| Author |
Message |
dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8470
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
|
 Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
 |
|
Flood victim? That random rust coming through the floor panels is wild… 
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12371
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
The sloppy undercoating spray is probably hiding more of the ugly.
The seat belt end is rusting along with the under seat hardware and steering column hardware is severely rusty. That is hard to do and I live by the ocean
I would NOT call that a nice van, I feel bad for the unsuspecting buyer that gets it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4369
Location: MD
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
Undercarriage looks fine, other parts of the chassis have major cancer. Looks like it was bought and forgot in someones seaside Florida home.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tdivan82 
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2023
Posts: 344
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
When I first found this listing, the low mileage had me thinking it was a really nice van, a time capsule sort of find.
https://www.classicautomall.com/vehicles/7654/1991-volkswagen-vanagon-westfalia-camper
But then going through the photos, it just gets worse and worse. The undercarriage is all rusted to hell, and there's weird body damage.
But on the other hand, the cockpit area looks absolutely pristine.
What's going on with this one?
_________________
82 Westy TDI (ahu) - 70 mph uphill + 28 mpg
See my Classified ad for a super deal on a Burley Motorsport Front Disc Brake Kit! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sanchius
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1583
Location: IN
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2025 4:56 am Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
Seems like a solid deal for a good looking Bostig Westy. Needs paint. No relation
1985 Bostig Westy Weekender $10K - Danville IL
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1228050285302460
1985 Bostig Westy Weekender $10K - Danville IL
About this vehicle
- Driven 237,000 miles
- Manual transmission
- Exterior color: Blue · Interior color: Tan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
Seller's description
1985 Vanagon Westy Weekender. 237,XXX miles. However, it has a Bostig engine conversion with a 2001 ish 2.0 Zetec with around 70k miles according to previous owner. There is an Ultragauge for keeping an eye on the engine. Runs great. No concerns with taking it a road trip as long as you aren't in a hurry. It maxes out at about 65 mph. Averages 20 to 21 mpg.
Clean title. 2WD. Manual transmission. Recent clutch, alternator, fuel pump and sending unit, power steering reservoir and lines, starter, CV axles, coil, spark plugs and wires.
Good tires.
Has dual batteries, and a Fiamma awning. Also comes with a box full of the original curtains.
Interior has no odors or smells.
Bench seat folds down into a bed, with another bed in the pop-top.
Though not urgent, it needs the following: paint work as the clearcoat is coming off, a new windshield, a couple rust spots under windows and it has a few areas starting to show some seam rust. Probably needs an exhaust update before it would pass an emissions inspection. The batteries die if it isn't driven for a couple weeks and we haven't been able to figure it out. Would be worth quite a bit more once all this is fixed.
We enjoyed travelling all over the west in this van and will miss it, but we are ready to let the next person take it on more adventures and fix it when it breaks 
No trades, won't accept offers under asking price, cash only, and would prefer to sell to someone mechanically inclined (or willing to learn) as it is 40 years old so there are occasional issues!
_________________
The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - In Hoosierland (2023-now)
Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bub
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 1317
Location: Central Washington
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
This Van is something else you guys. I've known this Van since Dan imported it.
It is absolutely one of a kind, there is nothing like this thing anywhere else on earth. The price is what it is, but make no mistake it could be twice that and you'd find it hard to argue about.
Don't know what else to say, if you're "in the market" for something like this and your budget is even remotely close..THIS IS IT.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2754110
_________________
| hitest wrote: |
| Had a girlfriend once who shall we say, nearly arrived at the mere sight of a semaphore in action- easy to please she was... |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4694
Location: Richmond VA
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/695138010101129
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mtnhome
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 622
Location: Summit County, CO
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobhill8
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2017
Posts: 793
Location: MA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4694
Location: Richmond VA
|
| Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 3:10 am Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
Can't believe this is still available after 12 weeks. If I planned to replace my squashed Westy I'd buy this.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/605748102236096
*edit*
The main thing keeping me away is knowing I'd have to modify my garage door to get inside; plenty of interior height but a 7' high opening.
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BigPapaV
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2023
Posts: 74
Location: Long Beach, CA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2405
Location: Bonners Ferry Idaho
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blue72beetle
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2008
Posts: 893
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mckinleyvillian
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2021
Posts: 596
Location: Bristol County, MA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
That looked like a really nice deal. That thing could have been otr for less than 2grand
_________________
so many roads i know
all i want is one to take me home
85 Vanagon GL 1.9 stick |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mtnhome
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 622
Location: Summit County, CO
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xflyer
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006
Posts: 317
Location: SOCAL
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
The AC system on the 86 camper is usually unsatisfactory for most people even when in top OE condition. It has a smaller evaporator than the 87-91 models hence a lower airflow with less temperature drop. To get it functioning it will need all new hoses, new compressor, filter/drier, and flush-vacuum-and recharge. There are plenty of threads here on The Samba of people that have overhauled these systems. Usual price for parts is about $2K.
