Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Bus or Vanagon?
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> General/Chat Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
EmberiHippie
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2023
Posts: 3
Location: Conneaut, OH
EmberiHippie is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:35 pm    Post subject: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Hey y'all...

So I hope to get some expert opinions, or at least experienced-person opinions. I'm 6'2", male, broad build, 205 pounds. My wife is 6'3", 300+ pounds, pear-shaped. (Yup, I got lucky.) We have two kids, 5yo and 3yo.

I have wanted an old-style VW Bus for about 20 years. (Had a chance to buy one for $600 in 2002 and I didn't. "Regrets, I've had a few...") When I was in college, I remember being stunned by the cavernous interior room in my friend's 1985 Vanagon. My wife and I test-drove a Bus a few years back and it did feel kind of small, but maybe they can be customized to fit taller people? I knew a guy who was 6'9" and thought it would be hilarious to drive the smallest car he could find. He bought an original Austin Mini, and messed with the seats so that he could fit. If a 6'9" dude can fit in an old Mini, surely a delightfully wide 6'3" woman can fit in an old Bus.

My older son has been on me lately... "Can we get a Volkswagen Bus?" I'm not entirely positive how or why he's fixating on this vehicle, but maybe I have focused him on it by being a little too good at the Fillmore voice... and buying that set of Maisto die-cast cars because it had a VW Bus in it... and maybe it's just that cool. I think my wife is kind of on board with the idea too.

My main concern about the Bus is safety. It seems like a tin can with very little in the name of safety features, even in the later models. I have done quite a bit of searching online to find information on safety features in the original Bus along the way, and all I've come up with is that VW started focusing on occupant safety after Ralph Nader published "Unsafe At Any Speed" in 1968 or whenever it was. I haven't been able to find crash test videos, safety specs, anything. I found a stability test video from 1965, but they made the Bus through 1979 (2013 in Brazil).

I've found crash test videos, and VW promotional videos, for the Vanagon. It seems to be a relatively well-made vehicle where safety is concerned. It seems also to have the benefit of being a bit faster, especially once they started using the Wasserboxer, and it also appears bigger.

But... it's just not the iconic Bus.

I consider myself a huge hippie, and my wife isn't far behind. My heart says Bus, but my brain says Vanagon. (I'm not yet positive how my son feels about the Vanagon.) It seems that the Vanagon has the edge in safety, while the Bus has the edge in "cool". Speed and acceleration: Vanagon. Ease of working on it: Bus. (Or am I wrong?)

I'm basically looking for reasons for my heart to like the Vanagon more, or for my brain to like the Bus more. Maybe the Vanagon is seen as being as cool as the Bus? I read that there is a whole Vanagon community, and maybe this is it. There'd have to be a Bus community too... where would I fit better? That's what I hope to find out.

Let's consider a later-model Bus, like a late-1970's American model or a Brazilian model up through 1998 (since it'd have to be 25 years old to import it into the US). Are they really deathtraps like they seem, or were there real safety improvements made along the way so that your knees might actually survive a head-on at 35 mph? I figure that any Bus that still exists never got totaled in a wreck, and also that I wouldn't be driving a Bus on the interstate. The joy is in the journey. Appeal to my brain on the Bus. (Don't worry about the older "splitties". The splitty versions I can afford are either basket cases or unattractive low-number-of-windows models, so I'd go for a later one, at least for right now.)

As for the Vanagon, appeal to my heart. Show me how it is, or could be, as hippie-cool as a Bus. I know it could be painted to look like a hippie bus. I'm sure it would carry more musical equipment (my wife and I are both musicians). Looking forward to talking VW's with some people. I actually first fixated on the VW Bug when I was 2, due to one starting up and scaring the crap out of me when I was walking behind it in a parking lot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Glenn Premium Member
Mr. 010


Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76760
Location: Sneaking up behind you
Glenn is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Vanagon people love their Vangons.

Bay Bus people love their Bay.

Split Bus people love their Split.

If you like old hippie.... get s Split.

If you like to camp and and more power... get a Bay.

If you want something more modern... get a Vanagon.

If you want modern, powerful and reliable.. get a Vanagon with a Subaru engine.

