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intriguing
Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2023
Posts: 1
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:19 pm Post subject: Buying First Bus Advice |
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Hello bus lovers!
I've been wanting to buy a bus for about 15 years now and I wanted to ask for some advice as a first time buyer. I've saved up 29k and am hoping to finally use it to get a vanagon!
With a budget of 29k, will I be able to buy a reliable daily vanagon? I'm working remotely, so the only driving I'm doing is to the gym and to get groceries. This will be my only means of transportation however. Currently, I'm looking for a subaru engine conversion but I'm not sure of the price I should be paying.
I have little experience working on the mechanics of cars, but I am a quick learner and have the necessary tools to complete simple repairs and maintenance.
Lastly, what would be the average maintenance cost of a vanagon at this price? I'm really hoping to make sure the bus is in my budget and be able to have enough left over for maintenance and repairs.
Any and all thoughts or advice is very appreciated! Thank you very much! |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51153
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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Welcome!
Your budget sounds semi reasonable, and it seems like you've anticipated some of the added expenses of owning any vintage vehicle, I can't offer much opinions on Vanagons specifically, but every potential new owner should see the bear video just in case there's a head shake required before the wallet gets out of control:
Link
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Слава Україні! |
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hobthebob
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2021
Posts: 375
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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| Nice video! That's funny lol |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:19 am Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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Budget is good.
Take $1500 of that budget for 3x pre purchase inspections on vehicles you find by an outside agent.
Any T3 that is in new paint needs before and after pictures to determine real condition.
San Diego is a good scene for mechanics, but expect to pay 25-30 cents per mile for paid maintenance, with a floor of 2k per year minimum.
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PatJr
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2010
Posts: 207
Location: earth
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| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:39 am Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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maybe a Sprinter/Transit/ProMaster would be a better idea?
even with that, this looks interesting
needs a bunch of work but your budget seems to have room
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/solana-beach-1987-vw-vanagon-sold-as-is/7590454317.html
and I just saw a van with a Subaru conversion on CL, but it looks like it sold already
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1970 Transporter a orange one
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1LoWezl
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2020
Posts: 261
Location: Napa, Ca
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| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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That video had me rolling!!! And pretty much spot on aswell. ahahahahaah
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1963 ragtop
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steve244
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2022
Posts: 1668
Location: GA
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steve244
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2022
Posts: 1668
Location: GA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
Welcome!
Your budget sounds semi reasonable, and it seems like you've anticipated some of the added expenses of owning any vintage vehicle, I can't offer much opinions on Vanagons specifically, but every potential new owner should see the bear video just in case there's a head shake required before the wallet gets out of control:
Link
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Yeah but VW vans are cool.
Link
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82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf 
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way... |
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OldSchoolVW's 
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 701
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Buying First Bus Advice |
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| intriguing wrote: |
With a budget of 29k, will I be able to buy a reliable daily vanagon? I'm working remotely, so the only driving I'm doing is to the gym and to get groceries. This will be my only means of transportation however. Currently, I'm looking for a subaru engine conversion but I'm not sure of the price I should be paying.
I have little experience working on the mechanics of cars, but I am a quick learner and have the necessary tools to complete simple repairs and maintenance.
Lastly, what would be the average maintenance cost of a vanagon at this price? I'm really hoping to make sure the bus is in my budget and be able to have enough left over for maintenance and repairs. |
Just a reminder that since Vanagons were all built after 1975, California will require it to pass a smog test before you register it (and every other year thereafter). Fuel injection, when it is working properly, helps it meet the emissions requirements, but I'd make sure whoever you buy it from does the smog test and makes sure it passes. It is actually the seller's responsibility to be sure it passes smog before selling the car and provide proof to the buyer ... a lot of people don't know this and hand over the money, take possession of the vehicle, then end up with a big headache if it doesn't pass smog.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/smog-inspections/
Click on FAQ "If I sell my car, do I have to get it inspected first?"
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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