ADVISE PLEASE: Any PARENTS WITH A BAY!

[windsurfer]

Hi Guys,
I am going insane (slowly). I really want to buy an early bay, I have some money and the desire but here's the problem.

Whatever I buy needs to be my daily driver, transport my young kids 2 days a week (so needs a good heater and 3 point seat belts) and get the family reliably round the south of France this summer. I am not a great mechanic either.

I have been looking to buy a T4 or 5 but my heart is with the air-cooled brigade. I love Splitties and Early Bays.

I just don't want to spend a lot of money on something that won't cater for my family needs. I can't have a vehicle that's going to break down all of the time, not keep my little kids warm and is not safe.

What I'm asking really is.............
1. Does anyone actually use their Bay as a daily driver?
2. Does anyone transport their kids (mine are 2 and 3) safely?
3. Can you own a Bay without being mechanically minded?

I would really value some honest, non-romantic (I know you all love them though) advise. Do I go with my head or heart?

Thanks
:roll:
Simon

 

[flynster]

watcha fella i don`t use my van as a daily but i could quite easily as its so nice to drive, i do , however transport kids in it all over the place with no safety issues at all.....i am no mechanic either but with a little self education they are a piece of piss to work on really.....just look after them and they`ll look after you and sooo fooookin cooool toooooo.....go get one and make sure its EARLY :wink:

 

[Araon]

They really are a nice simple car to maintain, get a solid bus to start with, decide on what you want camper conversion or micro, if the engines on its last legs no real problem get a new engine and break her in gently just bear in mind oil changes every 3000 miles and she'll be running sweet (doesnt sound like your going to be joining the strip boys), simple maintenance tasks are really all thats needed and your confidence soon grows. mechanics are easily found to take on anything your not happy with.

A microbus will have two sets of three point mounts in the back and one lap belt, the inertia reels can be easily bought and fitted....

I will be using mine as a daily and have absolutely no quarms of carrying my 4 year old and the dog in the back....

The main thing is go and view busses, get yourself to Dubfreeze and view peoples busses, have a look at the for sale, dont go to buy just look, if you like them get the details of the ones that interest you, take a digi camera and snap away, get under the various vans and see whats under their some will shock some will suprise you it will help you for the future, then in the comfort of your own home a couple of days later (the excitement will have dropped a fraction) go through them with the familly, look at the types of bus that are of interest to you.

But try and go for a good solid base, likely to be more expensive but it will save you in the end as you will be passing it onto a mechanic to sort out, dont worry about faded paint minor surface rust, always carry a magnet when viewing just to see what lies beneath that immaculate paint work, be realistic with your budget, take someone along with you prefferrably a vw phile..... you could try meet up with some of the guys on here have a look try and get a warts 'n' all view, most people on here will be happy to go view a bus with you if for no other reason than to look at a new bus or spend someone elses cash :lol:

Whereabouts are you look for a local club, they can help with the mechanics etc.....

 

[scott wilson]

sorry to hijack your thread but if you want a reliable 30k from new one then go to coys and buy a virtually new one :wink:

 

[froggy]

If your children are anything like my daughter then they will insist that you drive them everywhere in the bay :lol:
The heating is not as bad as most non-owners make out (and most owners :wink: ) as long as the engine still has the heat exchangers then its not really a problem.
From a personal point of view, try and buy a camper that suits your needs. My camper was a panel van that has been converted somewhere along the lines and today i have had a quote of £350 to 2 x 3 point seat belts in the back, where as most vans that started as campers have the fitting already there from the factory.
But as everyone will tell you, buy the best you can and dont be put off if the steering wheel is on the wrong side :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Araon]

:lol:

I was thinking about this bus at the time, didnt take you long to jump on board....

 

[SteveGTU]

Hey Simon, Got my 69 earlybay 2 years ago and the only regret I have is not getting it sooner. I'm not a mechanic and have never really been interested in how cars work but loved looking at them. Since having my bus I have a new found respect for classic car owners and you kind of join an elite club where everyone looks out for each other (rare in this day).My kids were 5 and 7 when we got ours and they love it, even if we just go to Tescos in it. When I bought mine I read loads of books on them and armed with knowledge I found one and drove for three hours to see it, when I got there all the info in my head went out of the window and I found myself getting on with this chap and his wife like I'd known them for years and infact we meet them at vanfest each year now.If you do decide to get one YOU WILL pick up knowledge and YOU WILL make sure your kids are safe (cause they're so slow) as you'll find life just slows a little and with two kids thats what you need. I hope you get one and maybe see you at a show ? Steve (mine has two lap belts but if i'm correct factory campers and micro buses have tappings for inertia reels)

 

[froggy]

Remember your buying a hobby (and a lifestyle) not a car!

