| [ Total Views: 805 | Total Replies: 13 | Thread Id: 8626 ] |
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 rice_girl
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| posted on July 20th, 2003 at 09:21 PM |
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Kombi help needed !!
Ok, I am a newb when it comes to kombis but I'm hoping to learn along the way so plz bare with me Basically, I'm looking at buying a kombi for a bit of weekend fun and some time down the track a bigger
road trip... i'm not expecting much for the amount of money i'm wanting to spend (approx 1k) but am intending on having the engine
reconditioned, body spifffied up and resprayd and redo all the interior anyway...
The kombi I have i mind seems to be perfect for my intentions (it is 900$, brand spankin tyres, straight body etc) altho the guy has told us that the
gaskets need to be replaced. Just wondering how much this would cost and how big a job it would be or. Also, it is a 1973 model and I'm pretty
sure he said it was a dual carb so am wondering whether it is a 1.6,1.8, or2 ? cheers
[Edited on 20-7-2003 by rice_girl] |
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Split nut
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| posted on July 20th, 2003 at 09:30 PM |
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Kombis
My advice would be to get one already done. If you buy one that's been done properly, you will pay alot more initially, but it will be less in
the end. Make sure you take it to someone that knows what they're talking about to give an honest opinion about the car before you buy it.
Don't take it to someone that may have an interest in the car. The problem with kombis is that there could be many underlying problems
especially for new players.
That aside, good luck. Just realise, once you've got one, you'll never let it go and you'll only want more and more. So start
saving!!!!!!!!!
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amazer
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| posted on July 20th, 2003 at 10:53 PM |
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1973 is tricky to guess engine size.
Its possible that it is 1600 from factory but aftermarket twin carbs put on. But it could also have be any size as the 1700, 1800, 2000 all are
basically the same engine and parts swap over. 1700's are usually rebuilt as 1800's but either could be made to 2000. If you can get the
engine number I can tell you what it was originally.
Personally I wouldnt buy a 1600 one. I dont think the engines are strong enough to pull all that weight. No engine rebuild will be cheap. A workshop
will probably hit your for $4000ish for a rebuild of the 1700-2000 variety.
I'll give you a quick rust checklist.
along the bottom of the front panel. around every window, especially under the side quarter vents.
around the roof gutters especially at the back corners.
Bottoms of the doors (not just the visible bit, lie on the ground and look up)
Lift the mats in the front.
The steps to get in the front. If they have plastic on them then lift it up.
at the back look down near the bumper. towards the ends where there is a body seam.
Aaaaand all the way along the sill panels ei the bottoms of both sides.
If there is no rust in these places then "I" say it is worth maybe 3 to 4 thousand!
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
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amazer
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| posted on July 20th, 2003 at 11:06 PM |
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Mechanically... if the engine is sound then on top of your rust free $4K car then it takes the total to $5500 - $6000. Have you driven it? There are
lots of VW's out there with shocking gearboxes. You may be lucky and find a bad gearshift is just a matter of replacing some cheap plastic
bushes. Then if all the window and door rubbers are good add another $1000. It cost me $1300 to replace every rubber in my kombi 10 years ago.
A good kombi is NOT a cheap car. I would pay (if I had the money) 8 or 9 thousand for a good kombi with nothing to spend. I know it would cost me
possibly twice that to restore one.
A kombi is awesome though. Nothing compares. When you travel down a highway watching it roll under the windscreen, you are getting waves from just
about every other kombi on the road, it just feels so good. I love mine, even though it is a bashed and beaten tired old warrior.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
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lugnuts
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 02:45 AM |
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$900 ,can you say in a clint eastwood voice,DO I FEEL LUCKY WELL DO YA P__K,anyway just kidden,welcome rice_girl.Spend some money on an inspection
PLEASE:o |
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Purple Martin
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 08:52 AM |
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Good luck rice girl! Kombis rule!!!
Another very important place to check for rust: the battery trays (the flat bits either side of the motor, underneath where the air vents come donw
to).
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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KruizinKombi
A.k.a.: Col
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 10:14 AM |
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Welcome to the forum rice_girl. :thumb
For $900 you can't really go too wrong. Whatever is wrong with it, it would still have to be worth $900 in parts alone.
I'm a bit undecided on the best way to buy a car: start with a cheapie and build it up, or pay the extra for something already done?
The fact is, you will never really know what is beneath the surface. I ran a compression test on my kombi before I bought it (2 years ago) and was
very happy with the results, yet during my current engine rebuild I discovered that EVERYTHING in the motor needed reconditioning (ie. more than 2
years worth of wear). I think there is a very good argument for starting with a cheapie and having the work done yourself, because then you actually
know what has been done. You can never tell otherwise how many shortcuts have been taken. I know it costs twice as much, but at least you have the
satisfaction of knowing exactly what condition your vehicle is in.
With the $900 kombi you are looking at; it could be that the gaskets that need replacing are actually only the pushrod tube 'O'-rings, which
is a relatively easy job in a motor of the 1700-1800-2000 variety.
