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Check the True Market Value - a customized appraisal button is available to really narrow it down. Good luck.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Intellichoice: http://www.intellichoice.com/
Kelley Blue Book: http://www.kbb.com/
NADA: http://www.nada.com/
Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/
www.cars.com also has a 'black book' valuation, but you must search for a similar vehicle (1993 Eurovan, click on it, then click on the black book value link.
http://ep.com/js/nav/ has tons of vw van ads under vehicles, volkswagen. You can post there or use for reference.
http://autos.yahoo.com/ also has a number of adds for Eurovans for reference.
Once you determine what your reasonable asking price is, let me know. We are currently owners of a disabled '90 Vanagon looking to move up to a Eurovan. Hope this helps!
Scott
Wben, one place to try is our Used Vehicle Locator.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I'm investigating the possibility of purchasing a VW camper van for short weekend hops to local state parks. My wife hates to camp and explore, so I would be mostly solo. We live in Southern California. Occasionally, I take longer trips, especially during the winter out into the southwest desert areas. I know virtually nothing about the VW line of vans, but have friends who either praise their wheeled boxes to the heavens, or wish they had never bought them. Is there no middle ground? What's the deal with these vans? Why are they so expensive? Are they worth it? What are the best/worst years for purchasing used (I can't afford new!)? Are they reliable? What features should I avoid or absolutely include? In the old days, van engines used to burn up...still the case? (I see a lot of ads indicating something like "'96 VW camper-van, 15,000 on new engine", so I'm suspicious.)
Help me out, please. These boards have always been right on for me in the past. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Is there an alternative? Will my VW camper-van and I be happy and have a long and enduring relationship exploring America?
Thanks!
"The Microbus will be based on the new VW T5 platform, which will form the underpinnings of a next-generation Transporter van, as well as the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne SUVs. In standard guise, it will be the basis of a Grand Microbus, which will replace the Caravelle and is believed to offer a spacious and luxurious interior. The large model is expected to account for the majority of US sales, but in Britain it will be a low-volume niche vehicle. The best-seller for Europe will use a shortened version of the T5 platform, and is expected to feature a clever arrangement that will allow seats to be removed individually or folded flat to increase luggage space. This means that the car will appeal more to family buyers – especially as £20,000 versions are now likely to be offered."
I am hoping they will bring in the shorter and cheaper version. How much does 20,000 vehicle cost when it gets here (US)?
New auto trans $3,000 +, rebuilt A/C $3,200, two sets of front brake rotors @$275 per rotor
catalitic converter $900 all within 150,000 miles.
Anyone else? I'm gathering opinions on VW camper-van experiences, costs, frequency of maintenance, mileage, reliability, etc.
See #358.
And, thanks for your input!
The down side is that being an old car it doesn't have all the creature comforts we are all so used to. You know, airconditioning, cruise control, hot and cold running water, a built in stove and on, and on, and on. Also, depending on the condition of these old cars, they can be a real maintenance nightmare. I've seen some that I wouldn't even drive around the block and others that are in better than showroom condition. And,it can be difficult to find a mechanic to work on these old aircooled VWs.
Really it comes down to what you feel that you want or need to enjoy yourself. Take your time and investigate all your options.
Paul
I opted for the Van fora variety of reasons but tried to plan for this kind of thing by purchasing a 100K mile/10 year 3rd party warranty. It was expensive (around $1200) but it gave me peace of mind (Warranty Gold was the company I chose).
Great vehicle, totally unique, excellent for short camping trips, huge interior volume and great seating configuration (with two rear facing seats).
Hope that helps some.
With production of Eurovans in Mexico now underway, EV parts should be available economically through aftermarket sources. Some will be VW of Mexico parts and some will be from mexican aftermarket sources. Who knows what quality will be. VW afficionados sometimes decry mexican and brazillian parts, but I'm not sure how much of this is can be blamed on germanophilia or outright racism.
I would be surprised of VWOA changes its posture with regard to EV parts. I don't think they care about vans...
Exactly what kind of Audi trucks came wiht this Audi truck engine?
Solid Front Brake Rotor, 93-6/96 EuroVan $49.95 701 615 301B
Vented Brake Rotor, front, 93-95 Eurovan $49.95 701 615 301A
Ventilated Brake Disc, EuroVan $41.68 701 615 301D
If you paid 275 per rotor, you paid too much.
Brake Pads, front, Does Both Wheels, 92-95 EuroVan $29.95 D3232M
Front Brake Pads US Made 93-98 Eurovan $29.95 D750M
Again, these parts don't seem priced too high. Don't forget to try non-VWOA parts sources.
The cost (via the dealer) is around $130 for the pair. Like I mentioned earlier, as soon as I learned this, I called VWoA and they started a case file, and this week rented me a car. Of course we can't camp in a Dodge Neon, but I felt that the company is trying to do th right thing since they did not support the vehicle. My 2 cents.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Interesting how people who like the van talk about it. They rave about how great it has been for their kids, short camping trips, etc. But, after what seems to be a weak attempt to convince themselves that they made a wise decision to purchase a VW camper/van, the confessions begin to roll forth. Yes, in fact, it has been in the shop a lot, and, yes, they know me down there by my first name, and, yes, it's gutless and a pain to drive, etc. Then, the kicker: "But, we love it!"
I think owning a VW van is somewhat like a marriage for some people - they have so much invested in it that even though it's not ideal, what the heck.
So, I've "broken my engagement" with the whole notion of owning (marrying?) one of these things. Still, where are you going to get a vehicle that doubles as a cool camper with a pop-top, a sink, fridge, a little stove....?
Breaking up is hard to do.
http://www.sportsmobile.com
If you pass on all the RV stuff, these can be as economical as a eurovan. I once checked and confirmed it could be outfitted similar to a eurovan weekender. If you add furnaces, starcool ac, bathrooms, etc and you'd be better off buying a real RV.