 

[windsurfer]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the advice, I shall speak to my wife and see what her thoughts are (now I'm scared)!!!!! LOL
Si

 

[Tofufi]

Hi Guys,
I am going insane (slowly). I really want to buy an early bay, I have some money and the desire but here's the problem.

Whatever I buy needs to be my daily driver, transport my young kids 2 days a week (so needs a good heater and 3 point seat belts) and get the family reliably round the south of France this summer. I am not a great mechanic either.

I have been looking to buy a T4 or 5 but my heart is with the air-cooled brigade. I love Splitties and Early Bays.

I just don't want to spend a lot of money on something that won't cater for my family needs. I can't have a vehicle that's going to break down all of the time, not keep my little kids warm and is not safe.

What I'm asking really is.............
1. Does anyone actually use their Bay as a daily driver?
2. Does anyone transport their kids (mine are 2 and 3) safely?
3. Can you own a Bay without being mechanically minded?

I would really value some honest, non-romantic (I know you all love them though) advise. Do I go with my head or heart?

Thanks
:roll:
Simon

hi

my thoughts to your questions...

1) I use my bay as a daily driver, it is my only working car. I've done 80 miles in it today, mostly motorways, and it didn't skip a beat (that's a lie, it stalled once, at the end of my road in the cold weather). It is possible, but you will find that if you buy a van that doesn't get used much, you will have to iron out lots of minor niggles. Things like heating, getting the engine running absolutely perfectly etc may take a bit of work. Luckily, the parts and cheap, readily availiable and the buses themselves are mechanically simple.

2) I've not got kids, and only two seatbelts in my 8 seater microbus. It has mounting points (and I've got some belts to get round to fitting) which should make it rather better - certainly able to take two car seats in the back.

3) Errrrm. Lots of people do, but lots of people suffer poor running as a result. It is better to start learning about them, and begin doing things like your own servicing if you can. Servicing is extremely simple really, and the tools etc you'll need will be cheaper than getting it serviced at a garage
As it is a 40ish year old vehicle, there will always be a few imperfections or niggles to sort out.
If you're not willing to get your hands dirty at all, you'll want to find a decent aircooled specialist garage (normal garages just won't know what they are looking at, generally). And you'll need deep pockets

Finally, I'd imagine the middle section of a bay, especially if stock height, is a pretty safe place to be in a crash. The front end of early bays doesn't have much of a crumple zone though. But you're not normally going fast enough to damage anything :lol:

I'm pondering whether to take my van to the south of France this summer. I'm sure it would get me there, to be honest. Probably get me home again, too

Jim.

P.S. - Forgot to add, if I scared you with mention of doing servicing yourself... the chances are there will be owners local to you who are willing to show you the ins and outs of doing jobs. I've got loads of VW friends I can call upon if I am taking an engine out, and vice versa

 

[Loxy]

You didnt say how much you have to spend (and I'm not familiar with t4/t5 prices), that I think will be a major factor - to get a decent van with reliable running gear will not be cheap unless you are very lucky (although there are some very nice ones available here).
I have 3 kids now 10/12/14 that I used to drive round in my old van inc. fitted kids car seats and now have a crossover dormobile that we use for holidays/days out.
I have/had no qualms about driving them round in them, but I would be a little worried about driving them around safely in some of the vans I have seen people selling/buying.
Take a good look at some of the restos on here and be aware that people will try and sell you a shitter with a good paint job - haveacampers resto thread in the gallery will give you some idea of the problems that can be found (sorry Nafe).

You do need to be honest with yourself about your usage & be prepared to allow extra time for journeys etc and be prepared to learn/get your hands dirty as even the youngest EB is 36 years old, if you are prepared for that then an EB will serve you well.

 

[cyberdyne systems]

I dont use my westy every day (for that I use a '56 Oval!), but my kids adore it and if they have a choice its the bay everytime.

As the wardrobe in a Westy (Campmobile) is on the offside of the van (US LHD spec) it can obscure some vision that way but you work around it, it also means you can't use the stock seatbelt mounts on that side, but can still have a lap belt and a 3 point on the other side. I tend to have my eldest up front and youngest in the back so they both have proper belts.

