TheSamba.com :: View topic - Westfalia value diff, tin top vs. pop top

Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:16 am

I'm thinking of getting a Westy... is there a big margin diff between the two types of Westy's?

The ones I am looking at... Both are non op, not running (one with motor one w/o), have pretty much all the same interiors. There are subtle diff's I can figure out, its just the tops where I am 100% clueless. I would prefer a pop top but it is not a deal breaker.

Thanks!

Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:28 am

I don't think there is much difference in value. Either can be more desirable to a particular person. Condition is the most important factor.

Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:16 pm

Westys are rarer. Probably cost a bit more.

Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:57 pm

ccpalmer wrote: Westys are rarer. Probably cost a bit more.

I think he meant a tin top westy vs a pop top westy, I've been wrong before though.

To the OP, a tin top westy will usually have a more basic interior (often called weekenders) but the interior styles varied among poptops as well.

Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:55 pm

stuco wrote: ccpalmer wrote: Westys are rarer. Probably cost a bit more.

I think he meant a tin top westy vs a pop top westy, I've been wrong before though.

To the OP, a tin top westy will usually have a more basic interior (often called weekenders) but the interior styles varied among poptops as well.

Oops I think you're right..

Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:59 pm

Tintops are better! they make room for you big roof rack 8) i got a 3/4s

Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:37 pm

stuco wrote: ccpalmer wrote: Westys are rarer. Probably cost a bit more.

I think he meant a tin top westy vs a pop top westy, I've been wrong before though.

To the OP, a tin top westy will usually have a more basic interior (often called weekenders) but the interior styles varied among poptops as well.

^^^ Winner

I have been reading on up bay's and westy's and I realize that I really need to get a running vs. the non running ones I am looking at. The pop top has most of the interior and looks rust free and is more of what I want. But not being able to drive it scares me (been there) Throw in the cost of towing... just too much unknown poop with a too high of a asking price ($2,500)

Thanks for the input guys... my hunt continues.

Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:44 pm

Non running = no more than $1,000 (assuming the body is in good shape)

Too many people think their cars are worth Texa$ just because it's "vintage" or "rare".

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:42 am

Should be the same interior for both a tintop and a poptop Westy...someone correct me if this is wrong.

Main benefits for poptop are ability to sleep one extra person (two extras for the later bays), ability to stand up inside, extra ventilation.

Benefit of tintop is, as already mentioned, you can install a roof rack, and roof racks are uber sweet. Also, less leak worries, no canvas/poptop seals, etc to worry with.

I like both and have had both. Comes down to, for me, how many peeps you need sleeping room for. Although you can always just add a tent with a tintop.

Value wise its all about condition, but probably a slight edge for a poptop if all else is equal.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:50 am

offer him 1k for both, or dont buy them...i only pay under 1k for a bus running or not...

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:51 am

The question is, Value to whom?

Personally, I value the upstairs bed and poptop space a great deal. You can stand up in the camper, and you can sleep two comfortably up top without having to rearrange the downstairs "living room". I see no point in getting a tin top camper. I've never needed a roof rack -- there's plenty of space inside.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:57 am

Hondaslayer wrote: Non running = no more than $1,000 (assuming the body is in good shape)

Really? A non-running Westy with a solid body and complete interior is only worth $1000??? Maybe they grow on trees in your area but in my neck of the woods $2500 isn't that bad a price (tin top or not). Considering you can pick up a rebuilt longblock for 2k, for $4500 you would have a very reliable ride.

Just flip through the classifieds and see what folks are selling westies for. The cars you are looking at might not be that bad a deal. Whenever I look at 40+ year old vehicles the drive train rarely factors into the deal. Getting something solid and complete is paramount. Motors and transmissions are relatively cheap as opposed to rust repair.

If the cars you are looking at are otherwise in great shape, maybe you can bargin with the seller a bit.