If you are not familiar with Vanagon campers, there is no cooled/AC air out of the dash. It only comes out of the rear evaporator above the back seat. Small Car in Washington state has an in dash unit, but note it is not cheap. Price starts at $2K for the kit plus installation and any needed repairs to the existing AC.
The OE cruise control worked fine when new, but likely there are worn out parts now. Most of the parts are NLA as new, so used ones are the only source and often the parts that fail are hard to find as lots of people want them.
A solution is to get an aftermarket Rostra kit. That will need a skilled and experienced person to install it correctly.
The weak point on the 2.1 L Vanagon engine is the connecting rod bolts. They tend to stretch and then the nut comes off. The rod then starts colliding with other engine parts making it all scrap metal. Only solution is to overhaul the engine and either replace the bolts/rebuild the rods or use better rods. The Vanagons seldom break or "drop" valves.
Be concerned about the brakes: Likely need new hoses and rebuild or replace the calipers and rear wheel cylinders.
Steering may also be a problem. Did not notice if the van has power steering. Most of the Vanagons sold in North America after mid 1985 had it. The rack and or the pump may be worn and needing replacement. Also there are rubber discs in the steering linkage/column. Those are also likely deteriorated and needing replacement.
Whatever van you are thinking about buying have an experienced shop check it first. Expect to pay $150-200 which is cheap if you avoid problems or can get the van for a lower price due to needed repairs.
_________________
1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
virusdoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2018
Posts: 643
Location: Alton, IL, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
That’s something.
_________________
1976 Convertible Super Beetle, "June Bug".
Self-rebuilt 1904
1976 Campmobile 2.0L FI, "Kermit" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4531
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2405
Location: Bonners Ferry Idaho
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
virusdoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2018
Posts: 643
Location: Alton, IL, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Good deals on Nice Vans |
|
|
| Mckinleyvillian wrote: |
i'm not expert, and, i've lived on both the west coast in a van heavy area and now the east coast in a not so van heavy area during my time owning and looking at vanagons.
$23,000 is way too much dough for an all original van. Clean interior can be like putting lipstick on a pig, man. cleaning for a sale is easy, man. The WBX has never been removed, meaning, more than likely the waterjackets are original. that's gonna need work. The cruise and AC are disabled, why? for $23000 smackers, I want that up to snuff. some rust at the winows? that's only what you're seeing. there could well be more under the window gaskets. it likes to spread there. Rear heater lines are leaking? that's an easy fix that the dude who currently owns it should have taken care of. if he can't navigate, or isn't willing to navigate that sort of easy fix, what else is being neglected?
on top of that, unless you've got the know how and space, a new, rebuilt, or engine conversion could well run you at least half the current price of the van.
Just saying that 23k for a stock westy in 2025 is high as f==k. I saw a clean, running 86 westy near me in Massachusetts go for $6500 a few months back. If I didn't just buy a house, I'd have bought that van in a heartbeat. Now that van i mentioned may be an anomaly, but there's equally nice or nicer vans out there than this one in NC going for a better ticket. If you put in the time to search, you will find something.
I'd be buying the cheapest, running van with a straight body if you're planning to do an engine swap to make it more modern and safe anyways. Y'all drive like menances down there in NC, you're going to want the HP of a subaru imho if you're on the freeway. Say you spend $10k on a van, then you can take that other $13k and put in a very nice engine swap.
Westymotorwerks in Asheville currently has an 87 syncro (4x4) vanagon with a subaru swap already completed for $25k asking price. |
I appreciate this thoughtful reply. I don't think I did a very good job on some of what I reported above. By "clean", I don't just mean the guy cleaned out the inside. The entire interior looked almost unused. No stains, scuffs, tears, wear, or deformed foam anywhere in the seating areas or the engine compartment cover or the Westfalia cabinets.
And the problems this guy had, that I mention above, he all had professionally repaired. Other than the canvas, it needs nothing to be fully functional. Well--cruise and AC being disabled is, I agree, questionable. He said they were disabled when he got it 10 years ago. I assume the AC had a leak and the PO didn't use it much in hot weather, so cut the belt. I don't know how error prone the cruise controls are.
The engine is a big unknown, and I agree it is likely near end of life. I would probably put a GW 2700 in it once it needed a replacement, but if it is driving fine and it passes a compression and leak down test, both of which I can do, I would run it until it blows a head gasket or drops a valve.
I really don't know how to value these at all. I think it is a fantastic drivable project, but I would of course love to pay half what he's asking for it if that is fair.
_________________
1976 Convertible Super Beetle, "June Bug".
Self-rebuilt 1904
1976 Campmobile 2.0L FI, "Kermit" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
