Positivity

mikemtnbike · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:11 pm Post subject: Positivity

As a pretty new member, I'm kind of tired of all the negative posts, don't buy it, if you do your pants will catch on fire and/or my pants are already on fire and I can't get them off can you help me posts...so thought I'd briefly share.

Bought my 1991 GL automatic on a total whim. Was shopping for a beater truck and saw it on craigslist, went and drove it, price was right, bought it. I do camp a lot and have a friend who's really into the local bus scene, so that did help prompt my decision. Mostly, though, it was because it was so darn much fun to drive. I haven't worked on my own cars in 20 or so years and did want to get back into that hobby, was part of why was shopping for a truck, so there's that.

Get it home. There's some problems. Used a great local mechanic for the transmission leaks (governor seal and pan gasket, I paid for the full re-seal as a preventative) and a wiring issue (that I could've solved today myself, but it was new to me). I'm able to do most the rest myself. It costs some money, but that's OK- like I said price was right. I've second guessed myself a few times, paid to have my own work checked out at same mechanic, and had one breakdown (CV axle fell off- whew- that's it? Sweet! Time to teach myself how to overhaul these). I know it's common sense, but changing ALL of your fluids and otherwise doing a tune-up- boy, can it make a difference.

Today, knock on wood, it's doing great. Leaks? No. Any electrical not working? No. Can I go 70 on the highway? Yes, actually pretty smoothly. Am I getting 20+mpg? Of course not. It's closer to 16-17, which I'm ok with.

It's also the most fun to drive, camp in, and, fortunately, work on. Everything a total chucklehead like me should attempt is totally do-able with a Bentley and the interwebz. I do recommend- before you buy- knowing there's a decent local mechanic if, like me, you're not comfortable cracking open transmissions and/or the full engine.

And, again, actually using the van for fun is just the best... it sets the right mood.

Keep the bricks rolling!

shadetreetim · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:30 pm Post subject:

Welcome. You certainly have the right attitude. Having had mine for over 4 years now, with many a shadetree upgrade in that span, we have enjoyed our Vanagon more than any vehicle we've ever owned. We drive it everywhere, except as the daily to work.

BTW, when I still had a waterboxer, my lifetime average MPG was 16.6, so you are right there.
_________________
Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!

'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

levi · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

Sweet!
I imagine you and your van will do well together.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

dobryan · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:50 pm Post subject:

That's the right attitude! 😀
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 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

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

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

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:46 pm Post subject:

You're going a tad off-script. That makes the natives restless around here. Dial it back a bit, and let's hear more of how each and every day your quarter century old purchase both disappoints and terrorizes your entire family. Now that's a proper Vanagon introduction
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

Bassyaks · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:47 pm Post subject:

GET OUT OF HERE !! Very Happy

Gnarlodious · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:07 pm Post subject:

I take it as somewhat of a hazing attitude. Any greenhorn newcomer has to get knocked around a bit.
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

outcaststudios · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:21 pm Post subject:

wait so this is a negative or positive post? im not sure because first you say youre positive or to be positive , but then you are being negative about being negative which is not positive. or do you mean like a neutral attitude? or should people only be diametrically opposed and polemic? do you want people to be positive all the time? thats nuts!
_________________
'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791

j_dirge · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:44 pm Post subject:

..rock on!
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

Howesight · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:02 pm Post subject:

I'm with the OP - - these old vans are meant for DIY mechanics and satisfy a deep need to putter and tinker. The Westfalia option just adds more puttering potential to the already putter-friendly Vanagon.

My gripe, if I were a willing, hands-on newbie (I am not), would be that neither the Bentley nor the Pro-training manuals give you any indication of what EFI parts wear out or fail most frequently, so the beginner ends up reading a lot here on the Samba to solve seemingly mysterious running problems.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

B.O.B.Wanders · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:18 pm Post subject:

It is funny how these things become a part of your life. B.O.B. has definitely had more of an impact in a short amount of time than any other vehicle I've owned - and I mean that in a positive way. Good post!

Now back to my burning pants...
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

Paulbeard · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:24 pm Post subject:

buspor63 · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:44 am Post subject:

Mike,
Welcome to the southeast group of Vanagon owners. They are a lot of fun and very utilitarian too. Like a good pet, they'll teach you a lot about yourself as you learn about them.
_________________
Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?

73thingsale

Great post, especially from a new owner. I'm in NC too, Greensboro area. Mine is 86 light blue tintop GL. I love it, I can repair / replace lots of things as required. Example, during the last 8 days of rain, my front wiper flipped around and got hung on my driver side side mirror. Driving it home in the downpour was not fun, nor very safe, but I made it and parked it for a couple days while I ordered a new wiper arm. This is the same one that two months ago exhibited signs of "arm slipping around the stub." When I first noticed the behavior, I read many pages of suggested ways to repair it (use the search Luke!) including the aluminum foil shim idea. I can report the success of that method has been inconsistent.

Fortunately, I didn't crash or cause someone else to crash due to my "cost savings" decision, so I'm enjoying the opportunity to spend some time replacing a stripped wiper arm with a nice new one from one of the great suppliers that help keep the bricks rolling. If that goes well, I plan to replace the instrument cluster lighting with the LED kit I bought in the Spring but have been putting off.
My youngest has a cub scout campout this weekend (it will likely rain the whole time) and he nearly jumped out of his chair at the den meeting and said "Can we take the bus!!?" That's why I love it.
_________________
Dave
86 GL Hardtop Blue

B.O.B.Wanders · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 7:51 am Post subject:

My westy spent a long time in the Raleigh area with owners #1 - 3 from 1984 up until around 2006. I wonder if my van knows your van?
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

Abelabelabel · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:32 am Post subject:

Good attitude. (Obsessive enthusiasm)

Proximity to a good mechanic. (Someone that can clean up your messes)

And enough resources to roll with the bad times. (Just be prepared).

Oh, and be ready to get pushed out of your comfort zone. (AAA premier membership really isn't that much if you think about it . . . )
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL / Carat Interior / Auto - White "Daily"
1990 Vanagon Carat / manual / Cherry Red "Bella Rouge"

Satch · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:02 am Post subject:

What he said... great attitude!

mikemtnbike · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot y'all!

I certainly wasn't looking for any kind of pats of the back, but I appreciate it. I do like the emphasis on attitude, because that's what I'm trying to convey. Have fun with this or why bother!

FWIW, for my fellow Cackalackians and other southeasters....I'm lucky to live in Asheville. We have two great shops in town- Dr. Dave's and Asheville VeeDub. They're different from each other in good ways, so check them both out if you're looking for somebody to throw some money at. That's a recommendation, not a promotion- no connections.

Edit**and, B.O.B., if I was a plagiarist, I'd steal that sig. Nice!

buspor63 · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 6:05 am Post subject:

Mike,
Asheville is a great place to be for all sorts of camping opportunities. The Full Moon Bus Club host many just a couple of hours drive from you. The next one I can think of is coming up at Mile High Campground on the BRP down towards Cherokee, it's the weekend of Oct 9/10/11.

I was just in Asheville, we came over for Brewgrass... good times.
_________________
Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?


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