Just kicking tyres at the mo but if anyone has general comments on the above vehicle type I would be interested in hearing / reading them, good bad or otherwise. Best / worst years, rust probs, mechanicals etc.
Thanks
Don

Don't get an automatic.

I don't know the specific issues, just that they are expensive to repair and they have problems. Jon in Townsville had to get the auto in his T4 VR6 Caravelle rebuilt.

Volkswagen used a few Italian-made electrical components in their models in mid-90s, which do cause a few problems. Golf 3s of that era often had problems with their crank angle sensors, power supply relays and ignition switches, as well as their power windows. Transporters/Caravelles often had the same issues. But they're not a difficult replacement for a good Volkswagen workshop, and my guy Ron at C&S Auto (Padstow) usually replaces them as a matter of course.

The autos work well if they have been correctly maintained and serviced, but who knows what previous owners have done over the last 20 years of life. VW autos of that era usually start to go wrong with a whirring whining noise at at most engine speeds. If repplacing the fluid doesn't fix it, then yes it usually isn't worth the expense of repairing it, which will usually cost more than the car is worth. If you find a good auto T4 Caravelle, take it for a test drive and listen carefully. If it works fine and is quiet, it ought to be fine. Have it serviced regularly at a reputable Volkswagen enthusiast workshop, not at K-Mart auto. My brother has had his 1995 5-cylinder T4 Caravelle (manual) for over 10 years; his kids grew up in it. He loves it.

Australian T4 Caravelles from 1993 were fitted with the 81 kW 5-cylinder engine. This gives excellent performance compared to the old rear-engined Microbuses, and even sounds like a baby Audi quattro! From 1997 the Caravelle was upgraded further to differentiate it from the rest of the Transporter range. It got a different nose and grille, 'plus' suspension, rear disc brakes and the option of a 103 kW VR6 engine or a 2.4 diesel. You could also get syncro 4WD.

I had a panel '98 T4 5 cyl diesel non turbo for about 4 years
a bit of a snail but did everything I needed n towed ok too but just not up hills, a mate bought it off me and it is still powering on n on n on
if you get a diesel get a tdi
happy days

My brother had a T4 2.5TDi auto and it spent more time in the workshop than on the road.

As reported the auto was the cause every time.

Rebuilt twice under warranty and twice out of warranty until he gave up and traded it in on a T4 TDi manual which worked great until he smashed it and bought a T5.5TDI manual.

The manuals are a strong gearbox especially those made to handle the TDi torque.