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posted on September 7th, 2006 at 01:22 AM
VW Advice. (Idea's,Suggestions etc)
Greetz,
Better get it out of my system. (not knowing much about the VW)
Was looking at buying a kombi (yes, Byron bay warped my mind - and the dream of an "endless summer" is on the wish list)
Thought better tune in, and find out what the experts think and to gain some info on what I am looking at realistically.
Having joining a couple VW forums, I have been more than impressed with what I have seen and read.
So that being said, Currently I am searching for a Kombi, and I am not sure which way to go, there was a great one on ebay a few weeks ago for $4k but
missed out (needed tune/carbs)
I like the idea of having a pop top for extra room and the travel concept,
(1) I am lead to believe that any form of VW comes in two variety's (a).. Perfect no hassles and (b) always hassles always spending money.
In your experience is this the case (I realise that all cars cost money)
(2) In VW land, is there a particular model that is/was know for its reliability, and also what particular model is regarded as the "holy grail"
Having perused this forum, some of these older split window kombis look awesome, and I have been thinking about either scrapping the purchase of a
pop-top and buying one. Haven never seen inside one
(3) how viable would this be to travelling? those with them, do you find the lack of head room a problem, or are they mainly just used as people
movers/cruisers.
what are some of the differences between the "bay" and the "splitty" regarding dimensions (inside)
the reality is the "endless summer" wish may never happen or it might and I am trying to determine which way to go that is to say, just by looking
at the pics, the older models look amazing, but if the trip did eventuate then perhaps a pop-top would have been better, on the other hand, if it does
not come about, then the older model would be a treat to own.
(4) Engines - would it be fair to say, that water cooled would be the preferable choice for "a trip", do the oil/air cooled often overheat
(obviously any car can given certain variables) but in general year round how do they go?
Sorry for the newb and highly subjective questions, but really after some idea's which might lead me in the right direction
bugeyedbabe
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posted on September 7th, 2006 at 01:43 AM
hi zigg33
i dont own a kombi, and so i am not speaking from experience...but here goes with what i know.
All VW's come as a)perfect rebuild by others with no hassles (u spend money in the purchase) or b) less upfront, but more in time getting them to
work/cleaned up. this is all vw.s beetles kombies everything.
so the starting point really becomes more like this:
1) what skills do I have NOW. Welding mechanics interior painting?
2) what can I learn
3) how much time do I have before it NEEDS to go to the road...or is it a project that can take years...(lot can n often do)
4) what do I prefer...neat interior bad ride...nice exterior crap interior ok ride....perfect ride, but rat look inside n out.
5) How much money do I have now, and how much can I afford to spend along the way?
Once U knwo these...U begin to get an idea of where u really begin.
Pop tops are good...If u need interior height for long periods of time. U only really have them up when ur camping...U shouldnt have them up when ur
driving. I know...simple..but im assuming ur 'really new' So, if ur contemplating a pop top..the question becomes How much time am I gunna be
parked at a campsite?
Split vw Bay...
This one is personal. Really. As with most cars...improvements to rides occur as the car are newer. The bays are the younger vehicle, and so it
becomes reasonable to assume that they woudl have the better ride...unless u change some mechanics on the spiltty. They are also, on average, cheaper
to purchase, because at this point, there are more on the market than splitties.
The splitties can be expensive to buy, but hey...u can open the front windows. They have a large following, and now, with more shops catering for
them, the parts have come down in price...compared to a few years back.
As for going watercooled over air? Well...alot of ppl would suggest that maybe sticking to air, if ur a novice, is prolly better. I think, no
matter which car it is...once u start to muck around with changing components u need to either be.
1) confident and well informed of things, shoudl anything go wrong on the roadside.
2) have the mechaniccs number handy.
However, having said all that...it still comes back to time and skills. How much time do u have to learn new skills. If the answer is heaps of
time...then go with buy what takes ur fancy...pace ur self so ur NOT missing out on time with family and friends... and also so ur pocket isnt
empty al the time (just a big part of it..lol) and read heaps of manuals becoem u undertake any tasks...such as moding the engines.
As for what is the holy grail....different ppl have different opinions....
So take ur time...look around...if ur not sure what ur looking at is a great buy, ask another vwdubber to go with u....(just hollar for help, they're
pretty good..and it could save u thousands (thank u seagull I will never forget ur help!) and when u finally get the van, and need help...just hollar
again. oh, and have a six pack on ice, and snags on the bbq....
just remembered as well...where are u?
helps if we know we u are...so we can direct you to clubs etc in ur area...mechanics who can help (some have alot of cars for sale on business boards
inside the shops) as well as other members in the area.
also...u could try the busstop, and kombiclub...as well as dsk sites. they all specialise in kombis.
And kombi rescue. They exist on mid coast of NSW, and drive to rescue kombis and keep them in aust. Depending on how quickly u want one etc...they
may also be able to help u. Here in Brissy...if u have a chance, Micks Motors usually have oneor two adverise for his clients on hsi boards in the
shop.
[ Edited on 6-9-2006 by bugeyedbabe ]
dubless. And who the helled parked the Mitsubishi "Prancer" under my
house???
z1gg33
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posted on September 7th, 2006 at 04:00 AM
Top response.
Ok, yeah I hear what your saying...
I have between beginner to medium skills set mechanically (that is to say) I have worked on roadbikes and learnt allot from the experince, I have
advance skills in "giving it a go" (does that count ), paint wise well
I have tried and had some success although it was not great but hey old work ute did not need a show finish. The only thing that i lack plenty of is
patience (I am no doctor) so perhaps buying one would be the G.O.
Sorry I assumed (wrongly) that there might in deed be a sort after model, much like 55-57 chev, 66 GTO etc etc and understand personal choice here.
I am down the great ocean road in victoria and have recenetly taken time
off so I have some time to spend , money is somewhat tight at the moment,
but I am so ill informed that at this stage I doubt I would make a purchase without the correct knowledge. I would have bought that kombi off ebay as
it was just so nice... one thing I forgot to ask was the year... so I'll post this pic and hopefully someone may be able to tell me
Thanks again for your input...
If anyone has any work in the byron area, have skills will work
ps... BTW my brother works for a b33r company, so any help would be well catered for
And who the helled parked the Mitsubishi "Prancer" under my
house??? 
), paint wise well
I have tried and had some success although it was not great but hey old work ute did not need a show finish. The only thing that i lack plenty of is
patience (I am no doctor) so perhaps buying one would be the G.O.
and understand personal choice here.
