How much should a trans cost for 90 westy?

[skoboatin]

My auto trans went out in my 1990 westfalia. Now i love the vehicle, but I can't afford to spend a ton of $ fixing it. I just a got a quote from a guy that works exclusively on VW's and I feel like the cost is......well INSANE!!! My VW is in great shape too, does anybody have a clue what I could sell it for with the broken trans?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help with these questions. Wish me luck, I don't want to see my VW go!!!!!!!

~Peace~
Brock

[Deaffy]

I've not dealt with the automatic transmissions myself, although I have passed on buying a nice aircooled Westy because of it being an auto.

That said, I think you're looking at some big bucks unless it's something painfully simple. Did the estimate you get come from an inspection, or just a ballpark over-the-phone quote? How much was it?

To help you weigh your decision, here's a link for a place that supposedly sells rebuilt trannys- http://www.rebuilt-transmissions.com/vw_transmissions_models.html

You might also want to check with the local salvage yards, etc., see if there's a motor-dead Vanagon with a workable transmission, or if they can locate one for you.

::edit:: Just got an email back from that rebuilt-transmissions.com place, and they informed me they don't have any Vanagon transmissions (even though their site lists them). Sorry, kids.

[skoboatin]

His estimate was about $3500-4000! Thanks so much for the link and trying to help out but they didn't have the tranny I was looking for. What do you think it could go for as is? The engine runs great and everything else in it looks good too! There is just two half dollar size rust patches and low miles. I don't have a clue what to ask for it though. Thanks agian for the help.

Cheers,
Brock

[Deaffy]

That estimate seems a tad high. Okay, a lot high. Maybe the guy was high?

Anyway .. yeah, I am sure it will be a pricey endeavor no matter where you go. No cheap long-term solutions with Vanagons.

You don't mention what area of the country you are in, but that will play a big part in for just how much you can sell your wounded Westy. Also, figure that winter time for a camper that is in project mode will yield you less dollars. Folks usually don't clamor to jump into a project post-holiday, pre-tax time (if they end up paying taxes, that is).

Using the NADA Guide (the Kelley Blue Book was down- www.kbb.com ) for a mid-range retail 90 Westy, the suggested amount is $6788. That figure takes into account a functioning vehicle, though. You'd have to adjust (or not) for the transmission situation.

What I would do is this ... exhaust every possible source for getting a temporary salvage transmission to get you back on the road. Failing that, take lotsof digital pics and post an ad here on The Samba or even on eBay. Be thorough in your description, point out the pluses and minuses, and ask for what you feel would be reasonable, armed with what you know about the vehicle.

I probably didn't tell you anything new, but hopefully a solution to fixing your Westy will come about rather than having to sell it. Aside from a Saab Sonnet I once owned, it's the only kind of vehicle I have a strong attachment to, and would dread having to part with in any event.

Good luck!

[DB]

My suggestion is to look for a used Vanagon (maybe that has leaky heads) that has a good auto trans in it. You should be able to find one for about $500 dollars. Look for passenger buses and not campers they are cheaper to buy. Its to bad I just unloaded a auto Vanagon for $350 ran and shifted well, nice interior, beat paint and rear wheel arches, and not rusty for the North East. Pull the transmission and donate the bus to charity for a tax write off. It is a pretty easy task to change transmissions in a Vanagon, doing all the work yourself won't take you any more then a weekend - that includes very generous breaks. I do know that the auto transmissions are very spendy to get rebuilt, you might want to see if it is just the torque converter or something. My two cents...