Qs about campers

cassie wrote:
>
> Thanks to all for their helpful comments about Transporters.
> I have looked at the on-line classifieds, there are 6-8
> vehicles for sale within a reasonable drive. Seems to me that
> they fall in 3 categories: price range 5-10K, REALLY NICE.
> 2-4K, maybe OK... below 2K, basically projects. I lean
> toward getting a "nice" one, although that would mean I
> would have to pay at least half the cost myself, don't
> think my daughter can save that much.
>
> My real question is: most of the available vehicles seem to
> be campers. I am curious as to how day-to-day practical these
> are. Like: how many people can ride? Are the back seats "real"
> seats, i.e., are they safe and comfortable for distance riding?
> How easily can you reconfigure them? The reason I am asking is
> that my major "hobby" is home repair and carpentry, I would like
> to be able to occasionally carry stuff like lumber or insulation
> etc. Where can you find information about the layout of these
> campers?
>
> Two people have recommended Dons Volk-Tech in Burlington NJ,
> however, that is pretty far from me - I am fairly close to
> Newark and NYC, and that appears to be down by Philly.
> Looking in my local yellow pages, I found
> at least three mechanics that claim to specialize in VWs -
> Autobahn in Greenbrook, VW Repair Center in Westfield, and one
> whose name I forget in Plainfield. Anyone have any experience?
> I may call the people at Volktech and ask for advice there.
>
> Also I keep hearing that I should have a mechanic check out a
> vehicle before buying it - sounds like a good idea, but how
> do you do this if you drive 2 hours to see the bus that's
> for sale?
>
> Sorry if that's too many questions for one post...
>
> Cassie
>
>
Hi Cassie,
How's it going. First, to answer your question about price. Anything
form the 2-4k range should be in good condition. Not much rust, good
paint and interior, and good mechanical condition. A daily driver in
other words. The higher the price the better condition. The 5-10k
would have to include the watercooled variety. I don't like them
much, byt to each his own. I would stick with the air cooled for
now. Anything in this price range and the upper 4k should be a
complete restoration, or close to it. Shop around. Sometimes you can
find an amazing little old lady type deal.
As for the campers. There are several different models, each with
it's own door and seat configuration. Some have no windows and some
with lots of them. You'll have to ask which model they have as well
as the other info. If they have seats, then they are "real" seats.
My web site has some links to bus sites you might want to check out
& I will be adding more in the next few days.
http://www.geocities/MotorCity/Lane/9341 Check it out, and Ihope
you find what you need. Check the tech pages as well. There is a lot
of tech data on busses there as well.
The best way to find a shop is to visit it and talk to them. I found
my mechanics by visiting the local VW parts store. They usually know
who is vreliable. My mech. is also a parts store so I would just go
in and find out how long it took me to annoy him. Never have, and he
always likes to answer my questions. If the mechanics or parts
people are allof, condecending, snotty, or unfriendly. Then they are
probably not a good place to go. Stay away fom dealerships, and try
to pick someone that not only specializes in Air cooled VW, but when
you visit that's what they have on there lot to repair. A lot of
shops will say they specialize in something but never actually work
on them. Good luck!!!
Jim