89 weekender

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help! i'm looking at purchasing an '89 vanagon. i know nothing about these. it can be seen at the samba (it resides in new york). i've checked the yahoo sites for consumer reports, etc., but i would really like to hear from those of you who own one or have owned one. i want it for an extended trip. i was going to use my '66 bus, but i am currently replacing the entire rear end and will never have it completed by the departure date. the '89 has low miles and seems to be in good condition. it has a 4-cyl. 2.1 liter and a 4 speed. thanks for any assistance. this is a great site (it's how i found my '66). thanks again...

[vwsrus]

It's a far strech from a 66. Most folks go from split to bay then to Vanagon. But never the less, it looks like it's in nice shape. You do realize that it was wrecked and then put back together. You should find out about that. The biggest thing on Vanagons are the over designed cooling system. THe water jackets tended to do some leaking every 90K or so. That's a big job. Most people would rather sell it than to do the repair. Ask why they are selling of course.

I've got a 88 Westy the same color. The ride is real nice and the motor is a whopping 2.1L. But it is still a VW van. I cruise at about 70-75 on the interstate. It likes it. I have done 85 so it does have the power to scoot.

I've got 150K on mine. The transmission was replaced before bought it. I've had no other big problems with it. Just small stuff hee and there.

Feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions for me.

Good luck

[Boegrrl]

I have an 87 2.1 Weekender manual I love! I would def check the clutch install date, does it have new fuel lines to deter fire in engine bay? Also check the state of the batteries, and get yrself a AAA membership just in case. (ALWAYS tow with a flat bed truck only.)

W/o all the kitchen build your mileage will be slightly better and there is so much gear to meet camping needs.

I have never hesitated to make any and all mechanical repairs to mine. In fact just rebuilt the engine. Unfortunately I took care of all things mechanical over body - don’t make it “either or” try to do both.
I am now ready to part with her, sooo many awesome memories! You will build your own!
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'87 Wolfsburg Weekender

[RoryGirl]

Holy Necro-bump!

[campism]

In case anyone's curious, I searched on the OP's history and found this from '04:

"before i list my vanagon for sale/parts, i thought i'd find out from the samba if it is worth it. what are people especially looking for. this is an '89 weekender. it was an excellent ride until my wife hit the deer. the vanagon had just taken us along the lewis and clark trail, down the west coast, and back home along route 66. everything worked. no overheating, lots of cold air, etc. but now i'm retiring and don't have the money it would take to fix it. for sure the engine is strong - good compression (everything was checked before we left), manual transmission is fine, brakes, etc. of course, the radiator is damaged as is the ac. so, i'm just curious if people want items like these. thanks so much..."

Most of his posts are in the Split forum. Hope he's enjoying retirement and has had many more fun trips in whatever he's rolling these days.
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'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.