I suggest you take a chance, but be prepared to spend money on it. As Amazer said, they are not a cheap car, although when fixed properly, they will
give you hassle-free transport for a long time, with regular basic maintenance. :thumb
Kruizin Kol
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rice_girl
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 03:32 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by amazer
A good kombi is NOT a cheap car. I would pay (if I had the money) 8 or 9 thousand for a good kombi with nothing to spend. I know it would cost me
possibly twice that to restore one.
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Spending 9k on something that I just want for a bit of weekend fun seems a little excessive to me especially when my daily driver costs this much! At
the end of the day it's only $900 and going by some of the other kombie's i've looked at worth between 1.5k - 2k which still require
engine work, I'm sure I could get at least half of my money back on the body alone if the engine was to be a complete wreck. Unfortunately I
don't have a spare 4k+ to buy something half decent straight up, but my logic was to buy something in my price range and spend money on it each
week. I assure you that I'm not of the opinion that I'll pay $900 for it and expect to be able to take off around Australia tomorrow but
I'm willing to spend the time and the money on making it as reliable as I can over time. Cheers for all the help! |
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Andy
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 04:47 PM |
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Hi rice_girl,
As was mentioned above, it's worth getting it inspected first just so you know what your up for. If it comes with a GOOD road worthy, it's
at least had some one check it is drivable which is a good start. There are still shonky ones available though.
Depending on where in Brissy it is I can have a look for you if that helps?
Cheers,
Andy:thumb
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koolkarmakombi
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 05:11 PM |
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Hmmmmmm $900
Will cost you lots more than that to get a reliable weekender. Brakes, suspension, steering($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) and engine work will all bump the price
up and up and up. Then there is bodywork....... (dont ask)
If you plan on doing it all up, what is your budget? If you think you will just spend a bit here and there where it needs it you will end up
overspending++++
I agree with the buy a good one from the start principle. I bought a heap, and with a lot of work have made it a reliable, well running heap. Still
a heap though. Suits me as it can carry anything from mountainbikes to 60 rolls of turf (can you say lo-rider?) and I let the dogs loose in it. I
use mine as an enclosed landcaping ute.....
You usually get what u pay for.
kkk |
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baybuscamperkid
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 05:20 PM |
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welcome to the kombi world rice girl!
Amazer, my kombi had severe rust in the top corners of the front clip, some in the rear roof beam, and one small patch on the drivers side front
floor, but no other rust. interior was complete and functional, including fridge, came with new windscreen but needs windscreen, winding window and
door rubbers, engine just needs rings and a new seal where it joins to gearbox, suspension, steering and transmission seem perfect, what should i have
paid? $500 sound pretty cheap to you?
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool
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koolkarmakombi
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 06:30 PM |
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hey baybuscamperkid,
What did you do about the rust in the top corners??
My $500 had a bit of rust in the outer skin of the lower sills, looked like infected stonechips that grew until the po bogged over it.... had some
rust fixed in the drivers floor (po), step rust (combo bog weld,) and a small hole left in the floor. Had done a rear bearing inc stuffed case from
tight no3 exhaust valve stuffup on a long hot trip back up the coast... The dent in the passanger side was carefully installed by me :cry.
I really enjoyed doing it over, Im fixing the little surface rust, a few 'board dents on the roof and prepping for a respray, deciding what
colour blue at present......
Rebuilt the brakes completely, except booster because its 28 years old. I dont want to find out the hard way. It drives heaps better for it.
Ricegirl, I would still buy a good one to start with. I am making one good, so I know its done right. Well, my idea of right  for a price. That being said I have a decent work area, bench, lotsa tools
and a compressor, lathe etc so I dont get in over my head. Usually (dont ask.) I also know what I am doing (usually... ) and if I dont, I know what questions to ask (most of the time...)And
sometimes I have the talent to stuff it up completely
You will get a few conflicting opinions on this forum. It is however a rich source of information.
This is all my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid or it :P:P:P
Just dont get led by your heart too much and end up with an unreliable moneypit
:jesus:jesus:jesus
I will sit down now  |
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Robo
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 06:39 PM |
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Hi Rice_Girl
Looks like everything you could want to know has already been said.
So Ill just welcome you to the forum.
Rob.......
Boxer Power
Member of DMLRK.....Die Mittler Lebuns Resto Komeradschaft
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Andy42
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| posted on July 21st, 2003 at 07:31 PM |
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Hi Rice-Girl.
Well I say good on ya for being willing to start from scratch. Yeh maybe it will be a heap but maybe it is a great buy. If ya have a mate who is
mechanicaly minded get them to have a look at it with ya. Also you should price what it is worth to get stuff fixed that you think will need doing to
it, But of course the more work you can do yourself the better it will be for you. At least you will know what you have. It is just as easy to pay
heaps of money for something that is full of bog, crap motor but a nice paint job.
Good luck with it. |
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rice_girl
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| posted on July 29th, 2003 at 04:30 PM |
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Well here she is http://kombi.xtremeboost.org ended up getting her down to $750
GO MANLY!!
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amazer
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| posted on July 29th, 2003 at 07:22 PM |
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Floorboards?
It looks a lot better than I was expecting for 750 or even 900. Hope everything works out good for you.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
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