Is Buying A Camper From a Vw Specialist Dealer Ok :)

You definitely have to have a deep love of these things to own one....they take constant upkeep, and if you get a ropey one you'll be ploughing money into it for years!
I bought when they were cheaper....paid 6.5k for a reasonably decent looking one with some history and an MoT. That was 7years ago, and in that time it's only been on the road for the first 18 months. I've got probably 4k into it in welding and panels, engine work etc and that's doing all the work myself. It's still nowhere near finished and will probably need another 4k at least thrown at it just to get it to an averagely useable standard
Add to that it's slow, the fuel economy is awful, the space inside is limited, they're basic as hell and not particularly nice to drive when compared to something more modern, aftermarket parts are either great but expensive, or cheapish but awful, same goes for panels which are usually a horrible fit, made of tinfoil and rust before your very eyes!
If you have no mechanical experience, better learn fast....while you're at it, learn some welding fundamentals....you'll need both at some point, or a pile of cash to pay someone who can.
Not trying to kill anyone's buzz...I LOVE the things, but anyone walking into owning one blind, because they're looking for a lifestyle is gonna be in for a world of hurt if they're not careful to put in due diligence beforehand. If you want a hassle free camper van, buy a bongo, or a T5...it'll cost less, go further without waiting for the big yellow taxi, not need shares in Esso to do a journey a T5 would do on £30 and get there faster and more comfortably......won't be nearly as cool though! Hahaha

With hindsight, I would've spent more, done proper research and bought one that needed little or no work....I'm a cautionary tale basically...don't be like me!

 

I will just leave this here

 

I'd 3rd that. Paul has been doing VW engines (& more) for well over 20 years.

I doubt you'd be able to persuade him to inspect a vehicle for you, but great person to take it to once you do buy one.

 

If i was buying one now id go for the best i could possibly afford and then stretch myself a bit more.

Far cheaper than restoring one that needs work

 

Brilliant

 

35mph uphill. I dream of those sorts of speeds!

 

That is very funny, but some of the quirks are the most enjoyable parts of ownership. The fact that it’s not like a modern box is part of the appeal. I’d happily drive mine every day if we had the weather. I did drive an air cooled bug every day from 1989 until about 2002, so probably not normal!


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Nooo!
You'll have fun fun fun!

 

Yes....We've had so many happy memories touring France, Spain, popping down to Tuscany...and a few vw shows in uk....

I love my bus.

 

Don't be put off by any of the negative comments about bus ownership.

Loads of people have had amazing trips away in buses, home and abroad.

Go for it

 

sooooo expensive

 

Doowooo it! Just make sure you buy a good one.

 

that’s cos you got bargain of the century

 

might have to sell it tho :-(

 

well with depreciation ill give you 1/10th of what ya paid , but why would a gazilionaire like you need to sell anything?

 

I would go to T2D and drool over the shiny stuff there.
Maybe book onto one of their Boot Camp days as they will show you things, explain basic diy servicing and maintenance.
You will probably also get to see what the underside of a bus up on a hoist in the workshop is meant to look like without the underseal smeared over the frilly rusty edges.

You could also rustle up a tent and come up to Techenders , where a range from shiny to 'original' buses will be there, with people happy to talk about them...

 

Couldn't agree more Paulcalf ...the more you spend the cheaper it is in the long run ...if of coarse that is possible
But there are a lot of folk who do fully enjoy the challenge of full resto and won't let it hiss them off ...and of coarse the understanding wife .
But then they quite often don't mind as it's a future enjoyment for them too .

 

^ this

Unless you’re handy at spannering, have a garage kitted out, plenty of time on your hands and patience to spare - oh and cash to burn.

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what are you looking for exactly ?