anyone drive a VW Eurovan?
 

I'm still holding out hope to find a 300TD to my liking, but I've started looking at other spacious offerings in the auto world, and was wondering what experience folks have had with the eurovan.

I've seen two- one a pop top camper (not sure I need all that, but you never know... wife might pitch me!) other is a multivan weekender... prices seem relatively cheap on these- any major things I should consider other than normal obvious stuff? they've got an audi 5 cyl gas engine... think an mb 5 cyl diesel would fit in there? ha ha..

oh, yes I know the samba and vwvortex... thanks!

thanks for the input!
Kevin

I have some friends that have one. They first had an older one, something like an '87 or so. I drove it and have to say it drove rather nice. Very gutless though. They now have a newer one, a 2002 I think it is. Have ridden in it a couple times, and drove it on the freeway once. Has the V-6, which while still not a real power house, scoots along nicely. Very comfortable and stable for a mini-van type vehicle. (I like it alot better than the '96 Dodge minivan my brother used to own)

If you can go new, what about a Sprinter?

Man, I wish. that is actually first on the list, but out of the price range for the time being... If I was looking at new eurovan though, I'd definetely do the sprinter- some are actually cheaper new!
I'm really just curious as to longevity on that audi 5 cyl engine. I know the automatics had issues; one of the ones I'm looking at has a brand new transmission, but big miles- the other one low miles and suspect transmission...
cheers,
Kevin

I'm not sure how close to the old Audi 5-banger the newer ones are. As Eric says, the old ones will outlast a Mercedes diesel I think. They're hard to kill. The only problem they had was after they went to hydralic lifters after '83. They'd clatter like a thrashing machine after 100k miles. But Later they went to a double over-head cam(1990-ish) and may not have been the same engine below the head.

Good to hear that!
Now, ask him how much problems he's had with the electricals. I'd be interested to see if they've solved that problem.

argh! ye be hijackin' me thread will ye?

how about those extra fun power window regulators on your audis? sssllllooooowwww, then stop. I was also considering a 5kcsqt avant but they are few/far between without a nice rattle trap 5 cyl...
almost bit on a coupe gt that was for sale locally for $1000, but it was automatic so I passed. if it was manual I might have given a look!
-k

Hey, I'll make ya a package deal on all 3 of my Coupes. They're going up for sale. The '83 is for sale right now($800/OBO), the '82 is actually a better car body/engine/interior/tranny-wise, but has electrical issues. The '84 is a parts car. You can have all 3 for what I'm asking for the '83:D

throw in three one-way tickets to washington and mabye we'll talk! :D

nah- I need a hauler to move these rugs around. almost bought an fj60 land cruiser last night! (thought maybe I could diesel-ize it...)

How 'bout a Unimog?:D
diesel
4x4
go anywhere
haul anything
get the babes
;)

Our family is also looking into this type of rig. We'd like to find an '87-'91 Vanagon GL w/weekender package. I personally prefer the rear drive Vanagon over the front drive Eurovan. We had an '87 GL for 5 years and it was rock solid reliable and the perfect urban assault vehicle--lots of utility and maneuverability.

Both of these vehicles can be converted over to a 1.9L tdi engine, which should return around 30 mpg and offer approximately 115 hp in chipped form--very compelling.