87-91 Westfalias - Which year would you get?

[archicarp]

My wife and I are shopping for Westfalias. I have been looking for a couple months and have read the GoWesty model overview and know that this year range is what I want to get.
The prices go up a bit with the newer ones, but are they worth it? Is there an advantage to a '91 over an '87 if the conditions of the two seem to be about the same? The only differences between model years when originally built seems to be a design flaw in the transmission of the '86/'87 models.
Thoughts, advice, and opinions welcomed

Thanks

[Wildthings]

Owned several Vanagons, a 91 Multi, a 87 Syncro, and a 83 1/2. For the money I paid the 83 1/2 has proven itself equal to the others. I like the interior layout of the Multi with its table and rear facing seats, the Syncro for it 4WD in the snow, and the 83 1/2 for its simplicity.

[PDXWesty]

I would buy the newest, best maintained Westy I could find and afford. It will save you money and be worth more in the long run. You've seen it for yourself when looking at the classifieds. If you buy one that's in good condition, you will spend far less keeping it maintained.

[[email protected]]

'89-91 have the best cabinetry, nothing major but its enough that if you don't have them, you wish you did Closet door opens with table in place, pantry (under sink) has stops on the shelves, I think 90-91 only that have the electronic ignition on the dometic fridge, '89 -up also did away with the crappy ass plastic chrome trim on the window rubber and used the black framed sliders (were always on the earlier weekenders) and '88-up has the extra weatherstripping on the front door which helped a bit with noise.


I have an '88 tourist Delivery model. I have updated the sliders and did away with the crappy chrome strip, pulled the shelves outta an '89 pantry, have figured out a electric ignition for the Dometic (but it won't relight if it goes out on its own). I have not been able to score a new closet though with the smaller door (well except for a burnt one from an engine fire ), which I would say is the one thing I really wish I had!
_________________
Markus

[sbclayton]

I bought a 91 in November, 1990. I liked the hatch release loop inside the back hatch, which was there to use if you ever needed to get out in a hurry (of course, you could install one on another year).

No real advantage, IMO - but I, too, would buy the best maintained and newest my funds would allow. And I wish I had my 91 back!
_________________
Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.

[dobryan]

I'm partial to the '87 since it has the metal bumpers which are easy to replace if damaged. The fiberglass bumpers are very expensive and not very durable. If you do any off pavement driving it is also easy to damage the front air dam as well. These issues may not be important to you but they were to me. YMMV.

Other than that I'd go for the one with the least rust. Try to find one with none if you can, even if you pay some more for it. Once rust starts on the seams it is real hard to stop permanently. Enjoy whatever you do get.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[WestyBob]

[Terry Kay]

I can't honestly say that I have ever seen a later model Westfalia without AC--ever.

Innoperable -sure , but a late model AC void Westy I think would be an oddity.
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T.K.

[fatboypaul]

I have a 1990 Westy with no AC.

[Terry Kay]

So what's in back in front of the hatch??

No intake shelf & nothing in front of it where the evaporator box usually is?
_________________
T.K.

[Robw_z]

Call me vain, but I shopped for '89-'91s because I like the bigger VW emblem on the grill and the one in the center of the hatch . Also the blacked out trim makes the van look much more modern.

FYI I believe the transmission fault was in production well into '89; this is just going by what I've read though.

-Rob

[PDXWesty]

I had an 89 Westy with no AC. Cabinet where the AC goes.

[WestyBob]

[PDXWesty]

Factory 89 Westy with no AC. Not Canadian or import. I knew I should have saved that cabinet!

[archicarp]

Thanks for the advice and the breakdowns. Best condition within my budget seems to be the consensus with the specific year being personal preference. The no body rust, cabinet differences, and bumper comments are especially helpful.

I have heard that the engines will almost always need replacement or significant rebuilds with heads needing help almost without exception. Should I expect to have to do this if it hasn't been done already?

Since I'm a newbie - does the a/c unit take up all the space of that cabinet in the rear ceiling?

[madspaniard]

[Wildthings]

Yeap the AC takes up all the overhead space. Hard to know what kind of engine work to expect, you can't believe what most seller tell you. I personally like to look for a vehicle with easily discernible engine or transmission problems and get a big discount on the price.

[j_dirge]

[j_dirge]

[Love My Westy]

The 86 & 87 have a 1" higher ground clearance. They lowered the 88's to make them easier for a woman to climb in. It was in response to the minivan craze.

I would look for a low milage well maintained vehicle 86 to 91. Our 86 has a whole lot fewer miles on it (130k) than a lot of 91s I've seen. Ours is a weekender with the '87 A/C (the shrouding and vents are run farther forward from the rear cabinet) It came with the blackout window trim. When it comes to buying parts I've noticed that Syncro is a german word which means "costs a lot more".