Just my opinion... others will vary.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
danfromsyr
Samba Member


Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15129
Location: Syracuse, NY
danfromsyr is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

the vanagon is superior to the Bay in every way except in 'nostalgic style'

it depends on if you are reigned by style or function..

each branch of the VW tree has it's die hard followers..
but more have jumped up from Bay to Van than from Van to Bay....

I own both and while the Bay is cute, great for the local 'scene' I'm just NOT taking it across country like I will my van.. it's not even close which is more comfortable to drive once you're in the seat for more than 30 minutes or over 55mph.

for a "full sized" family of 4 I would certainly recommend a vanagon westy/Weekender first and foremost...

but really it's all on you, what YOU plan to do with it, what YOU care about other's thinking you look like in it..

how & where are you planning to use it... and do note that's just as of right now.. once you've had one for a while your needs/plans change as quick as the kids age...

watch some family trip reports...
there's great ones in each specific forum..
most everyone makes do with what they have... but asking and lookin around 1st is always sound advice... same as a complete and thorough pre-purchase inspection... they aren't cheap and cost of ownership only goes up once you own it.
_________________
Abscate wrote:
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Glenn Premium Member
Mr. 010


Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76760
Location: Sneaking up behind you
Glenn is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

While it's not "hippie cool"... I could be talked into this:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I just couldn't justify the cost... $$$$$$


BTW, in 1963 my grandparents bought a new 63 Westy and traveled around the country for 18 months. They lived in it full time and finally settled in San Diego.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Abscate Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22573
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
Abscate is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

The Vanagon or T3 is the first Bus made with modern manfacturing methods , which does is to the longevity vs the Bay.

It’s cooler than either a Bay or a Solit because it’s reliable
_________________
.ssS!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
busman78
Samba Member


Joined: August 17, 2004
Posts: 4518
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
busman78 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 7:04 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

I am the same build as you, very hard time seeing out of a split without being hunched over, own now and have owned lots of bay's, like the fit and the ride, never had a Vanagon.

Go to a show and maybe a few split owners will allow you to do a test fit sit.

For Abscate, reliability has nothing to do with cool. The only cool Vanagons have going for them is on the inside with the AC on.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
steve244
Samba Member


Joined: March 18, 2022
Posts: 1644
Location: GA
steve244 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:28 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Yeah but don't you want the 911 of vans?

Quote:
What we have here is the Porsche 911 of vans. The Vanagon goes down the road with a car-like assuredness that's never existed in vehicles of this type before. Once you get used to being seated a couple of stories above the pavement, you can slice through twisty roads with abandon. Its steering is amply quick, and even has plenty of road feel and a strong sense of center. Bumps, even in the middle of corners, don't have a prayer of deflecting the Vanagon off course.


giggle.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32437946/tested-1980-volkswagen-vanagon-l/
_________________
82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf Twisted Evil
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Glenn Premium Member
Mr. 010


Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76760
Location: Sneaking up behind you
Glenn is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:39 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

steve244 wrote:
Yeah but don't you want the 911 of vans?

Quote:
What we have here is the Porsche 911 of vans. The Vanagon goes down the road with a car-like assuredness that's never existed in vehicles of this type before. Once you get used to being seated a couple of stories above the pavement, you can slice through twisty roads with abandon. Its steering is amply quick, and even has plenty of road feel and a strong sense of center. Bumps, even in the middle of corners, don't have a prayer of deflecting the Vanagon off course.


giggle.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32437946/tested-1980-volkswagen-vanagon-l/

No this is.. the B32
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the-porsche-b32-i...w-existed/

Quote:
The Porsche B32 Is The Coolest 911-Engined Van You Never Knew Existed


But if you want Hippie Cool and fast, then...
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.






Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
PatJr
Samba Member


Joined: August 09, 2010
Posts: 201
Location: earth
PatJr is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:49 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Glenn wrote:

But if you want Hippie Cool and fast, then...


Thumbs Up
_________________
#############################################
1970 Transporter a orange one
#############################################
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
PatJr
Samba Member


Joined: August 09, 2010
Posts: 201
Location: earth
PatJr is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:53 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

EmberiHippie wrote:

My main concern about the Bus is safety.


maybe a Sprinter would suit your needs better?

