HI there, I am looking at buying a Kombi, and have to admit i have no idea what ia m looking for or at. I have looked at one last night which was a 74 (i think) and it was pretty rough inside and out. I would just love to know what problems i should look out for etc. Also is there any books on Kombi's that would help me out with this information? Please help? Thanks:sandrine

when buying your first kombi, look to spend around the 5-6k mark, that will get you a good, but not great, late bay window kombi (1974 and above) that should only require servicing, and only experience the tiniest of niggly problems.

look out for rust, especially in the floor, and dont buy a kombi that has just been painted, especially if it looks like its been done at home. i know a lot of people do this right and cut all rust out, but i have been stung with a cheap easy paint job and now i have rust in places i dont want it to be (ouch!).

also, make sure that the engine and gearbox are strong, this is easily done with a test drive, and maybe even ask the seller if he's willing to take a compression test or engine check. find out when it was last serviced by a reputable VW mechanic (if i knew your location i could maybe locate one close to you) if there are any unfamiliar noises or movements, it is like that they have been thrashed a bit.

interior? pfft! making your own new interior is fun and easy to do with a bit of ingenuity and a spotlight VIP card, if it looks tatty, rip it out and make some more with fun coulours, fake fur, and any other F's you can think of!

lunch break is up. will come back with more.

welcome to the forum, and try n find out as much info as possible. before you buy one..

Thanks so much, already been sooo helpful!! it is just so confusing. The one i looked at was only $3000, and i would be happy to pay around 5 or 6 if i knew i was getting a fairly decent car. I see your point about the inerior, and now am dreaming of all of these fun things i can do to it with fur and stuff like that! I live in Brissie, if that helps with the mechanics location and stuff. i am looking at another one this weekend which looks pretty neat in photo's but i suspect it could be a home paint job like you mentioned. I guess i am just sooo excited at the prospect of getting one that i need to make sure i don't go out and buy one straight away and get suckered over. Luckily i have my b/f who is a motor body builder so he is pretty clued on and logic and can slap me out of my state of bliss when i am looking! anything extra you can help with would be super. Cheers.

welcome to the forum hope you lot's fun looking for you Kombi and driving it when you get one.what location are eg Brisbane , Sydney so that we can look out for a Kombi for you to look at.

Marc & Kathy

Brissie, sunny old brissie!!!

a helpful hint to find rust under paint is to bring a fridge magnet with you and stick it to places on the car... if it falls off, rust has been cut out and replaced with 'bog' a hard setting putty. it works, but its not perfect.

also, look for a car that has all receipts for the work done with it, so you know what has been done where, why, how and by whom.

brisbane... hmm talk to buggy brad, forum administrator, he's up your way and should know a decent mechanic or two

just look for rust and bad engines, run them for a good 30 mins and then see if you can toutch the oil cos if it burns its runin hot- u aint buyin dat 1, and yer just look for the typical backyard mechanics kombi which are dodgy...

Welcome to the forum. You can check on http://www.carsales.com.au  for private sales as there are ussually some in there and priced reasonably.
One thing to consider is how much you have to spend and how much you want to spend + how much time you have to do what you want to do for your personal touch.
Sometimes you could be lucky and someone who knows or owns a Kombi may live close by and be willing to look at it with you - yajustgottaask