TheSamba.com :: View topic - Thinking of buying a VW bus (first time), any advice?

Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:01 pm

I'm thinking of buying a VW bus - my requirements are mostly practical - storage space and travel, but I like the look of the Volkswagen Type 2 the best (let's say it's between a pick-up with a camper and a Volkswagen Type 2).

I have a budget of about ~$14,000, as far as I understand for something close to that it is possible to buy a relatively rust free vehicle.
One of my larger problems is that I reside in Maine - this is absolutely not the state to purchase rust free vehicles! Which leaves me with Ebay and distant classifieds - from merely Ebay pictures, and seller descriptions it's really hard to get a good assessment of the quality of the vehicle (I'd be very much obliged to receive some advice here, from those that have had success buying a bus on Ebay or otherwise remotely).
I have done some mechanical work and I could swap an old engine - but I am not particularly looking for a do-it-yourself longterm project -- especially I don't have the setup to do body work - which seems the be more often an issue than engine internals.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:56 pm

Sorry, what does "V2" mean? A late camper?
If so, for $14 grand you should be able to find a very nice bus (stay with mostly original buses if you want it to be a sound investment). Start surfing the samba classifieds and posting in this thread the ads that pique your interest. If there are plenty of pictures and a decent description we can narrow them down pretty easily. I would look closer in the neighbor hood of $10k-$13k and have a little bank for travel expenses and minor repairs or making it "yours".

Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:11 pm

I've seen a lot of busses that look fantastic in pics. But just can't tell if they are pigs with lipstick. My buddy told me a guy got a bus from Florida off the inter web that actually had tape over the rust holes bondoed and painted.
I looked at a sweet looking bus from a guy who bought it (physical)sight unseen across country. I looked at it and saw all kinds of body flaws he was unaware of. I see plenty of west coast busses with rust. Point being you got to examine it. Sure there are plenty of solid buses but you gotta have it checked out. Then there is mechanical stuff. I choose one with some rust that ran really well on the cheap then put the rest of my budget into the body work savings. This way I know it would be done proper. The body guy I spoke with who does a lot of buses on the west coast giggled about a rust free bus. Said all buses have rust. It's just a matter of time. All the good tip top buses I've seen have had proper bodywork by the current owner. Don't everyone call me out. I know there are exceptions. Again you got to get your hands on it and look. I'm a camper so having a straight semi Rusty bus with full proper interior with tent is was important to me. Haven't felt the need to fix the body just yet (two years later). When you start meeting bus folks. You will see some you drool over and some not as nice as yours. But everyone is having a good time :D One day as these buses go up in value and I'm not using it off road I might make the plunge for body work. As everyone will tell you. Buy the best body you can. But you already now this. Happy hunting and I hope you get a bus that brings a smile to your face. Mine does. And I named him Rusty.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:25 pm

Seems you'll have to be buying somthing from far away, a plane ticket is far cheaper than suprise rust repair, either go look yourself or find a member here that can do a presale inspection for you.
And just because I can I'll post this :P :

Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:43 pm

you have plenty of budget for what you want, just look until you find what you want and then go check it out. I drove 500 miles to go look at mine, i ended up buying it. Yes, it has some rust, but nothing that can't be dealt with. You can find a complete decent bus for well under 10k if you keep your eyes open for the 'one' ... best of luck.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:51 pm

My 72 had a battery tray made out of duct tape with bondo over and painted. Actually looked pretty good. Polyester resin in holes in cargo floor. Why didn't the shithead fix it right? :?

Always suspect the cat that wants to meet you in a parking lot. You just never have time to investigate. On the other hand lots of people don't want every dickwad ebayer/craigslister pawing through their stash.

Personally, I think buying any ebay, sight-unseen rig is like rollin' a joint when the Grizzly's chargin'. Also, mechanical things can be "easily" fixed with a little knowhow and an eye for good deals on parts. Rust issues are expensive and so, even if you do the work yourself, require specialized knowledge, tools, and skills.... also expensive.