These VW busses are more like a car/hobby all in one. I haven't ever owned one but I think the Vanogon would be closest to what would tick the boxes for you.
imho
_________________
#############################################
1970 Transporter a orange one
#############################################
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Glenn Premium Member
Mr. 010


Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76760
Location: Sneaking up behind you
Glenn is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:58 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

If you want safe, then you want a modern vehicle.

Got hit by a 60,000# garbage truck and pushed into a F150 at a light... I walked away. Not sure the result would of been the same if I were in a Vanagon/Bay/Split.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
EmberiHippie
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2023
Posts: 3
Location: Conneaut, OH
EmberiHippie is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 11:24 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Thanks for your replies. I know that if I had a Bus, I wouldn't take it on the interstate. It seems that, like a bicycle, the joy is in the journey. Frankly, there are times when I wish I could find joy in my journeys. Right now I drive a 2008 Toyota Sienna, and while it still gets me reliably where I want to go at almost 227,000 miles, I just don't think it'd be the same if I were to do it up like a hippie van. Somehow the flower children of the late '60s and early '70s were able to take a few-year-old VW Bus and make it look super cool. I don't see how a few-year-old anything could be a viable hippie-cool vehicle these days. (The closest any vehicle could come would be a Prius, or a real school bus.)

Did the (Type 2) Bus get away with being a death trap in its time because vehicles generally moved slower? The only knowledge I have of speed limits from the '60s is a line from a documentary movie where Neal Cassady said, "Welcome to New Jersey, speed 50!" Even before the maximum speed limit was set at 55 in 1974 or whenever, I imagine that there were few to no roads that had a speed limit of 70. A lot of cars couldn't comfortably do 70 in those days. (My dad had a 1982 Chevette that could never top 69. We always joked that it'd blow up if it reached 70.)

So I wouldn't expect to have to take a 70 mph head-on in a Bus.

I really wish there were a way for me to rent these vehicles for a day or two, so that I could see what it'd be like to own them. Any of y'all know anything about services, preferably in or around Northeast Ohio, that rent out such vehicles?

And what do y'all know of the difference in the "Bus" and "Vanagon" communities of people? I will confess to trying to find "my tribe", and it sure ain't easy. I'm as anti-establishment as they get, and part of me has a strong desire to flaunt that as often as I can get away with flaunting it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Bonesberg55
Samba Member


Joined: January 18, 2012
Posts: 1271

Bonesberg55 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 11:34 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

I've had a '63 23 window Samba, a '71 Bay Window, & currently a '78 Bay Window. I'm 6'-2"+ and have never felt cramped in any of them. As far as safety, I would say that there is zilch in a front end collision although I have never been in one. I usually take back roads anyway.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Xevin Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7599

Xevin is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 11:50 am    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

I’ve got a few different Type2s. I’m 6’1 250lbs. My wife and I fit in them just fine. I’ll comment more when I have time.

76 Westfalia camper
72 Campmobile
85 Weekender
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I hang out with people that drive all styles of Type2s. All different lifestyles and backgrounds.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Keep on Busin'
67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Very Happy

Clatter wrote:
Damn that Xevin... Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:
I respect Xevin and he's a turd Razz

SGKent wrote:
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Glenn Premium Member
Mr. 010


Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76760
Location: Sneaking up behind you
Glenn is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 12:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

EmberiHippie wrote:
I know that if I had a Bus, I wouldn't take it on the interstate.

Don't be afraid, just be careful.

Cross Bronx Expressway... i survived Wink
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
steve244
Samba Member


Joined: March 18, 2022
Posts: 1644
Location: GA
steve244 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Glenn wrote:
steve244 wrote:
Yeah but don't you want the 911 of vans?

Quote:
What we have here is the Porsche 911 of vans. The Vanagon goes down the road with a car-like assuredness that's never existed in vehicles of this type before. Once you get used to being seated a couple of stories above the pavement, you can slice through twisty roads with abandon. Its steering is amply quick, and even has plenty of road feel and a strong sense of center. Bumps, even in the middle of corners, don't have a prayer of deflecting the Vanagon off course.


giggle.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32437946/tested-1980-volkswagen-vanagon-l/

No this is.. the B32
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the-porsche-b32-i...w-existed/

Quote:
The Porsche B32 Is The Coolest 911-Engined Van You Never Knew Existed


But if you want Hippie Cool and fast, then...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


yeah but do buses have a song?


