Things I like

[drip]

I purchased a 1982 diesel Westy last July. Drove it home and haven’t driven since just going through the entire van and now has 2.0 cis engine.
But what I find mechanic friendly are:
How the seats slide forward and out.
How the steering wheel pops off easy with no tapered splines. So much easier to work on dash.
How the dash cluster cover pops off for m/c, dashlights and gage access.
How the glove box and lower heater grill pops off for access.
How the ashtray pops out for radio access.

For a lot of you owners it’s just second nature but for new owners it a cool thing!!
Should be on the road next month

[jimf909]

Those are nice features to like. The m/c nestled in and above wiring/connections/van interior is a bit odd but seeming necessary.

Other things to like:
- wbx dipstick and oil fill through the license plate is amazing
- starter battery in the passenger compartment may be considered a plus
- removing the oil filter and draining engine and trans oil w/out jacking up the van
- filling windshield washer fluid w/out opening the hood

I’m sure there are others. And maybe some of the above are not better, just different.

I guess filling the tires is nearly universal (except for the H1sj
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- Jim

[Sodo]

Getting into the driver seat from the slider door
Getting into bed from the driver seat.
Sleeping.
Making coffee on the stove then walk forward (hunkered) and sit in driver seat.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[jberger]

[DuncanS]

Things I didn't like. Trying to find the silly little hole to replace the dipstick in poor light, so I: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1829561.jpg
And the glove box which didn't allow access to anything beyond the top layer. When the car finally died and was cleaning it out I discovered--"So that's where that was!" And radio access and general under dash access so I:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1767092.jpg
Actually love it all, but being a tinkerer, I just have to fiddle with and change things.

[the joker]

I like that when I'm out cruising , out of the 10's of thousand autos on the road , the westy always sticks out , can't remember the last time I wasn't asked about it , when filling up , and never mind the notes left "if interested in selling etc."


oh, the best is those pouring rain nights camping, knowing tent campers are having a restless night battling puddles / leaks

[AndyBees]

A Vanagon is really a simple vehicle to work on.

-front-end suspension has all three adjustments (Toe, Camber & Caster)
-parts are available, used and new
-fun to drive
-as suggested, several tasks underneath can be done without jacking up the vehicle
-attention getters whether Westy or Tin-top (which I prefer)

I like this combo: (the TDI engine handles it extremely well)

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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[Ahwahnee]

When diagnosing some issue (was it cruise control operation?) I was able to directly observe the engine (and tweak the throttle) while my wife drove.

The way the bed is pre-warmed for a chilly night after a long drive.

The driving postion - sitting up (not reclining) and the steering wheel placement.

The way you can hear a sliding door closing and know w/o looking that it is another Vanagon.

Able check and air up the spare w/o removing anything but the valve cap.

An of course, the sound a WBX makes putzing through the campground at 5 mph.

[calo1956]

I have owned my 1980 for almost 39 yrs! I love everything about it! But most of all the memories I have of my kids growing up in it, and oh yea, the smile i have every time i drive it!

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Enjoy the ride....
72 bug
80 westfalia

[dobryan]

I like this topic.
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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

[Merian]

I like that it's a small camper & groovey lookin' and a pretty well thought out camper, and that there are thousands of them in town.
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....

[VicVan]

[theadventureneverends]

Sure like staring at it.

Like knowing my wife is warm, comfortable, and sleeping well inside.

[mikemtnbike]

Everything, but my current favorite is pulling into a trailhead, stepping out of the drivers seat, standing comfortably hunched over, and putting the dogs on leashes before the van opens. I couldn’t do this before but gained about 5” of headroom with my pop top conversion (unopened, obviously).
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[fxr]

Several bottle-openers built in from the factory.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[tjet]

[vegpedlr]

I like how they are bigger on the inside than the outside. Especially compared to the SUV-ish things populrnthese days.
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1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[fxr]

[kourt]

So many things--but those Eurovan seats that recline fully are nice.

kourt

[ThankYouJerry]

Pack up, go anywhere, camp, sleep, cook, and make memories at the drop of a dime... repeat. And in between... practicality as a utilitarian daily driver 🤙🏼
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD