All good advice above. Don't rush in. Good set of folk on here. A 21 grand shiny bus could still be a rotter. An 8 grand tatty bus could be a solid buy.
Welcome to TLB - its a fantastic community of fellow fans and loads of knowledge to tap into. Are you planning to service your bus yourself? You will save a fortune if you do as they are always needing something tweaking. We have a Berlin (deluxe one with a cooker as well as a sink) and were in two minds which to get. Berlin has more storage and a 3/4 bed downstairs. Helsinki has less storage and a full width bed - you pays your money you takes your choice!
Not sure how much research you've done but Westies seem to carry a premium for no apparent reason and I find some of them a bit dark and dingy inside. If I was looking again I'd buy one with a full width bed, a fridge, and very little else. I'd want a Dormobile roof too. Loads of storage just means you take too much stuff!
If you want to take a trip up to Cambridge you are welcome to come and look at what I've done and I can share the last two years of buying / restoration experience. Karmann Konnection down in Southend had some very nice restored late bays so worth a look.
Bay searcher is spot on with regards to the storage encouraging you to take stuff, we take loads but that suits us. Buses are so variable in their look and feel depending on layout, type of pop-top or tin top, colour, walk through and captains chair or not etc. Entirely depends on what suits what you want. I have a friend with an absolutely beautiful Arco split that is just perfect, but tiny and when he goes away they bring a T4 as well so they can carry luggage and fit the family in!! Suits them mind. I have two daughters so wanted a van that sleeps 4 easily hence late Westy for the 7 foot double bed upstairs. I am a bit of a cooking ponce so loads of storage means I can fit in my indian spice box, mandolin for super thin veg, dutch pot for stews - you get the idea. Others want loads of space and a kick-ass stereo and aren't interested in cooking. Getting a bus that suits you is most of the fun.
This is the place to be Any issues u get these will fix it or help u find the problem !! I bought the 1st rusty one I seen and was very bad nearly scrap please please look at a few or get some one in know to look over !!
There's only me and hubby plus two smallish dogs we'd like to take camping with us. We liked the look of the Berlin layout and plaid upholstery but to be honest interior can be tweaked at a later date as long as the main bodywork/engine etc is sound
Hello and welcome to the forum. Only been on here a few months myself having joined in advance of buying my van, much like yourselves. It's a great place for info and advice, and very helpful pre and post purchase. Have fun looking at vans and test driving them. And if you have an upper limit you want to spend, try to buy one that costs less..... you will undoubtedly need a contingency fund for those 'unexpected' things that invariably crop on 40 year old vehicles! Enjoy
Howdy! Don't listen to a word anyone says!!! Except me - just then - I mean it - gibberish for 98.3% - not me - them. I hope I make myself clear.
tbh you cannot go wrong with this bus ,even if you do not like it in a year you will get your money back.. http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/68-tintop.54440/ Westys do have the annoying sink thing, I will never get another (unless it was cheap)
Afternoon from the Vegas of the north... Agree with everything said above. My question to you though is, have you drove/camped in one? If you haven't it may be worth a punt to have a hire for a weekend as the space and fridge comments will mean more. Also I would say remember.... All that shines isnt gold... My bus has had alsorts of issues which if I had known what I was doing would have been a breeze to sort quickly but I've had to learn from manuals and TLB. In hindsight I'm glad my bus wasn't perfect as now I know her well and can do a bit on her and the bits that need to be done..which for me at least I know its right and heading to the world of reliability! I would say if you can get someone who knows buses to go with you..it will pay off massively! If not post pictures here... Zeds tintop (from lost en France post) is a cracking starter though and the lad knows his onions and is known on here, so a good previous owner as well...which is rare!
