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Subject: "Vanagon - good or bad?"
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morrisseyscoot
Member since Oct-26-03
786 posts |
Jul-14-04, 11:12 PM (EDT) |
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"Vanagon - good or bad?"
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I know at least a few scooterists have Vanagons. Do you like them? Have you had good times with them? I am thinking of saving my pennies and buying one, or selling my Super Beetle and getting one. I have heard many mixed reviews of the Vanagon ownership experience - some say they catch on fire, some say they're the best. What gas consumption do you get? What scooters can fit? How comfy is it to sleep in one with the bed in the back? How much should I pay for one in Central NY? Should I avoid the diesels and aircooled ones? What engine conversions are the best? What eighties earth tone color will compliment my eyes the most? How can I get a single cab or double cab one into NY? What models should I look for? Can the syncros really outclimb Hummers? Do they have good locks so when they break down they can just be used as secure scooter storage? Is a Westy much better than a GL? Would I be better off with a different VW model (Can you fit a scooter in a New Beetle? Should I just get a Golf?).thanks m. ----- 
http://scoot.net/faq/Vespa
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Chris Ramsey
Member since Jun-3-03
237 posts |
Jul-15-04, 08:35 AM (EDT) |
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1. "RE: Vanagon - good or bad?"
In response to message #0
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Hi there, I have an '87 Westy and love it. I was previously an aircooled guy, had no intention of getting a Vanagon as I had heard many of the same things--stumbled on a great deal and picked it up, generally I haven't regretted it. Here's the good:
-A bit bigger than older bay windows and splitties.
-More power (still no speed demon, but getting on the highway is smooth which is the key.)
-Heat that works.
-Camping-wise it is cush compared to the '71 Westy that I had. Here's the 'bad':
-They are a bit quirky, and seem to pretty consistently need something or other done/fixed.
-Related to that, I don't know if I would want one as my daily driver.
-Related to the 'mod cons' of it, not always as easy to work on as an older air cooled. I have to take it to the mechanic for more things than I did with the older ones.
-Parts are available, but can sometimes be a pain to get or a bit expensive. Tires in particular (needs a light truck tire in 14").
-Not always easy to find a mechanic that is familiar/competent with Vanagons. Having said that:
-As I say above, I love mine.
-Unless you are into camping/plan to do so I would not buy a Westy.
-In my opinion the Wolfsburg Weekender setup is super cool--pop top and fold down table & bed inside, but none of the heavy kitchen equipment/cabinets.
-Gas mileage in my Westy averages about 18-20. A non-Westy would do a better due to less weight.
-I know that I couldn't reasonably (i.e. without damaging anything)fit a scoot inside my Westy. My guess is that you could fit 1 in a passenger type. You can put on a hitch and pull a small trailer.
-I've considered going to an aircooled Vanagon with idea being getting back to somewhat simpler (i.e. maybe I can fix more). Prob I see with these is they are a bit more underpowered (esp. a Westy).
-Word is that the 1.9 engines (83.5-85) can actually be chipped or something to get a bit more power than the 2.1s.
-Many people with the diesels swear by them, but they are slow.
-Conversion wise, some swear by Suburu, others are putting VW 1.8Ts into them, and recently I'm hearing about the VW TDI motor.
-Sychros kick ass, but the parts availability/cost & maintenance needs are apparently even higher. Things to watch for:
-In the east, obviously rust. They are prone to "seam rust".
-If you go watercooled, they are prone to headgasket leaks. Try to find one that has been fixed and/or one that the owner has always run the correct "blue" coolant.
-Replace the fuel lines immediately (old/cracked lines is the cause of the fires) they are 20+ years old. Sources:
www.vanagon.com
www.westfalia.org
www.busdepot.com
www.vanagain.com Good luck,
Chris |
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morrisseyscoot
Member since Oct-26-03
786 posts |
Jul-15-04, 06:05 PM (EDT) |
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2. "RE: Vanagon - good or bad?"
In response to message #1
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Hey Chris
thanks so much for the info. I didn't realize that the Wolfsburg Weekender was a different model than the Westy. That sounds like a good one to have. Good to know about the fuel line issue too. What ones are best to buy to convert their engines? Hmmm I am getting more and more into the idea by the day. Thanks again.mike -----
http://scoot.net/faq/Vespa
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Chris Ramsey
Member since Jun-3-03
237 posts |
Jul-16-04, 09:25 AM (EDT) |
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3. "RE: Vanagon - good or bad?"
In response to message #2
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I really don't know all that much about conversions. However, I believe that it can be done to pretty much any of them, or at least to any of the watercooled ones. Not all that many substantial differences between the various years other than engine size and ecu systems. Also, to clarify there may be both Weekenders and Wolfsburg Weekenders--I don't know whether or not there are any differences between them. I really dig the concept of these though-you get some of the best features of the Westy (poptop & bed), but without the weight, and with more room. Owners of them seem to swear by them, even for camping--basically just bring along a campstove, water container & icebox and do all the associated outside. The Westy fixtures are super handy when in use, but many never/rarely use them. A great place for info is the Vanagon Mailing List, very active traffic. There is info on this on vanagon.com. I have lurked there for a while. See ya,
Chris |
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Chris Ramsey
Member since Jun-3-03
237 posts |
Jul-31-04, 01:47 AM (EDT) |
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4. "RE: Vanagon - good or bad?"
In response to message #3
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Sprunch66
Member since Mar-11-04
418 posts |
Aug-30-04, 05:00 PM (EDT) |
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5. "RE: Vanagon - good or bad?"
In response to message #4
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and Mike you already have an in at a Dealership. ME!!! 74 Rally 200
66 Blue Badge Sprint150
64 Li125 w200
63 VNB $300.00 'Barn'find
Sarcastic Bastards S. C. |
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