-jeffrey

-jeffrey

Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:01 am

jhicken wrote: Hondaslayer wrote: Non running = no more than $1,000 (assuming the body is in good shape)

Really? A non-running Westy with a solid body and complete interior is only worth $1000??? Maybe they grow on trees in your area but in my neck of the woods $2500 isn't that bad a price (tin top or not). Considering you can pick up a rebuilt longblock for 2k, for $4500 you would have a very reliable ride.

Just flip through the classifieds and see what folks are selling westies for. The cars you are looking at might not be that bad a deal. Whenever I look at 40+ year old vehicles the drive train rarely factors into the deal. Getting something solid and complete is paramount. Motors and transmissions are relatively cheap as opposed to rust repair.

If the cars you are looking at are otherwise in great shape, maybe you can bargin with the seller a bit.

-jeffrey

-jeffrey

folks here think busses are gold....i paid 300 for mine, and it came with a BWM, so 150 each really, and drove both home. dad paid 850 for his 2 months ago, and we towed him home, and got it running this last weekend with a set of dual carbs instead of the poorly running single it had before. i paid 300 for my first transporter 3 years ago.

usually, people think a rusted out engine-less bus round here is worth about 2500, and they never get more than 1k from a VW person...usually they trick the less educated into paying too much. they are on nearly every block almost anywhere in western WA, so you could say we have a few to choose from.

also, i swear VDubTech only pays less than 500 for what he gets, and if you see what he comes out with, they are with many times more when hes done with them.

also got a buddy round seattle that buys late bays for 500 and below and parts them out....all summer long. like lots of busses.

so its not totally in-probable.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:31 am

I'm not talking about rusty non-op buses, I assume the ones the OP is looking at are solid.

Here in the northeast I see rusty beaters selling for $1000+ everyday. Occasionally you come across folks practically giving the away (I got mine for free) but that is the exception. Maybe because of the rarity of buses with little or no rust tags them at a higher price but I feel any solid and complete (running or not) Westy is worth much more than $1000.

-jeffrey

Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:37 am

jhicken wrote: I'm not talking about rusty non-op buses, I assume the ones the OP is lookin at are solid. Here in the northeast I see rusty beaters selling for $1000+ everyday. Occasionally you come across folks practically giving the away (I got mine for free) but that is the exception. Maybe because of the rarity of buses with little or no rust tags them at a higher price but I feel any solid and complete (running or not) Westy is worth much more than $1000.

-jeffrey

fair enough.

on a side note, mine were not to rusty, a bit, but not like east coast rust or anything.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:38 am

Both are good vehicles to have with plenty of resale value. If you like camping and the outdoors then the Westfalia is for you. If you can't afford a Westfalia and still like camping and the outdoors, a tin top will work and you fit it with a car top camping tent which I think is a cheaper option. Make sure your vehicle can be restored with minimum of investment. I would suggest a bus from California or anywhere in the southwestern United States. There are barn finds that crop up every so often and you have to be ready to jump on those. Rust of course is a big issue with these old buses so check and make sure you only have surface rust and not the flaking type. If you do find either one, mind you, someone may want it so bad they be willing to steal it. You can find trackable GPS units on E-bay for less than 70 bucks just to protect your investment. In any case, I hope you find what your looking for and good luck.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:10 am

Honestly, to me, the bees knees would be a 74/75 hard top camper and a roof rack. Hmmmm. Thats what I want.....

Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:37 pm

Kirk wrote: Honestly, to me, the bees knees would be a 74/75 hard top camper and a roof rack. Hmmmm. Thats what I want.....

You told me a '70 poptop Westy was the bees knees. See if I trust you again. :wink:

I'd love to see 2 77's in your garage Kirk!

Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:45 pm

Ricache wrote: Kirk wrote: Honestly, to me, the bees knees would be a 74/75 hard top camper and a roof rack. Hmmmm. Thats what I want.....

You told me a '70 poptop Westy was the bees knees. See if I trust you again. :wink:

I'd love to see 2 77's in your garage Kirk!

Your bus specifically is the bees knees and I'm proud of you for joining our ilk.

Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:37 pm

Thanks for all the input... not sure if I will ever get a westy at this point. Prices around here are just stupid. Sellers are seem to think their bus is worth a mint.