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debbiej Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 1556 Location: las cruces, nm
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:50 pm Post subject: newer model year |
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I've read the go westy comparison of model years. that there are some important improvements in the vanagon from 86 on. but I wonder if the newer years really have a better cooling system, exhaust, ignition, fuel injection and brakes? are they considerably quieter on the road? we had an 87 that we drove across country with 3 kids, and it seemed quite comfortable, smoooth and quiet. but that was in 88 and it was new...
but I'd really like some honest opinions about the differences, not counting the 1.9 vs the 2.1. |
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noganav Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 1236 Location: San Diego CA
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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The newest ones (90 and 91) have better seals on the front doors that reduce noise considerably. I was surprised at how much difference it makes.
Also the 90 and 91 Westy fridges have automatic ignition which is a nice creature comfort. |
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seabright_sc Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2004 Posts: 279
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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When I had an opportunity to purchase a very nice 85 and asked a very reputable shop in Santa Cruz about the differences between 85 vs. 86+.... They said it was a lot of hype being overly emphasized by another a VW vanagon shop/company with a lot of online traffic/influence. As a result this Santa Cruz shop felt 84s and 85s were reasonably priced while many 86+ were over priced.
Not sure if this is true, but I do know that in 6+ years of ownership my 85's cooling and FI systems have never caused me any problems. |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9940 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:49 am Post subject: |
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The front door seal change started with 88 when the black plastic vents were added to the rear side windows. It is a quieter setup.
Nearly every year van is improved in some way over the prior year. Usually small incremental changes that don't amount to enough to be the determining factor in a purchase decision. The condition is the main thing.
A typical 89 is going to be quieter and more pleasant to drive than a typical 84, due to the accumulated improvements, small as most are by themselves.
Mark
noganav wrote: |
The newest ones (90 and 91) have better seals on the front doors that reduce noise considerably. I was surprised at how much difference it makes...... |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:57 am Post subject: |
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Electrical wiring upgrades and transmission gear changes also came on in 89.
I prefer the 90 and 91 models as they have, on average, seen the fewest miles. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50353
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:05 am Post subject: |
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The wiring is better on later models, but earlier ones have noticeably less of it run the engine. I like my 83 1/2 passenger van every bit as much as I have liked my later ones. I would say that condition trumps anything else. |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:13 am Post subject: |
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Wildthings wrote: |
The wiring is better on later models, but earlier ones have noticeably less of it run the engine. I like my 83 1/2 passenger van every bit as much as I have liked my later ones. I would say that condition trumps anything else. |
Very true.
Less is good...wiring wise. |
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rubbachicken Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004 Posts: 3058 Location: socal
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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power steering is a big +
it can be added
dynomat {or similar} should help with noise
central locking would be nice too
the mirrors, ours are ALWAYS getting knocked where we are nesting, the later ones would be much easier to re adjust _________________ lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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I have 4 cars & they all have 7" round headlamps. That's how I decide.
Quote: |
...asked a very reputable shop in Santa Cruz about the differences between 85 vs. 86+.... They said it was a lot of hype being overly emphasized by another a VW vanagon shop/company with a lot of online traffic/influence |
Hah hah. I like those guys but yeah, they do have a real bias going against the <86. |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Dynamat will not help with wind noise, but there is a thread about adding the later door seals to an earlier Van
1987-on have gray interiors; I prefer the tan/brown colors, BUT the brown plastic items fall apart easily and seem to have been made with either Chinese drywall or Brazilian dirt mixed into the plastic
I'd buy an '86-on Van in the best possible condition and modify anything I did not like _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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Sir Sam Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2009 Posts: 1690 Location: Fort Collins Colorado!
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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randywebb wrote: |
1987-on have gray interiors; I prefer the tan/brown colors, |
Out of curiosity, why do you prefer the tan/brown interiors? I'm of the opposite mindset so I cannot wrap my brain around your mindset(no offense intended, just curious). _________________ '91 Carat Westy
87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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I prefer the brown of my '86 too. It's a nice warm earth tone (I like earth tones), and doesn't show dirt as easily. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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as above & it adds warmth in the steely cold grey PNW mists - I only prefer the color _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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- less chance of 3/4 hub cracking (transmission)
(edit: '89 - '91?)
- vents on rear side windows
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Sir Sam Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2009 Posts: 1690 Location: Fort Collins Colorado!
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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presslab wrote: |
I prefer the brown of my '86 too. It's a nice warm earth tone (I like earth tones), and doesn't show dirt as easily. |
When you say "earth tones" I'm with you. A nice tan, kahki, etc. But when I look at the combination of butterscotch and poo brown "earth tones" don't come to my mind.
I guess to me all the brown colors are just a little too dark, if they were lighter I might be OK with them. _________________ '91 Carat Westy
87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon |
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KLSteward Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2012 Posts: 11
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:27 am Post subject: |
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seabright_sc wrote: |
When I had an opportunity to purchase a very nice 85 and asked a very reputable shop in Santa Cruz about the differences between 85 vs. 86+.... They said it was a lot of hype being overly emphasized by another a VW vanagon shop/company with a lot of online traffic/influence. As a result this Santa Cruz shop felt 84s and 85s were reasonably priced while many 86+ were over priced.
Not sure if this is true, but I do know that in 6+ years of ownership my 85's cooling and FI systems have never caused me any problems. |
Same here. |
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debbiej Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 1556 Location: las cruces, nm
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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took a trip to check out an 89. I was ready to buy if it seemed the best thing to do. I drove my westy there and was prepared to leave it at my son's house and drive the 'new' one home, return on the bus and drive ol faithful home and put her up for sale.
I do think the 89 was quieter. I saw first hand the extra rubber to cut down' the wind noise and better ventilation design. I also think it was geared differently, for the better. I loved the tach, and the way the van took the hills. plenty of reserve power and the tach showing me how wound up the engine was. the power steering was awesome and the ride was much improved, not feeling every crack in the pavement.
but I didn't do it. the van I was considering had things going on that I wasn't comfortable with. maybe they would have been nothing, but it kind of seemed like a can of worms, while I feel my own van has almost everything sorted out by now.
before the drive home in 'old faithful', I cleaned out the shelf over the left side of the van, put small towels in between the stove/drain/cabinet. found some really nice weather stripping and stuck it around the door jambs. then a different stripping in the gap between the front of the van and the edge of the doors and the whistling fly window. very pleasantly surprised by how much it helped. it reduced the noise enough that I could have a conversation on my phone and could pick out what the remaining rattles and squeaks were coming from. the skylight is one source. I don't mind not having power steering, less to break. also I like the big steering wheel. I've appreciated the threads on things that can be done to cut road noise, and it seems like it's really worth it.
thanks everyone for the information.
so going to start chasing down the rattles, creaks and rushing wind noises.
if a better later model comes along, maybe use the loan I took out to buy it instead. but if not, that's ok too. |
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