Link

_________________
82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf Twisted Evil
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
my59
Samba Member


Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3781
Location: connecting the dots
my59 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 2:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Bought the '79 thirteen years ago as we did not have a vehicle large enough to accomodate 2 adults, 2 boys, old school snare and bass drum and drum corps uniforms. Boys were in fife and drum corps, and we needed to get to parades. I saw it as an opportunity to avoid buying a minivan, my wife was a sport, and the boys thought it was flat out cool.
We've taken it from CT to Yorktown VA, Topsail Island NC, Bennington VT, and now with no one in fife and drum it's main duty is get us to Eastham MA in the summer.
On I95 we are in the slow lane at 60, 65, and the drive sucks as I am hyper tuned in situational awareness. Taking backroads is the way to go. Still hyper aware, but at 50 it is easier.
The major issue is people see the bus and think nothing of pulling out in front, cause somehow it's assumed busses are slow.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Bonesberg55
Samba Member


Joined: January 18, 2012
Posts: 1271

Bonesberg55 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 3:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

"Cause somehow it's assumed busses are slow."

They are!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
my59
Samba Member


Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3781
Location: connecting the dots
my59 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:29 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

Bonesberg55 wrote:
"Cause somehow it's assumed busses are slow."

They are!


They are, but the perception is often way wrong when some dumb ass sees you as 35 mph cause every one knows old VW's are slow while your real approach speed is more like 50.

Thus the situational awareness needed, despite the bright green and white color scheme that some have claimed was invisible "I didn't see you" paint
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VWAdam
Samba Member


Joined: February 14, 2002
Posts: 3330
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
VWAdam is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Bus or Vanagon? Reply with quote

EmberiHippie wrote:
Thanks for your replies. I know that if I had a Bus, I wouldn't take it on the interstate. It seems that, like a bicycle, the joy is in the journey. Frankly, there are times when I wish I could find joy in my journeys. Right now I drive a 2008 Toyota Sienna, and while it still gets me reliably where I want to go at almost 227,000 miles, I just don't think it'd be the same if I were to do it up like a hippie van. Somehow the flower children of the late '60s and early '70s were able to take a few-year-old VW Bus and make it look super cool. I don't see how a few-year-old anything could be a viable hippie-cool vehicle these days. (The closest any vehicle could come would be a Prius, or a real school bus.)

Did the (Type 2) Bus get away with being a death trap in its time because vehicles generally moved slower? The only knowledge I have of speed limits from the '60s is a line from a documentary movie where Neal Cassady said, "Welcome to New Jersey, speed 50!" Even before the maximum speed limit was set at 55 in 1974 or whenever, I imagine that there were few to no roads that had a speed limit of 70. A lot of cars couldn't comfortably do 70 in those days. (My dad had a 1982 Chevette that could never top 69. We always joked that it'd blow up if it reached 70.)

So I wouldn't expect to have to take a 70 mph head-on in a Bus.

I really wish there were a way for me to rent these vehicles for a day or two, so that I could see what it'd be like to own them. Any of y'all know anything about services, preferably in or around Northeast Ohio, that rent out such vehicles?

And what do y'all know of the difference in the "Bus" and "Vanagon" communities of people? I will confess to trying to find "my tribe", and it sure ain't easy. I'm as anti-establishment as they get, and part of me has a strong desire to flaunt that as often as I can get away with flaunting it.


If you build it to go 70, it will go 70.
I drive mine on long trips, often mostly interstate. 1600 sp with mild cam and IRS setup with trans from a '71 Super and it will sit at 70 all day long, maybe aside from steep grades.
As far as safety, I view it like a motorcycle. I'm out there, right in front and I am my best defense. I upgraded to discs and stay aware.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.

'59 Euro Beetle ragtop
'63 Standard Microbus

Come to my show! www.volksjam.com

Looking for badge/sticker/frame from Western Motors in Great Falls, Montana
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> General/Chat All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.