomend, ill keep an eye out for your im, ever seen the who yourself?

Sat Nov 29, 2003 1:45 pm

Seen em!?... I'VE MET 'EM!!!!!!!!!!

Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:46 am

bottomend, thats awesome! you gotta im me, we have to chat :D

Mon Dec 01, 2003 10:18 pm

dude, I've tried to AIM you a few times but we're not on at the same time. I'm on the left coast...heres my email- puppystew42cs.com
gimme a shout! curious about your guitar playing as well.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:11 am

llamas1 wrote:

Inital registration $260
tires: $375
new carburator, fuel line and hose clamps $197
new carburator, fuel cutoff solenoid $36
new clutch cable $18
fuel pump $30
wiper arms $75 (yeah I got burnt)
tailight assy $50
Muffler & hardware $65
exhaust nuts and bolts $40
back up light housing and lens $50
pop-top tie downs $30
handle for cargo door $15
seals for engine compartment $40
childs cot $63
Oil temp dipstick $26
valve cover gaskets $10
head inserts & tap rental $30

Damn I'm gonna invest in the place where you buy your parts!
My list looks more like this-

Inital registration $140.00
tires: $200 (mounted and balanced)
new carburator, fuel line and hose clamps $197 What kind of carb?
new carburator, fuel cutoff solenoid $36 ?
new clutch cable $10
fuel pump $20
wiper arms $20
tailight assy $20 pair (72 and later are even cheaper)
Muffler & hardware $65 That's about right
exhaust nuts and bolts $5
back up light housing and lens $10 Maybe!
pop-top tie downs $9.95 each
handle for cargo door $10
seals for engine compartment $25
childs cot $40
Oil temp dipstick $10
valve cover gaskets $1 each
head inserts & tap rental $30[/quote]