Buying a Vanagon

[dabaron]

i have talked at length with a friend who owns a westy weekender. we are very different people in our approaches to Vanagon purchases. he is more "this looks fun" and then begins to make it all work... i'm far more calculated. i research purchases to the point of talking myself out of it...

i'm starting to feel the analysis paralysis and am not sure how to get out of that feedback loop... the more i read here, the more i think i'm in over my head in terms of foundational knowledge about the mechanical aspects of a Vanagon. a Vanagon is not the VW A2 platform i learned to wrench on.

i'm now looking at ads and picking apart the things i can't see, that aren't detailed in the ads . i'm looking at photos of engines, looking at the fuel lines, looking at the coolant hoses, the belts. the signs that the owner has maintained the Vanagon. i know what i want (in a perfect world it's a pop-top multivan)

i know why i want a Vanagon. it's not just a camper. i have a Subaru Outback and camping gear. i'm a seasoned lightweight backpacker. what i want from the Vanagon is not car camping in a tent, it's not backpacking... it's that center of a weekend in the woods. it's about the journey and connecting with my kids in a way that those other ways to enjoy the great outdoors doesn't foster.

i'm worried i'll buy a nightmare and it does the opposite of what i want, to connect with my kids and build amazing memories... even if we break down and have to figure out how to deal with it... that's part of the connecting and growing and bonding. we made it on this trip and we can look back.

but not if the Vanagon is inoperable in the driveway.

[danfromsyr]

a vanagon with a A2 1.8l digifant engine is easier than a A2 jetta to work on
and more comfortable to travel in

and just plain cooler..

yes you can put a VW Inline 4cyl into most any vanagon. the parts and knowledge are out there.
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[dabaron]

[Wildthings]

My 83 1/2 cost me all of $400 and had problems from one end to the other. It went into service immediately as both a daily driver and a travel vehicle, including long trips to Mexico and the Grand Canyon. The number of breakdowns was low and they were easily fixed, and with time I took care of the more major problems. Today a dozen years later it is a pretty decent vehicle and I have put something like 100-120K miles on the clock.

I don't keep careful track of my expenses, but including purchase price, maintenance, tires, and such, I doubt my cost have exceeded $5000 at this point. Yes, I do have a lot of labor in it.

[dobryan]

Sounds like you can do regular maintenance and then some. Just find one that is not a rusty hulk and get to work. Do not let fear hold you back. Whatever you buy will need some level of work in the near future but you know this.

I have bought my last two vanagons from Denver due to the dry bodies. And I drove them home to MD.
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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

[joetiger]

[dabaron]

[danfromsyr]

I thought you wanted to spend time traveling with your kids..
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[elizer]

All the things you are doing pre-purchase are things you should be doing when buying any used car. It is a good thing that some of the things you see are discouraging you from buying a particular van.

You seem to know what you want. Wait until you find the right one. Don't rush yourself and end up with something you don't want.

Don't resort to importing one if you don't have to. If you do end up importing (LAST RESORT) do it in person. Make it a family vacation. Inspect it yourself, familiarize yourself with the purchasing process in that country so you don't get scammed, and book a freight forwarder. I imported a van using a service recommended here and I ended up selling it for a considerable loss. PM for more information on my experience if you want to go this route.

Expand your search radius. Make a trip out of the inspection and try to book a few inspections in the same area. Even if you don't end up buying one you end up with a trip with the family and some memories.

Good luck in your search.

[dabaron]

[dabaron]

[danfromsyr]

not as powerfly satisfying as a 2.5l Subie. but the fastest easiest and best DIY approach is the ABA 2.0 from a 93-99 jetta/golf.
I'd go with the 96-99 OBD-II

of course there are pros&cons for every varied swap. the 50* ABA isn't w/o compromises. but the 115hp is actually quite enough power for eastern US highways & Byways. would only really be lacking in high altitude mtns.

I ran a 95hp 1.8l Digifant (A2) motor for years quite happily..

but the passat 1.8T is splendid.. and well you get to keep it VW that way FWIW.
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[dabaron]

[danfromsyr]

offer this guy $5k. https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/85-vanagon-pop-top/6652803034.html

the fiberglass isn't really that tough to repair..
$5k allows you to remove the roof for repair and update the canvas with a 3 window tent..


and buy a proper rear bumper..

it's been listed for 26 days at this point.

[dabaron]

[danfromsyr]

Ohh well hell... shoulda put that in the ad.. that's a $2500 camper if that for that kind of damage/bodywork. and I have a rolled over van my brother is rebuilding..

ad states fiberglass work.. shows the back little bit and omits that big ass issue..

seller needs a reality kick in the shin..
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[dabaron]

[llilibel03]

[Zeitgeist 13]

For that budget, I'd consider buying a Carat and then camperize from that basis. They have the same basic interior as the Weekenders, so just add curtains and you've got an instant camper that can be modded for a poptop or hightop at a later date and budget. Then again, your budget is also in '93 EV Weekender range, which is a far far better vehicle for the money.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[dabaron]