Thursday, November 17, 2011

For $70,000: "Old New" Bus, or "New Old" Vanagon?

photo credit: MotorTrend
Both Automobile and MotorTrend magazines reported this week on the return of Volkswagen's T2 "Bay Window" Bus to the European market. These are not restorations, they are new Buses rolling off the factory line in Brazil. This has been going on for years, and occasionally a vehicle was privately shipped up to Europe, but now for the first time since the Buses were discontinued in 1979, Volkswagen's official Dutch distributor is creating a new European Bus market.

The 2012 Kombi has an updated dash panel, a 1.4 L water-cooled engine, a radiator up front, and some new interior and exterior accessory options, but it's otherwise identical to the German-built models of the 1970's. The price? 45,000-56,000 Euros, or the equivalent of $62,000-$77,000. Yikes. As the articles point out, with that price tag and the unlikelihood that these Buses would ever pass US emissions standards, we won't be seeing these cruising the California coast any time soon.

photo credit: MotorTrend
That hefty price tag got me wondering whether I'd really want one of these "Old New" Buses even if they were available to the US market (and I had that kind of cash!). For the money, I think I would much prefer what I'll call a "New Old" Vanagon, restored, and more importantly, updated. Take, for example, this 1991 Vanagon Full Camper that GoWesty recently sold for $61,000. Among the many updates and add-ons too numerous to list, it sports a new 2.5 L engine, solar powered auxiliary battery system, modern kitchen, modern cooling, modern exhaust, modern suspension, 16" wheels, and so much more.

1991 Vanagon Camper from GoWesty
As I've said before, I couldn't care less about maintaining OEM authenticity. If there's a better product or replacement part on the market than the original part designed over 20 years ago, that's what I want in my Vanagon. If I ever trip over a pile of $60,000, I'm looking to GoWesty, not Brazil, for my next VW camper.


26 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
    cash for cars brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello!
    It was great and informative, your site introduced me to a friend, sometimes I visit your site and use the content you shared.
    We are in Sydney. You can also visit our site by clicking on the address below.
    scrap car buyer

    ReplyDelete
  4. the recommended and most cost effective transport option. Exotic Car Rental

    ReplyDelete
  5. The most expensive cars are the most luxurious, only the richest can have these cars and others can only dream of driving it. İstanbul araç kiralama

    ReplyDelete
  6. Whether your vehicle is used or unused, junk or scrap, working, or not working it doesn't matter for Ezy Cash for cars. We are the topmost wreckers in Brisbane.We accept all types of vehicles whether it's Holden, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes, we will accept. Ezy Cash for Cars provides the best cash for cars and we offer up to 15000$. Are you in search of dumping your scrap and wrecked cars? Ezy Cash for Cars provide the best Car towing and removal service anywhere in Brisbane.
    Cash for Cars Brisbane
    Cash for Cars Sydney
    Cash for Cars Sunshine Coast

    ReplyDelete
  7. Woww. One of the best blog I’ve read in recent times. Truly worth reading. And I would love to read some more useful blogs form you for sure. Cash For Car. Again, awesome weblog! Have a great week

    ReplyDelete
  8. Canberra Cash 4 Cars was started to fulfill the gap in the market for cash for scrap car services. End-of-life vehicles were piling up in the area with only a few places for them to be sold.



    Unwanted Car Removal

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cash For Cars QLD was started with the purpose to provide customers the best cash for car service possible in Queensland. In the beginning, we had only one branch located in Rocklea, but over the years we have grown our customer base in the whole of QLD.

    free car removal logan

    ReplyDelete
  10. We understand how difficult it is to tow away your scrap, junk, broken, and damaged vehicle. Metal Biz Recyclers provides free towing service at any time, and anywhere you located.

    cash for cars brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  11. Onroadz is the best in offering a wide variety of self drive cars for rent in Chennai, We are the most trustable car rental provider. We offer our car rental services in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Theni, Vizag, Vijayawada, Mysore and so on.

