I'm seriously considering buying a westfalia. What I'm looking at are the early to mid 80s due to availability, interior layout , and price. I have two kids and I just recently sold my 25 foot class c camper that slept six but got 7 mpg on a good day. We camp about half a dozen times a year but were planning a trip out west in about two years and plan to spend about a month living out of the westfalia camping along the way. I know a few of you have westfalias and wanted you opinion on these things, pros and cons. I was also interested in the diesel westfalia though I hear there very underpowered though It appears they get around 30mpg.

I have an 82 diesel westy vanagon. We took it out west one summer and saw almost every state and national park west of indiana. It is gutless, but a 1.9 Turbo diesel can be bolted right into it, or if you're more ambitious a newer TDI engine can be adapted. Or a gas model can be converted to a subaru. There are a ton of options and I really love the layout of the Vanagon. It's ugly, but the suspension is about the best setup I have seen on a camper. If you got super lucky you could even land yourself a Synchro.

More like Westfailure.

Posted by HarvestmanMan More like Westfailure.

i don't think so... other than the waaaaay underpowered part, they're a handy, efficient alternative to a full-size camper.

Posted by HarvestmanMan More like Westfailure.

You're a tool.
Go back to your dad's Volvo, the Lambda sensor warning light is on.






Diesel Westys can be harder to find parts for (but everything is still available, just scarce-ish.) My preference is the "Wasserboxer", the flat four with the water cooled heads. They're pretty reliable, although not overly powerful, and like Lord Awesome said- the Subaru or TDI swap works well, too. I have a few customers who have done that. I've also driven one with a Ford Zetec 2.0 from a Focus swapped into it that hauled pretty nicely. But honestly, if you're not planning on winning any races and it's been well maintained, just stick with the stock engine.

There's a pretty huge following for these things and lots of aftermarket available. And although slow, I LOVE the way they drive.

The best place I've found for parts so far is www.gowesty.com

(I bought a '69 Westy on Monday)

Bandi, you just made my day.

Posted by bandi Go back to your dad's Volvo, the Lambda sensor warning light is on.

It was my mom's Volvo. Go service a Routan.

Volvos are gay. But i would be happy with the air cooled gas engine, I would keep it stock. I would be happy with 25mpg and don't see why a well serviced gas engine couldn't achieve that. There is one sitting close to me that's been sitting awhile hopefully I can pick it up cheap. I have been also looking at a Toyota class c motor home (my wife likes that much more) but there not as good on fuel and water damage always seams an issue. I like the vw because it's everything in a smaller package.

We have a huge dodge road trek and the sleeping arrangements suck. It may have a shower and a shitter, but I'd much rather be in the vanagon.

Posted by HarvestmanMan It was my mom's Volvo. Go service a Routan.

My mistake.

Come back when you're old enough to drive.

I've seen also a Westfalla with a weird Cummins diesel forklift engine that I really wanted to more about when I saw it at a rest stop on I-5.

Also, I think the EuroVan had a pop up camper option...

We don't like the eaurovan.....

Not a fan of the Euro van

Posted by sleeperspirit Not a fan of the Euro van

but its a volkswagen? aren't they the most perfect vehicle EVAR?

Posted by Samurai but its a volkswagen? aren't they the most perfect vehicle EVAR?

Go drive a Cavalier.

At least my new 8v Scirocco has more power.

Posted by Ricky_from_TV Go drive a Cavalier. At least my new 8v Scirocco has more power.

had 9 Cavaliers... loved every one of then, well maybe not the beige 98 sedan...
had 2 Cobalts great cars.

I would put my last Cavalier against your Scirocco any fucking day of the week.

ahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahaha............................................................. .............ha!

I love Eurovans... they're basically an over engineered one ton truck with wicked beefy torsion bar suspension of front. Just avoid the automatic ones.

I hate cavaliers and cobalts. They feel like a big plastic Tupperware container on wheels.

Posted by sleeperspirit I hate cavaliers and cobalts. They feel like a big plastic Tupperware container on wheels.

and the front wheel Dodges you favor were just the pinnacle of cutting edge engineering?
the Cavalier was what it was... a cheap, fun to drive, fun to own entry level car that would run forever and a day.
the Cobalt was a huge improvement over the J-body. It's failing was it's interior. It's mechanicals were solid.