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SpeedoJosh
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012
Posts: 143
Location: NC
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 Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:41 pm Post subject: What else am I missing |
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I got bit by the Westfalia bug and am in the market. So I've been doing a lot of searching and reading.
My main concerns where when the engines changed, whether it was for better or worse, and if the auto trans was tough or garbage.
So what I've gathered is in 86 they went away from air-cooled, so the 86+ is better, and the autos are fine.
So if I'm looking for an 86+ with an auto, is there any other variant at that time I should keep my eye out for?
Of course all this goes out the window if the vehicle has a different engine, which seems pretty common. What's the more desirable engine swap? I've seen everything from suby engines to VW TDIs. |
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jsmitch11
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2011
Posts: 337
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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They switched from air-cooled motors in 83.5(diesels earlier). In 86 they re-did the sliding door, changed the motor to 2.1 , ect. Autos are solid.
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia Syncro Hightop
1986 Vanagon Syncro(RIP)
1989 Vanagon Wolfsburg Whitestar Edition(RIP)
My Van syncro conversion/restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535730&highlight=black+diamond |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8531
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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hdenter
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2961
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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The auto trans is solid (literally a cast iron case), but you will pay for it with less fuel ecconomy than the manual trans.
Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender |
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SpeedoJosh
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012
Posts: 143
Location: NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the links
Ok, figured out where I made the mistake. 86 is water-cooled but also is the newer engine. 2.1.
I've searched and can't find any real figures. Anybody have a link or know the following:
MPG on the 1.9 manual and auto
MPG on the 2.1 manual and auto |
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randywebb
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005
Posts: 3815
Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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SpeedoJosh
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012
Posts: 143
Location: NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, figured the newer 2.1 would get better gas mileage. 17 on the hwy. I've seen people claiming 20+. Is that wishful thinking on their part, or underrated figures from VW?
2mpg difference in the auto and manual. That's a big bummer there |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3479
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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| SpeedoJosh wrote: |
2mpg difference in the auto and manual. That's a big bummer there |
Are you looking for a Westy? If so, it's best to start thinking of these things as really economical RVs instead of really spacious cars (my mom's mega-RV gets single digit mpg). And also, there's a good chance that the regular maintenance demands of either type of tranny will eclipse any fuel cost concerns.
That said, I would suggest holding out for a standard instead of an auto. The ONLY thing I wish was different on my Westy is that mine is an auto (but it's rust free, had a meticulous previous owner, all service receipts since it was new, and it popped up for sale right here in my isolated town). The auto is reliable but there is a mpg penalty and what I imagine is a hefty performance penalty too. I really wish I could tell it what gear to be in instead of it just lumbering along in 3rd up those looong Rocky Mountain passes (at 55 mph in a 75 mph zone).
Keep in mind, when you say "newer 2.1" you're still talking about a 20+ year old vehicle. My 91 Westy gets only slightly less mpg than my 94 Nissan Pathfinder. And I can't sleep comfortably in the Nissan.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10305
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:36 am Post subject: |
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| SCM wrote: |
| ... The ONLY thing I wish was different on my Westy is that mine is an auto (but it's rust free, had a meticulous previous owner, all service receipts since it was new... |
Exactly.
The OP may find the more he reads that condition (absence of rust, good prior maintenance, etc) trumps all other issues of engine, transaxle, mileage and age. |
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SpeedoJosh
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012
Posts: 143
Location: NC
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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I figured the Auto would be more comfortable in daily traffic. Mine would be a trip maker, but also a daily cruiser when I can't ride the moto.
I'm only preferring the 2.1 from what I've read on here. Seems people are saying it's night and day difference between it and the 1.9. Seems like people are asking the same for both, so might as well opt for the more power. |
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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2022
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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| A Westfalia that has been taken care of, maintained and upgraded is the best buy. You think you would know the difference between a 2.1 and a 1.9.....barely. Depending on milage, 2.1 throw rods, 1.9 do not. If you get a later model, be sure the power windows work, power locks like to fail. 84 and earlier upholstery wears prematurely. |
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SpeedoJosh
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012
Posts: 143
Location: NC
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Gotcha. Sounds good. I just remember reading a couple threads where people were bashing the 1.9 saying the 2.1 was a huge improvement. Guess it's all in the eye of the beholder.
I'll take your guy's advice though, and look for a clean Westy in my price range, and ride the wheels off. |
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