    Self Driven Cars in Chennai
    Self Driving Cars in Coimbatore
    Self Driving Rental Cars in Vizag
    Self Driving Car Rent in Vijayawada

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such an informational blog!! Are you looking for the best deals for your old car in cash for cars Adelaide, cash for car Adelaide
    ? Let's come - cash for cars Perth, cash for car Perth

    ReplyDelete
  13. Many Thanks for the shared this informative and interesting post with me. I’m much pleased with your good work. you have good knowledge for article writing and this article is amazing. I am waiting for your next article. Thank you so much

    Regards: Cash For Cars Sydney

    ReplyDelete
  14. The author writes a nice blog. At Metro Car Removals, pay top cash for your scrap, used, old, and unwanted cars in Adelaide Wide. If you are looking for a hassle-free car for cash services and same-day free car removal, then you have come to the right place.

    ReplyDelete
  15. mph club, the largest exotic car rental company in the U.S offers the best Lamborghini Rental experience for daily and weekly rentals. Lamborghini Rental

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills. Great article and right to the point. We Pay Cash For Cars Brisbane wide upto $9999. We are also specialists in car removals. You could schedule your free car removal this very day and be paid in cash while your scrap car is towed away for free within minutes!

    ReplyDelete
  17. World Cooling Towers is the ISO 9001:2015 certified FRP cooling tower Manufacturers in India offering a wide range of industrial cooling towers including Round Cooling Towers, Square Cooling Towers, Dry Cooling Tower, Wooden Cooling Tower, Cross Flow Cooling Tower and so on.

    Cooling Tower Suppliers in Chennai
    Cooling Tower in Bangalore
    Manufacturer of FRP Cooling Tower in Hyderabad
    Cooling Tower Company in Kerala

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great post. People out there who are looking for car recyclers can contact GDM Wrecking. GDM wrecking actively buys all types of cars and offer used car parts for all models such as Mitsubishi, Nissan, Holden, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai etc.
    mitsubishi car wreckers
    Ford wreckers Brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really Enjoyed your article. Tejas Cosmetic Surgery Center is one among the best plastic surgery clinic in coimbatore. Our highly skilled doctors specialized in providing treatment like liposuction, hair transpalant, PRP treatment, Gynecomastia and Tummy Tuck surgery. Our doctors at Tejas has 22+ year of experience.

    Cost of Hair Transplant in Coimbatore
    Fat Removal Surgery in Coimbatore
    Rhinoplasty in Coimbatore
    Body Contouring Surgery in Coimbatore

    ReplyDelete
  20. Local car buyer, a platform where you can get top cash for all types of vehicles. We are buying cars for cash from Brisbane, Gold coast, Canberra, Perth, Melbourne etc. We ensure quick car selling with free removal at the comfort of your home.
    cash for car Canberra
    cash for car sydney

    ReplyDelete
  21. Five Fingers Exports is the best semi automatic non woven bag making machine manufacturers in India, supplying premium quality machines at cheapest price than others. Regardless of location we can deliver our manual non woven bag making machine across India on time. We offer,
    Semi Automatic Non Woven Bag Machine Suppliers in India

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging. Investmates is a India's first Social Network for investors and Traders
    Visit us for further details : https://investmates.io/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hiring a taxi service in Coimbatore with onroadzcabs.comis a great way to get around the city. There are a number of taxi services that operate in the city, and they are all reasonably priced. The service is reliable and the drivers are usually very friendly.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Selling an old car can come with a host of pitfalls, from unreliable buyers to lengthy negotiations. Car Removal Services In Sydney eliminate these worries by offering a streamlined process that ensures a fair price and prompt payment. It's the safest and most reliable way to say goodbye to your old car.
    Our Other Services
    Cash for Cars Sydney
    Auto Wreckers Sydney
    Sell My Car Sydney

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Volkswagen Vanango holds a special place in automotive history and continues to be celebrated for its distinctive design, versatile capabilities, and cultural impact. It's a testament to Volkswagen's ability to create vehicles that capture the imagination of generations. If you want to buy your favorite Vanagon and need more money to buy, you can sell your old vehicles to Cash For Scrap Cars Penrith

    ReplyDelete