From: eldred@rrunner.jpl.nasa.gov (Dan Eldred)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
Subject: Re: Recommendation Needed for VW Van Purchase
Date: 8 Oct 92 03:54:18 GMT
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

In article <1992Oct7.091156.4532@bb1t.monsanto.com> bjgaed@bb1t.monsanto.com writes:
>In article <1assemINNhg0@agate.berkeley.edu>, ferenc@hera.Berkeley.EDU (Ferenc Kovac) writes:
>> Hello.
>> I am interested in purchasing a VW van for commute usage, primarily.
>> Camping and family outings would be a nice bonus, but I don't think
>> I need to haul a stove, frig, sink, etc. most of the time.
>> What I would like is some experienced useful advice on what models/years
>> to stay away from and also which to seek.
>
>Simplest to maintain is the single carb. engine.  A 1600 with dual 
>port manifold should give you plenty of power as long as you don't 
>want to go up a mountain at 70 mph.  
>
>I worked a little on a friend's dual carb back in the mid-70's and 
>didn't like it.  The extra power was not worth the extra hassle, IMO.
>
>Front disc brakes (starting in early '70's) are a big plus.
>
>Look for one with a *good* trans.
>
>> The only other prerequisites are my initial figure of <$10k cost
>> and high back seats.

IMO the '71 is the only good non-fuel injected bus, on account of the
Type 1 engine, disk brakes, and IRS suspension.  I would worry more about
the body being in good shape on a car this old than the condition of mechanical
parts (e.g. engine, transmission), as the mechanical parts are easily
replaced for relatively little money.  In particular, get one without
rust (look under the floor mats, in the wheel wells, and under the side
panels, and around the rear seat belt mounts).  I had a '71 from 60k miles
to about 180k miles.  My main complaints were lousy handling in crosswinds,
lack of power, and engine noise.

If you want the old style bus, go with a '78 or '79, as most of the bugs
with the 411 type engine and the fuel injection were worked out by then.
You also get hydraulic lifters and sodium cooled valves.  I agree with
Ferenc to stay away from the dual carbs used on '72 through around '74--
they're too much trouble.

I have a '80 Vanagon with 155k miles, which I bought at 90k miles.  It's
been pretty good, the engine still works ok (though consumes a lot of oil
and leaks quite a bit too), the only major repair being some clutch work.
I've had to repair a number of irritating, niggly little things, though,
such as both clutch and brake master cylinders, the fuel pump, and the horn,
among others.  The handling is much better than the old style bus, it's quieter,
and it's significantly bigger inside without being bigger outside.  The
engine is also a 411 type engine with different heads, so parts are available
for it, though at about 3X the cost of a Type 1 engine.  However, I was
disappointed that the heater doesn't work any better than the older busses,
and the heater controls are really wierd.

From what I have heard, the early water cooled Vanagons ('83 on) had all
sorts of problems with overheating, water pump failures, and water leaks.
So unless you get better information, I would stay away from at least the
early waterboxer Vanagons.  Also engine work on these must be astronomically
expensive, as this is the only car this engine is used on, and this car
isn't very common.

	- Dan 	eldred@rrunner.jpl.nasa.gov
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw