Hi all,
I am interested in buying a VW kombi. I want to use it for everyday use as well as for taking it travelling around Australia.
I have never purchased a vehicle before and am pretty intimidated.
How do I know if the vehicle is in good running order? Is it worth it getting the RAA to do an inspection?
Any other hints or tips?
An old suzuki swift, barina, excel, getz all get 5 to 6 L per 100km in the country, for comparison. Been round Oz in both Barina and Excel.
Only if you are 4'6" or smaller… :)
Actually I'm 6ft2in. And the barina had a big sunroof which helped. It's been ok with the seats adjusted right, but a bigger car would be better. Currently have a getz which is a bit taller inside.
@NOYANONO: It's not the driving, its the sleeping that the OP would have trouble with when travelling as a campervan.
Great for that crinked neck look… :)
"Don't they average something like 15L per 100km in fuel?"
That's about what my 2006 Ford averages; it does a bit over 400 kays on a full tank (60 L) of fuel. It's 6 cylinders though. I reckon an old Kombi van will be a lot worse than that, re fuel economy (unless an entirely new motor has been 'retro-fitted into it?). And I'm told their suspension is, well… just about non-existent. And there will be no power-steering. Or anything else in terms of 'convenience' (or safety), much. I love the old kombis (i.e. the look of them/memories they evoke), but personally, unless you knew quite a bit about cars or had a spouse who did, I'd advise against getting one. Potential money-pit/financial nightmare, not comfortable or practical to drive/travel in these days, no air-bags, etc. And to get one in good order (i.e. a 'restored' one), will actually cost quite a bit these days. Have you considered perhaps getting a cheap-assed wee caravan, and a small car with the power to tow it, instead? That way you can zip around town on the cheap/safely/comfortably in the car when you're not travelling, and when you are, you can hitch up the caravan/you'll have sommat to "crash in" (no pun intended)?
That's my suggestion, but I should emphasise that I know nothing much about cars… pay more heed to those who do, when they chime in on this thread.
VW kombi's in good condition are becoming more like a collectors car. Middle to older aged Hippies trying to remember their first sleep over with their first partner, if you get what I mean.
High maintenance, with hard to get spares.
If you are mechanical which I guess you maybe aren't, then it maybe worth the experience and fun of the adventure it may bring being stranded with your loved one on a remote QLD beach, while you wait for some replacement part to arrive.
Taking such a valuable classic on such a long trip around Australia would be seen as heresy and a waste of money, unless of course it wasn't worth much in the first place, which means you should't take it.
There is a reason why the Wickedcampers, Hippiecamper, Spaceshipsrentals, use old Tarago and Japanese type vans for cheaper camper rentals as they are more reliable and can stand up to abuse better.
How long before you want to go on Safari? Driving around Australia even though its better than when I was growing up, needs a reliable car, or a mechanics course and toolkit, good luck, or dare I say it, some indigenous heritage.
See
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/stories/s359476.htm
One epsisode can be seen here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wspwBcuOZFg
The old Kombi vans definitely have hipster appeal, but the now outrageous initial cost for a quality one, fuel economy, lack of any basic "luxury", scarcity of parts, and safety concerns would probably convince me to choose something else.
I'd appease my desire for a Kombi Van by buying a Kombi tent for my travels! No maintenance required. LOL
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-CAMPER-VAN-TENT-BLUE-COMBI-CAM…
Nice idea but maybe go sit in a Combi van for 10 minutes, shift gears, twiddle the am radio, wind down windows, imagine spending a year travelling with that noise and possibly drafts.
Then do the same in an older Toyota Hiace van and whichever you like most is a fair personal choice.
But I think you'd be safer, more comfy, cheaper overall, with a hiace or transit van.
Knickname = killjoy?
HTH
Damn you and your succinct summations NOYAs… ;P
And WTF does "HTH" stand for?
No doubt Waters would know…
WTF does "WTF" stand for first? (had to say that)
Hope That Helps.
No doubt Waters would know…
HTH was a new one for me there, too!
Don't they average something like 15L per 100km in fuel? I swear it was that figure or thereabouts when I looked into Kombis a long, long time ago..