A bus is like a cow dog....you might have to go through a few before you get a good one

Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:59 pm

busdaddy wrote: Seems you'll have to be buying somthing from far away, a plane ticket is far cheaper than suprise rust repair, either go look yourself or find a member here that can do a presale inspection for you.
And just because I can I'll post this :P :

I love that video!

I don't know what a V2 is either. Is it a splittie because it has a V and 2 windows in the front?

T2a (early bay): from 68-71.
T1 engine :)
'68 is a one off year
'71 has power disc brakes

T2b (late bay): from 72-79
T4 engine, that changes over the years from a carbed 1700 to FI 2000cc
'72 is a one off year
Better front crash protection
Later models have a higher geared transaxle (called on 091)

Many other differences but that's a good start.

A pickup with a camper is a whole different animal then a bus. One you fill up and check the oil. One you fill up, add oil, work on, learn lessons when you buy Chinese parts, everybody smiles and waves at you.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:13 pm

One of my larger problems is that I reside in Maine

I live in southern California so I may be off base here but I have been to Maine. As I remember it the summer there is about two weeks long and in July. Beisdes that it rains a lot and gets really freaking cold. Now maybe someone like Busdaddy who lives pretty close to the same latitude as you can add to this but off hand I'd say an air cooled bus would be a poor vehicle for that climate. You might do better with a late model Vanagon which is water cooled and probably actually has a heater that works as well as defrost. We lived in North Carolina for 7 years and drove a 1971 bus daily. The winters there are mild compared to Maine and my wife froze her butt off taking the kids to school sometimes.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:30 pm

I think that video is a requirement to watch before owning a bus.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:32 pm

hurin wrote: I am not particularly looking for a do-it-yourself longterm project

= $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:43 pm

Brian wrote: hurin wrote: I am not particularly looking for a do-it-yourself longterm project

= $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

to expand a bit, these vehicles were made to be worked on by the owner and as such they tend to survive a bit better if the owner is at least familiar with their workings

Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:58 pm

Surely there must be a sticky for this question...

Try here:

http://www.thelatebay.com/index.php?forums/buying-a-vw-camper/

Thu Dec 04, 2014 3:06 pm

Greg in GA wrote: Brian wrote: hurin wrote: I am not particularly looking for a do-it-yourself longterm project

= $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

to expand a bit, these vehicles were made to be worked on by the owner and as such they tend to survive a bit better if the owner is at least familiar with their workings

And by not wanting to work on it means you have to pay for someone else to work on it.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 3:12 pm

Find someone who will let you drive one before you get too involved .
They are SLOW and awkward to drive .
They have very little protection in the front if you get into a collision .
Ownership means a commitment to tinker and maintain .

I USED to own a 69 bus .

Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:07 pm

Make the budget bigger (ceiling $16Kish) and use the samba ads with
the sellers who take a lot of pictures of their handy-work and/or have
extensive history on said vehicle, & see if you have local support shop for
air cooled VWs. If not, you will be adjusting rear brakes, clutch, maybe
valves and ignition points too.
If you locate a potential candidate and it's in VW country, they should be
willing to drop it at a shop for pre-buy inspection on your dime.
This will eliminate most of those who are misrepresenting their wares,
and keep you from being ripped off.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:29 pm

And one more thing. GET PROPER TIRES!!! Even really nice looking with decent tread might be all tore up on the inside, side wall. Which times 5 are not really cheap. But worth every penny. Add that to your budget.
I learned the hard way :evil: along the freeway doing 65 at midnight.

Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:43 pm

grandpa pete wrote: Find someone who will let you drive one before you get too involved .
They are SLOW and awkward to drive .
They have very little protection in the front if you get into a collision .
Ownership means a commitment to tinker and maintain.
X2
If you find one your interested in check here to see if there is an experienced bus owner who would be willing evaluate the condition of the bus for you. I agree a plane ticket to see the bus in person will be the best money spent.

Fri Dec 05, 2014 12:24 am

Don`t do it. If you don`t wanna work on it.

Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:55 am

Seems more honest people advertiser on 'TheSamba' then evil :evil: bay/C.list

Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:15 am

Whoa, I'd be thinking long and hard to let mine go for 14K. :-k

-dasdachshund