Looking at this picture, I only feel remorse for the owner

"Bluecold" (Bluecold) 09/01/2013 at 06:54 • Filed to: VW transporter

0

17

All I see is a burning slow deathtrap of which millions are unjustly preserved. I don't care about VW buses. I know others do. And I don't think those people are necessarily stupid. But I mostly can't understand why so many people care about VW buses. Is it just the hippie-appeal?

Mikeado > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 07:00

1

'Cause they're cool. It's an iconic car like a Beetle or a Mini, and you can swap Subaru or Porsche engines into them for the awesomest camper van!

dieselwagon > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 07:07

0

That brightened up my morning!

If only we could get a fresh burning VW camper every day.

dieselwagon > Mikeado 09/01/2013 at 07:11

0

You can do a lot of things, all of the VW campers i've seen have been very much stock, rusted to pieces or peace&loved. (I go to a lot of music festivals).

To make it an awesome camper you wouldn't only need to sort out the engine, but the suspension/general ride comfort and lack of interior space.

Many years ago sure iconic, but now that's redundant and the originals are nothing more than fashion statements. Stupidly expensive ones at that.

Bluecold > Mikeado 09/01/2013 at 07:13

0

Yes, I get that. But are they in any way entertaining to drive with the stock engine? I'm not saying the only desirable cars are race cars, but most other desirable classics have a certain 'feel' to them. The VW bus would feel like a van, because it is one. And vans are just terrible to drive. And I would understand the value of VW vans if they were rare. But they aren't. What does the VW bus have over the Citroen HY, Peugeot D4, Renault Estafette, Morris J4... there are countless old, quirky European vans. Yet the only one worth a damn is the VW Type 2.

duurtlang > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 07:36

0

I prefer characterless old people carriers like this Ford C-Max burning to the ground.

Mikeado > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 08:28

0

They're damn slow, but some people probably like the flat-four sound.

There are other good old vans, but the Typ2 is famous. It's been a part of mainstream popular culture like the others haven't.

. . > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 08:37

1

Vans can be fun to drive, like my dad's knackered 2000 Ford Transit with half a million km on the odo. It had 85hp when new, it's rusty, has a knackered clutch, it's loud, extremely unrefined and very slow, but it's extremely fun nonetheless. Even though it's not actually that old it gives you that great "back to basics" feel. It may not accelerate or handle well, but it's still very fun. I love driving it.

SaigaShooter - He's got an Impreza > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 08:59

1

That tire change has gone terribly wrong.

deekster_caddy > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 09:24

0

Exact same thing happened to the '73 my dad owned after a fuel line started leaking. We were all on board for a 200 mile family trip delivering a couch. I was sitting in back on the couch... (this was in '78 when that was legal) when I saw the smoke pouring out of the air vents.

Back then my dad bought it because it was a fuel efficient van. And it was a little bit cool too, until it burned to a crisp. So I have had a serious dislike of these since I was 6 years old.

DoktorZombie > duurtlang 09/01/2013 at 09:50

0

This made me happy. Is that wrong?

davedave1111 > duurtlang 09/01/2013 at 09:52

0

Sell-on value aside, I'd much rather own a C-Max than a VW bus, because it's actually a proper, usable, ok-to-drive vehicle with just as much practicality as the VW.

davedave1111 > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 09:55

0

"Is it just the hippie-appeal?"

Basically, yes. It's the great irony of all the old vehicles that are iconic for having provided great value back in the day that they are now ridiculously overpriced as a result, and so offer some of the worst value on the road. The strengths the VW bus had in the first place are now mainly nonexistent, so it's pretty clear people buy them for the look and feel.

Which is, of course, their choice :)

Slave2anMG > Bluecold 09/01/2013 at 10:03

1

Another episode like this and we're gonna have to take away your Jalop card, son...

duurtlang > davedave1111 09/01/2013 at 10:36

0

They aren't really on the same page though. The C-Max is a raised Focus wagon, it's a sterile appliance to commute in or to transport your grandkids in. The considerably larger (if I'm not mistaken) VW isn't a vehicle to commute in at all, it's a practical characterful vehicle for weekends and holidays. Apples and oranges.

Bluecold > Slave2anMG 09/01/2013 at 10:58

0

I also don't have cravings for the Volvo P1800 . The Amazon looks better, is more practical and rides on the same archaic platform, which does not matter as much for a sedan, but does for a car with sporting pretensions. The P1800 price put it in range of faster, better handling, better looking, more advanced cars such as the Alfa Romeo GTV and Jaguar E-Type. That's why just 4000 were sold each year (avg.). Because they were not good enough.

However, I understand why someone would want them nowadays, and I appreciate there is a small, loyal following for the car. I have a much harder time coming to grips with the desire, and sheer size of the loyal following, for the VW Bus.

As for my jalop card, I assume you want me to hand it in now. If you come get it, I'll hand it over. I live in the Netherlands.

Yuri Correa > SaigaShooter - He's got an Impreza 09/01/2013 at 12:06

0

davedave1111 > duurtlang 09/01/2013 at 13:32

0

I haven't checked, but I think the C-Max is actually bigger. By reputation it's pretty good to drive for the type of car, and as well as being able to commute in it, you could fold the seats flat and use it as a camper.