There are a few other campers out of canada also. One company converts fords and is called gtrv. Probably just www.gtrv.com. The other converts GM big vans and astros. http://www.parnado.com/ These too can be had in weekender configuration.
Have fun.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Thanks
2005 was the last prediction for the roll-out year that I recall.
Steve, Host
boaz47 "Microbus in 2005" Jun 24, 2002 9:16am
That discussion is frozen now, but may be of interest.
From what little I've seen, I like it a lot!
Steve, Host
The Vanagon and EV are also drastically different vehicles. Vanagon is rear engine, rear wheel drive and the EV is front engine, FWD. The early busses are pretty good in the snow and even offroad. Vanagons are more evenly balanced front to rear, so they aren't as good in the snow. You'll need snow tires at least and probably chains also. I've never owned an EV so I have no idea.
Parts for either are expensive and hard to find. You won't be buying much at your local car parts place.
EPA said about 17-19MPG in a vanagon and that's about what I got. When people are selling these things, they often promise much better MPG (to offset the sluggish performance I suppose). I've heard it all and never seen a vanagon get(or known a reliable person to claim) 20MPG or better. EV will be about the same, I'm told.
I have this deep-seated, irrational love for VW vans due to vacationing in them as a child. I've owned many and I'll probably own more. In my experience, they have all been very unreliable and very expensive to maintain. You will have to do alot of the work yourself unless you have tons of money. Many mechanics won't work on them or will charge you extra (especially the vanagon). I still love them, but they have abused me, each and every one.
30,000 miles a year is a lot to ask out of one of these. Better to tinker with it all year and get it out for a camping trip or two in the summer. If it were a friend or relative of mine, I'd suggest an old Toyota or Previa if the goal is to get something that is funky/neuvohippy/ earthnuggety. Or perhaps a 1st gen Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis or 4 cyl Dodge if the goal is MPG and snow ability.
Because of the cult following of the VW van, none are cheap. You can often buy much better vans for less if you aren't wedded to VW.
Look at the VW vans clubs at vanagon.com for more FAQ's regarding the vehicles. I think there is also a nice buying guide at www.busdepot.com that is aimed at camper buyers, but the chassis info is the same.
Good luck.
Run away fast.
Unfortunately, in USA there are very few available. The only appropriate replacement tire in 205/55/15C or Reinforced now available in the USA is the Michelin Agilis.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake= Michelin&tireModel=Agilis&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=065TR5AGILIS
Sorry, I cannot help with the Dunlop. I assume there is a manufacturers warranty? You rotated the tires, right?
Any advice where I can buy some self adhesive type moulding made specifically for the Eurovan?
Lou
Lotsa other cool accessories at that site as well.
I had 3 bent rims in the first year of owning the truck (it came with the 205/65R15 Continentals).
It didn't help that I had a contracting company installing underground power services to luxury houses on acreages that usually didn't get a proper road until after I was finished.
I replaced the worn Continentals with Pirelli Scorpion truck tires LT215/75R15.
They are MUCH taller, provide more clearance, more traction, and smoother ride at the cost of poor cornering.
But they last. I drove from Canada to Mexico for vacation in '93, and have about 50,000 miles on the tires, but they need to be replaced.
On the van, we also put truck tires LT215/75R15 but Yokohama's Geolander A/T tires (we have an acreage with a steep driveway 1/4 kilometer long that even my old Landcruiser struggled up in 4WD). These tires offered similar performance to the Pirellis, but with better handling in heavy rain.
The problem is that they are noisy, and as they wore they got much noisier.
I guess that's expected of an off-road tire.
The benefit is that in a heavy snowfall a few years back, I had no problems on un-plowed roads that a Jeep TJ was struggling on. (The Jeep ended up following my tracks.)
I'm sure it has to do with the weight of these vehicles combined with front-wheel drive and the tall, skinny, off-road tires. (wide tires are good for beaches and nothing else)
We've put over 90,000 kilometers (about 60,000 miles) on the Geolanders now, and they're close to needing a replacement.
One got wrecked by a nail through the sidewall, and that's when we discovered that Yokohama's road-hazard warrantee covers "P" tires (passenger), but not LT (light truck).
The next tires will be Yokohama H/T in a P-series.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Geolandar+H%2FT+Y816
The 215/75R15 C is a reinforced tire to meet the weight requirements, and its only US$67- each at Tirerack.com
The Yokohama HT is the top-rated tire for trucks and vans on tirerack, and its one of the best priced tires in this size.
After 27 years, a few dozen cars & trucks, and several dozen sets of tires I won't ride on anything but Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohama, or Michelin. The Michelins are out of my budget.
For performance car tires Yokohamas will outlast anything else (even Michelin) under hard driving.
NOTE that if you want to buy allow wheels for your Eurovan, they take Mercedes wheels.
Benz also sells a passenger van in Europe that looks a lot like the Eurovan, and for a good reason ... they come from the same VW factory. (Benz installs their own engine).
But they are mechanically identical, include the Benz bolt-pattern for the wheels.
For best quality, look at Ronal wheels http://www.ronalusa.com/ (stock on VW & Audi, as well as Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Saab, Lotus, ...) Good luck!
http://www.ronalusa.com/cars/cars_html/vw_eurovan.html
Has anyone else had the same problems with their New Euro?
-coolent return hose mounted upside down so the cooling fan cuts a hole into the hose
-stearing wheel rough on cold days
-electric water pump leak
-sliding door lock sticks when cold
-can't get trans into reverse
Thanks
itchyahn@hotmail.com
Does anybody have any solutions for this?
I thought some WD-40 on the locking mechanism of the camper top might help. Let me know. Thanks.