Faults:

-Hydra-boost rubber brake elbow broke, replacement cost $5

-Engine seal needed replacement, $30

-Tune up every 3,000; materials cost around $25

-Seats are worn, replacements will cost $400 for the entire car (3 rows of replacement covers)

-Paint is faded

-Repainted rims and bumpers, paint cost $15

-Needs new seals, looking at around $350 not including window seals.

-Clutch pedal has been sticking.

General Comments:

I bought this bus from a neighbor down the street who had owned it since 1974. It had a new engine, new brakes, no rust, and a perfect original headliner. The bus is so much fun to drive, especially with lots of people. With rubber floor mats, cleaning it out is quick and easy. I have driven this bus all over the San Francisco bay area; I have been to a Giants game, an A's game, I went to Mountain View, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Half Moon Bay with NO problems. The "Deluxe" model comes with aluminum trim around the entire bus, and a HUGE sunroof with a crank handle. The sunroof is awesome in the summertime and works great. This is our 4th aircooled Volkswagen, our 1st Bus and it has been a very good experience for us.

If I were to look for another, I would make sure the brakes (If they are Hydra-Boost (which means power brakes) ) are in good working order. I would also look under the floor mats to make sure there is little to no rust. Also, I would buy a car with good headliner, because replacing it will take a long time, or cost you a lot of $$$.

Faults:

Windshield washer hoses leaked over electrical when pressurized- wrecked signal/hazard relay.

Surprisingly poor performance in winter (water in tank and bad after-market carburetor installed by P.O.)

General Comments:

This is a great vehicle for summer outings- from weekend getaways to cross- country tours. They are SO cheap and easy to fix. Parts are readily available and for low cost as well. Mileage in town isn't the greatest, considering the small engine, but if you aren't paying much else, but insurance on it per month, its not too bad. Cold in the winter unless it has good, intact heater boxes, pipes, insulation and seals. Rust can be a problem sometimes, depending on where the vehicle has been living for its life and how much the previous owners took care of it, but like parts, new body metal is also available for good prices as well. This was my first car, being a teenager and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Faults:

The radio and speakers had to be replaced. What's new? It's an old Volkswagen.

The heater required some work with the electric fan.

The engine was rebuilt at one point and was going to need rebuilding again if we hadn't sold it in time.

The air-conditioning system forever had leaks and faults that only allowed a couple of days of good use.

Parts could be quite expensive.

General Comments:

Overall, it was a reliable van that held up extremely well considering its age. All of the carpets, plaid upholstery, and wood veneer on the cabinets still looked new. The paint also shined up well.

The van did win trophies for "best original" on more than one occasion.

Although I never drove it on the road, the driving position was quite awkward and the shifter felt imprecise as it was very long.

It was a fun thing to have around; with electric outlets, a sink, a built-in cooler, three beds, and tons of storage space. It was comfortable on trips and it was nice to be able to hide stuff when at a show in the numerous cabinets and bins. One could also have complete privacy with curtains for every window. Also, there was a neat bug screen that attached over the rear hatch opening.