You have to be realistic, and realise there should be some hands on maintenance, any vehicle of this age is going to have normal issue's plus extra niggle's to sort out. I like the fact I don't have to fix it straight away cause I have the use of another car and can get the bits together and do it when I have time. It was a pain in the arse when I only had the Oval and something stupid happened like the time when the fan worked loose and needed to be repaired quickly.

But don't be put off going for it, half the battle is to take the plunge, be willing to learn and above all enjoy the experience!

Gareth

 

[AxlFoley]

I have to say I wouldent reccomend using a bay as a daily driver, have you thought about getting a Bay and a cheep runnaround for a daily?

 

[scott wilson]

I have to say I wouldent reccomend using a bay as a daily driver, have you thought about getting a Bay and a cheep runnaround for a daily?

dude wheres my bay?

 

[young_dubya]

i dont use a bus (yet) for my daily but i drive a bug but scott wilson^^^^ will be dropping me one of on weds :mrgreen: :mrgreen: and i will be using that, i wouldnt use anything else. things like electronic ignition help keep reliablity troubles to a minimum if thats what you want. you might be better buying another aircooled vehicle first and then (cheap bug) that you dont have to use daily and learn abit more about the mechanics of the engines etc. also joing a forum (especially this one) will help no end with problems with your early bay. good luck dude! :mrgreen:

 

[steve92]

as has been said before. do your homework, dont rush in. get yourself along to dubfreeze. all variations and styles of van will be there, and owners will be very willing to show off their buses.also you will get a good impression of the vw scene. dont be afraid of lhd. its no problem.look beyond shiny paint and buy a solid bus. it will save a fortune.mechanics are pretty simple, and if you get stuck theres always someone on here that can offer help.if it was me id go for a 71. front disc brakes but moon vents and round back lights. good luck!

 

[ianscooby]

I don't use the bay as a daily due to the mileage I do (40K a year) and the need to be there on time , but any oppurtunity we take her out, I've been meaning to rebuild the engine for a number of months now and everytime I get her out of the carport to make a start on it we end up going on a trip somewhere just to use her, even during the winter without heat exchangers. Buy a bay you will not regrate it but spend as much as you can on a clean one.

 

[windsurfer]

Thanks again Guys for all the positive feedback.
In answer to some of your questions, I could buy a cheap daily driver but obviously that would eat into my funds. I have between 8 and 10k (depending upon if I buy another car as a daily). That would just leave me with the issue of reliability whilst travelling to the south of France (approx 1000 miles down to Hossegor, a cool surfing spot). I don't mind getting my hands dirty but don't really want to break down with a 2 and 3 year old in the back crying!

I do love Bays though, especially slammed ones. I have actually been into VDubs for a few years, I've been to Dubfreeze, Volksworld, Vanfest (it's just down the road), Bug Jam and VW action just to name a few. I am finally in the position to actually make my purchase! I just don't want to make the wrong one!

I do really value your opinions though, I may see some of you at the shows.

Cheers

Simon

 

[cyberdyne systems]

So...are you going to get one or not! :mrgreen:

 

[Loxy]

Thanks again Guys for all the positive feedback.
In answer to some of your questions, I could buy a cheap daily driver but obviously that would eat into my funds. I have between 8 and 10k (depending upon if I buy another car as a daily). That would just leave me with the issue of reliability whilst travelling to the south of France (approx 1000 miles down to Hossegor, a cool surfing spot). I don't mind getting my hands dirty but don't really want to break down with a 2 and 3 year old in the back crying!

I do love Bays though, especially slammed ones. I have actually been into VDubs for a few years, I've been to Dubfreeze, Volksworld, Vanfest (it's just down the road), Bug Jam and VW action just to name a few. I am finally in the position to actually make my purchase! I just don't want to make the wrong one!

I do really value your opinions though, I may see some of you at the shows.

Cheers

Simon

I'm sure someone on here will help you inspect a potential purchase.
You have a reasonable to good budget that should enable you to get something that is in good condition both structurally & mechanically, there are a couple on here that might fit the bill - depending on your preference for LHD/RHD & interior type.
As for driving to south of france - the first long journey in our van was with 2 kids across Europe to Hungary ~3000 mile round trip, done it a couple of times since (now with 3 kids) and never had any problems. If you get european breakdown - some insurance companies provide it at a good price, and get the van with enough time to be able to drive it around & get a bit of confidence in it, learn how to do a service - really not too difficult, buy a couple of books - I would recommend haynes & muirs idiots guide, you should be good to go :wink:

Consider that you could do the same trip in a modern car & breakdown, its more likely that you can fix a van at the side of the road than a modern car*.


*I completely made that up, but it sounds plausible :lol: