A friend of mine who just get his driving licence want to buy a VW Combi (of 1971-79), is it reliable ? Do you have any suggestions about it ?

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STAY away from those!!!!!!!!!



while they are pretty reliable- they are dangerous in a crash and are impossible to drive around (sluggish and heavy)

I know, but it is his wish :D

I am not entirely familiar with the combi but think it is related to the VW bus, the predecessor to the Vanagon?

I researched vanagons prior to purchasing one and found them to not only be safe but to be superior to just about anything out there. They have a complete frame under the skin. Not just under the vehicle but box frame. Most cars are either unibody or body sitting on frame. Airbags are better but a frame is a nice, super-eavy alternative.

Anyhow, crash tests show them to be quite safe in a collision. The insurance stats conceed.

yes, driving one is like driving a garden tractor on the highway. Sometimes you find yourself leaning forward hoping it might add a few miles per hour.

Reliable? depends on what you mean by that. You can count on them breaking down but they are rediculously easy to fix. If you maintain it like a collectable, it on't break down. They are as reliable as the person servicing them.

My suggestion is to do your researh, check out the passionate user groups, and get one with the camper equipment. You'll fall in love. One word of caution... Trips in busses result in babies in busse. Its a proven fact. Go ahead, try it.

I have owned bues since 1997. A 67 westy and I currently own a 69 westy BOTH daily drivers,both buses drive very well on the freeway reaching 75mph with a stock motor! I find them to be very reliable!
As long as you find one in good conditon, keep up on all the maintenance, treat it right, they will last a life time. They are a LOVE~HATE kinda car. You'll either love them and will always love them or you'll hate them. I'm one of the many people who love these cars. Cars are as safe the person driving them!!
Mike

I have owned bues since 1997. A 67 westy and I currently own a 69 westy BOTH daily drivers,both buses drive very well on the freeway reaching 75mph with a stock motor! I find them to be very reliable!
As long as you find one in good conditon, keep up on all the maintenance, treat it right, they will last a life time. They are a LOVE~HATE kinda car. You'll either love them and will always love them or you'll hate them. I'm one of the many people who love these cars. Cars are as safe the person driving them!!
Mike

I have to comment, I just can't resist. First... Cars are not as safe as the person driving them. They are as safe as they are engineered to be. A car with air bags, a five point racing harness, reinforced steel cage, extra grippy tires and pwerful brakes is safer than a compact pickup truck 10 years past its prime. You have to take into consideration what happens when some loser in an Excursion is trying to change the movie in his in-dash dvd while talking to his mom about why he cant quit smoking and his cigarette falls in between his legs, burning his jublies and, you, are in his path...
second, the love hate thing is more a "I love this car, its got such character" then, "I hate this thing, why won't the last allen bolt come out of the CV axle," then, "I love the way the road welcomes this enlightened machine. ...and how people weave and honk as they drive by"
I ain't knockkin mr. gratefulphish, just trying to be realistic. I love my vanagon. He's stranded out back requiring brakes, air conditioning repair, heater core replacement, idle control vale replacement and some new tires.
and I miss him so