TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:39 pm

Hi,

I am biting the bullet. I want a westfalia for windsurfing and I am not an enthusiast/tinkerer. However, I do have a job that provides me some money. Hence I want to buy a westfalia and allocate a few thousand dollars a year for repair knowing that it is inevitable.

Soooo... my plan is to buy a westfalia that has a nice interior and have a mechanic who can tend to it for me.

Any thouhgts on who would be a good mechanic?

Thanks in advance

Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:41 pm

I have heard lots of good things about Buslab in berkley. I know it isn't the city, but it isn't too far either. Good luck.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:37 pm

Fred's Garage in Redwood City.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:50 pm

another windsurfer with a westy, welcome to the club!

are you looking for a shop or a mechanic? In the city you can also try City Automotive on Eddy Street, talk to Rolph 415 776 9710

see you in the water!

Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:50 pm

Rolf at City Automotive
in the heart of the Tenderloin.

Will only work on WBXers and VW diesels.. no Subarus, or other swaps.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:14 pm

I second Freds Garage in Redwood City (about 30 miles South on 101) but if your speaking of San Francisco only, your in luck and in real good hands at City Automotive on Eddy Street in San Francisco.

Just like John and Tom at Freds...Rolf is extremely knowledgable and is about as honest as the day is long.

City Automotive #415-776-9710 466 Eddy Street in San Francisco
Freds Garage in Redwood City California 416"D" Street 650-368-5343.

Freds Garage has been repairing VW's since 1959 and Rolf has been at it for about the same legnth of time.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:49 pm

My humble, biased opinion:

If your primary use is transporting windsurf gear then you might want to consider a carat or 7-passenger van (without the poptop). The carat comes with seating around a central pop-up table. Or you can look for a multivan (poptop but no kitchen inside). Any of these options gives you more room for windsurfing gear and passengers.

I know most people think the Westfalia gear is the coolest thing about the vanagon, but I think the design of the standard van is great even without the extra westy stuff. It's rare that I wish for a full kitchen and cabinets cluttering my seven passenger vanagon. I often fill the van with gear--surfboards, snowboards, camping gear, passengers--and still have room to draw the curtains and sleep in the back. If you go with the regular "hardtop" van you'll have more room inside, more money leftover for upgrades (bigger rims, better tires, upgraded engine, new fuel lines). And the lighter van accelerates better, too.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:34 am

And another humble, yet biased opinion..

If you don't like to tinker and if you plan on having your van maintained "professionally", then budget at least $3-5000 for the first yr or so to work out all the 20yr-old vehicle kinks.. And you can spend more if you want!

I am NOT talking about fancy wheels, or brake upogrades or new headlights.. I am talking about exhaust/emissions. Heads. Regular brake service/rebuild, CV, shocks, maybe tires.. It adds up.

If your prospective WBXer has 150k miles on it and its original, then budget another $5-10k for an engine rebuild or swap in the future.

If your prospective Vanagon has a Subaru swap in it.. Be SURE to take it Buslab for a once over!..
While most of these swaps have been done pretty well.. there are also many hack jobs done.. and inheriting a mess like that could mean a REAL unpleasant first time ownership experience.

Soo. Depending on the depth of your wallet.. The real cost in owning one of these vans is not the upfront $8-10k for a moderately well maintained newer Westy or $3-5k for a similarly well maintained hardtop..
The REAL cost is going to be time and money in getting to know the van and making it comfortable/reliable as your daily driver.

LOTS of Westys and Hardtops in the SF area.. There's a dozen or more just in the coulpe dozen blocks around my place.
And you are welcome to come by and check mine out of you want a tour of things to look for in buying a new-to-you van..
But a warning is in order!
The last guy who visited, caught the sickness and plunked down a big chunk o' change on his new-to-him Westy.
(I must admit his mind was already made up.. as much as I tried to scare him.. He just wouldn't hear it.. :lol: )

PM me if you're interested in a visit.
I'm in the Outer Sunset and have been haunting the beaches here in Norcal for many many yrs.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:17 am

My vote is for Paul at valley wagen werks in San Rafael. Great shop and a stand up guy.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:15 am

j_dirge wrote:
And you are welcome to come by and check mine out of you want a tour of things to look for in buying a new-to-you van..
But a warning is in order!
The last guy who visited, caught the sickness and plunked down a big chunk o' change on his new-to-him Westy.
(I must admit his mind was already made up.. as much as I tried to scare him.. He just wouldn't hear it.. :lol: )

I think that was me! :) Indeed, my mind was already made up.

