Club 80-90 Forums

are you after a camper, caravelle/bluestar, pickup

Have a look in the 'Garage' above, ebay, autotrader etc websites to get an idea of what type of conversion you think is best suited to your requirements. Check out 'Wiki' above for buyers guide - things to look out for etc. Above all DON'T RUSH IN AND BUY THE FIRST THING YOU SEE unless it's truly exceptional. Think bodywork above all else.

I am completely new to this so many thanks for the prompt responses so far. I must apologise but I have been sensible for too long, and now hanker after an honest hobby!! However I am no spanner monkey so need to consider reliability (and respectability due to work etc) of a van.

The internet is a wonderful source of info - and this site appears to be a peach - many congrats to the regulars and originators - it is something you should be proud of!!

There dont seem to be many dedicated VW centres in the East Midlands hence my default to this site to try and educate myself

I have read loads on T25 and T4 and am really drawn to the Westfalia conversions due to OEM status, and honesty. Though happy to consider others - or even reputable refurb specialists that could perhaps take a unit and rehash it for me??

I suppose my query is where is the best place to look for units for sale, what are the best ones to go for (an open ended question I know) and if it were you (appreciating you may be a tad biased toward the T25) what would you go for (ignoring budget) up to a total spend of 12k??

I would like it to be reliable, good fun, a daily user, and that can buzz me around the coast and dales (and poss some europe) at the weekends for impromptu nights away

Apologies if you have heard all this before and are just groaning with 'here we go again' but we have all got to start somewhere

Any input gratefully received

Thanks in advance

TC

firstly lets put some water on the fire...

you want to buy a twenty odd year old van..and in the same breath you want reliability...are you serious?

this isn't a modern precision engineered, computerised two year old car, that you just put petrol in for a year then take it for a routine service.

these vans require constant attention,in garages, by people who know what they are dealing with, and by the owner who has a desire to learn...quick! , and spot the early signs of engine death and red cancer

crucial parts for these vans are becoming obsolete by VW as I type.

People I know have paid over £9000 for a westy and it's turned out to have been robbed of original equipment and have a duff engine
£12k will never insure you against a dud.. but it will get you loads of friendly dealers.

they are a money pit...and a bottomless one

Germany seems to be the place to get more for your money.. but I would also consider an english conversion and spend the money you saved by sorting it out to your own standards.
As late as possible, as rust free as possible, and as serviced as possible.

then when you have had a chat with your bank manager informing him of your impending indefinite cash haemorrhage.... decide whether you'll be using it for camping all year round or just in the summer, how many people will be in it, and the storage of all yours and their tat
high top or pop top the former is a great all year rounder and the latter looks good and is great for the warmer months.

then start looking

go with your heart (this is not an investment)

buy it


I've had mine four years.. I've spent on it what I paid for it.

It has changed our lives wonderfully.... forever

http://www.eastfilia.co.uk

Give you a good idea of what about

or theres one for sale on BY at the moment

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... ?TID=27083

Once you own one there no going back

You are right to think Westfalia, they are the best conversion and also the most sought after and expensive. They hold their value well, prices seem to be going up. And i agree with windysurferuk, Steve from Eastfalia http://www.eastfalia.com/ would be the guy I would give large chunks of cash to as he knows what he is looking at and cherry picks the best vans from Germany. What van to go for ? Look at a few and choose. Steve will guarantee you honesty and originality. I would go for the latest model, highest spec you can afford, in the most original condition. And if you have 12 to spend, better to spend 7 or 8 and leave the rest in the bank.
Welcome and enjoy, and don't buy the first van you see ! If you have the £, take your time ! Go to one of the shows or meets, people will be more than glad to show you around and you can get a feel for the different models and their pros and cons. Take a ride in a 1.6D, a 1.6TD, a 1.9WBX and an AAZ if you can.

windysurferuk wrote:http://www.eastfilia.co.uk

He means this place: http://www.eastfalia.com/ the guy who runs it (Steve) knows his stuff is a nice guy and doesn't sell lemons, from what I've heard from others... The white air-cooled Westy on there looks like a good buy for the money I reckon, but depends what you want

At the risk of being booed by the rest of the crew, if you are spending £12k you'd be better off looking at a T4. There were some ex AA vans for sale when we were in Newquay for about £6k and you can get a really good conversion done for a similar amount (try Calypso Campers). You'd end up with relatively new technology and probably a better van and in terms of a conversion, probably just what you wanted how you wanted it.

And guess what? They still let you in here!!

Take a look at my Van in the Garage section.

I bought it from www.campervans4u.com for £10k and have been delighted with it.

It has been totally reliable, is comfortable, quick enough for me.

Good Luck !

Whilst I agree Westfalia are one of the best conversions I think which conversion is 'best' is in the eye of the beholder (frankly I don't like them, I think they're over rated).

As long as the van is good and solid and the conversion is a recognised quality one then it will hold it's value anyway, possibly even go up the way these vehicles are becoming more appreciated these days.

You could buy a T4 I suppose but I wouldn't talk to you........

Buy mine.

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35470

Even Westfalia specs differ with age and model... some are better than others. I fitted a Syncro with Westfalia interior I sourced from Germany for a trip round Iceland. It wasn't a huge amount different in design to my Devon pop-topcamper, but I actually found the cupboards/storage of the Devon more user-friendly. I also owned an Autosleeper pop-top a few years ago and that was very well thought out and easy to live with too. I think you'll find quite a few Autosleeper fans here.

But like other people have said, if you've got 12k and value reliability you might be better off with a T4. Although my 26 year old Devon has only broken down once in 7000 miles while I've been driving it and that was a loose starter motor connection... hardly devastating. The key is looking after them well and using them regularly.

GavinSmith wrote:Buy mine.

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35470

Now there's an original idea

hey

I own a 89 westie high top with aaz converstion and am based in Radford.
You're more than welcome to come and have a nose around at the weekend.

cheers

Keith