vanagon's best year quality-wise?

[dirk_calloway]

hi there,

i am new to this forum, but I have been following it for some time now. I love old VW bugs and busses and I'm considering buying one for my wife and I to have as a second car to kick around town in. (and occasional out of town trips)

I am mainly interested in a bus and was wondering....

Does anyone have any specific opinions on WHAT YEAR IS BEST? The vanagons? The 70's westy's? I would imagine a vanagon from the 80's would be less quirky than a bus from the 70's...but alas, I have no earthly clue.

Any help or insight would be very much appreciated! thanks so much.

[earthmuffin]

When asking such a loaded question as this, you have to remember that opinions are like bottoms (changed to protect the forum prudes ), everyone has got one and they all stink !
With that said, I would do some research on some informational websites and make an educated decision for yourself based on fact and not opinion.
I don't discriminate against any bay window or vanagon.
They all have their distinct advantages and disadvantages.
When you look for a van/bus, compare costs, comforts, features, reliability, and driveability.
It is hard to compare a 68 westy to an 87 carat.
Here is some sites that might get you started.
www.vanagon.com
www.type2.com
http://homepage.mac.com/ratwell/
Scope these out and check the links pages on these sites also.
Hope this confuses........errr.........I mean helps you out.
_________________
This thread SUCKS!!!

[weinerwagen]

ONLY my humble opinion, is the 90 and 91 Vanagon
they got the kinks worked out

but of couse my 83 is bette than the 84 water boxer, my 83 diesel is better than the 82

my 80 air cooled is better than the 81 Westie

[Rome]

Dirk, here is my experience with and opinion on Vanagons.

4 years ago I was looking for a type 2 to replace my old utility car, a '80 Dasher diesel (RIP when the timing belt broke). I wanted a '71 T2 (non-camper) as I felt I could build a strong stroker type 1 engine and have disc brakes. I found a few and test drove one or two here in the NorthEast but none were just right. then I found a '83 Vanagon (aircooled) only a few towns away for real cheap. After 100 feet on the road I was amazed at how civilized it felt with its driveability compared to the '70's type 2s, and how "finished' its dashboard looked. I did buy that one. The engine leaked oil bad (1 qt every 50 miles) so I yanked the engine but have not yet rebuilt it. Before I pulled the engine I had a useful summer out of it, towing a Beetle on the highway, loading 4x8's thru the 53" wide rear hatch- something you cannot do on the BayWindows, I think. So for a sophisticated ride, look to the Vanagons. The later, the better, as argued above. I also installed a GeneBerg short shift kit- very worthwhile.