Big chunk of change, two months and 2000 miles ago, and absolutely no regrets. Can't wait for the next time I get to take that silly camper out in the road.

I also will eventually need a mechanic. The guys at the Buslab in Berkeley seemed really nice, although I haven't used them for anything other than replacing my driver side vent window, vandalized in the street in SF.

Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:54 am

Opening this again.. have all the magical old VW mechanics in SF closed leaving the bus lab as the sole proprietor of Vanagon service in the near SF area? Does anyone have any info on current VW mechanics that will diagnose/ work on a Vanagon / syncro for an honest price? I just have a few raddles, chirps and creeks that need investigation (aside from all the regular and lovely creeks, rattles and boings expected from an old vanagon?

Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:20 pm

rctucker wrote: Opening this again.. have all the magical old VW mechanics in SF closed leaving the bus lab as the sole proprietor of Vanagon service in the near SF area? Does anyone have any info on current VW mechanics that will diagnose/ work on a Vanagon / syncro for an honest price? I just have a few raddles, chirps and creeks that need investigation (aside from all the regular and lovely creeks, rattles and boings expected from an old vanagon?

I have had Nate over at 523 Rods in Richmond do work for me, and he has been both honest and competent. They just did a big move, and may still be pretty backed up, but worth a shot.

Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:23 pm

Valley Wagen Works in San Rafael

Two hours away, Stephan’s Auto Haus in Sacramento.

Roger at Sartorial in Santa Rosa.

Isn’t there still someone on the peninsula?

Wed Jun 12, 2019 1:02 pm

Peninsula Automotive in Campbell.

vegpedlr wrote: Valley Wagen Works in San Rafael

Two hours away, Stephan’s Auto Haus in Sacramento.

Roger at Sartorial in Santa Rosa.

Isn’t there still someone on the peninsula?

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:20 pm

hughman wrote: Hi,

I am biting the bullet. I want a westfalia for windsurfing and I am not an enthusiast/tinkerer. However, I do have a job that provides me some money. Hence I want to buy a westfalia and allocate a few thousand dollars a year for repair knowing that it is inevitable.

Soooo... my plan is to buy a westfalia that has a nice interior and have a mechanic who can tend to it for me.

Any thouhgts on who would be a good mechanic?

Thanks in advance

Im just dying to retire and open a VW shop in the "Tarred over Sprawl" called the "Bay Area" and name it...

The Bears

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:32 pm

These guys both have their (rather venomous) detractors, but I've found them both very helpful:

Tassi Inc in Colma : https://www.tassiinc.com/

Lavere's in Concord : http://vwandaudionly.com/

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:35 pm

I try not to be a Debbie Downer on this, but since its a 2010 thread revival..

Look how many shops with Vanagon expertise have closed.

In 5 years, if you can't mechanic yourself, no amount of money will help.

Thats one fat stupid guys' opinion

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:37 pm

fxr wrote: These guys both have their (rather venomous) detractors, but I've found them both very helpful:

Tassi Inc in Colma : https://www.tassiinc.com/

I don't know anything about the other place.. but I have tried to give Tassi money for something so many times, I have lost count.
They can't be bothered to return a call.

Maybe if you go see them in person?

I don't think that qualifies as "venomous".. but I gave up on their used parts listings.

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:44 pm

Abscate wrote: I try not to be a Debbie Downer on this, but since its a 2010 thread revival..

Look how many shops with Vanagon expertise have closed.

In 5 years, if you can't mechanic yourself, no amount of money will help.

Thats one fat stupid guys' opinion
I don't always have the time to do my own.. and will take it to Dana's in Albany.. or Karmachanix in Oakland.

There's still general mechanic shops around in the East Bay, at least.

They are not Vanagon or necessarily VW specialists, but have the ability to do most work needed. These shops have survived the real estate squeeze for now..

So use them if you can..

Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:50 pm

j_dirge wrote: fxr wrote: These guys both have their (rather venomous) detractors, but I've found them both very helpful:

Tassi Inc in Colma : https://www.tassiinc.com/

I don't know anything about the other place.. but I have tried to give Tassi money for something so many times, I have lost count.
They can't be bothered to return a call.

Maybe if you go see them in person?

I don't think that qualifies as "venomous".. but I gave up on their used parts listings.
Turning up in person is worth it. I've also had Bruce Tassi answer in person every time I've called. YMMV of course.