HATERS BE HATIN

[Cavcraft]

BUT (and I know I've suggested the prices are crazy in the past) what really is wrong with VW Campers? The more I see them, the more I like them and whilst there undoubtably is some form of 'scene' attached to some of them, I reckon they look class. I expect they're wheezy, noisy, and slow but they're an old design and not meant to be a sports car...

 

Reasonably (compared to others) priced holiday fun...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-T2-early-bay-w ... 1c1b67b4be

 

Class in a glass...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vw-splitscreen-ca ... 415964eb35

 

Love this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-1967-split-scr ... 19c52a73a5

 

And this could be a lot worse...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-T2-Bay-Window- ... 3367b13cc1

 

Anyhow, you get the idea. I know there are alternatives (Commer, Mk1 Transit, CF) and they probably all have their own mertis but are VW Campers so bad and is twattish to like them or own one?

Feel free to add other suggestions of cars that have had a bit of a bashing, possibly because they're so popular. I'm thinking Mk1/Mk2 Escort and the like.

[Pete-M]

I like them. To look at.

 

The old Type 2 bus is one of those things where the slinging a load of not very good bits together creates something a bit special. Not fast, not comfy, not that good on fuel, nor reliable, but I'd still choose one over a Commer or Badfraud CA.

 

They're quite good fun to drive, in a perverse kinda way.

 

I've never understood the need to be angry at something because it's good and happens to be popular. I don't understand the screams of 'scene tax' when it comes to good examples of something that a lot of people would love to own, it's not 'scene tax' at all, it's supply and demand. Simple.

 

How many people do you know who'd love a nice Type 2 camper, but who're not really 'old car people' so they'd only want a perfect one - but they'd be willing to pay new car money for it? I know a fair few folks who'd pay £20k for a properly sorted T2 camper, but who'd want it sorted to make it as reliable as possible with decent rustproofing etc.

 

Same with Mk2 Escorts. If a mint Mk2 RS2000 appeared in the autotrader for £3500 the sellers phone would explode within nanoseconds. The phone will ring off the hook for one of those at £7k, so wtf shouldn't people ask that for 'em?

[Shep Shepherd]

They're okay, but I'd rather have a mark 1 Transit

[Barrett.in.the.USA]

Want me to pick you up a splittie over here? I reckon they can be had much cheaper, though I have no proof of this.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I'd prefer this.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Seat-Terra-Diesel ... 0686278114

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

It's all to do with their prices...like we were talking about the RWD Escrots and previously the Minor, they're just too bloody expensive for what they are. That Terra, OTOH, is marvellous!

 

I have no doubt that I'd hate every minute of VW campervan ownership, but that has nothing to do with it specifically being a VW- I can't imagine I'd find an old Transit or Bedford or whatever any less hateful.

[Negative Creep]

I'd rather have this

 

[hairnet]

them split alike would be a larf but

 

 

type 2 common

[shite_meister]

it's not 'scene tax' at all, it's supply and demand. Simple.

 

This is spot-on, whilst there are plenty of wankers in the VW 'scene' the same can be said for most things in life let alone a particular type/brand of car. I don't mind patina but I'm not into the 'lets remove the paint to make it rust on purpose to try and be cool' look, to me its false and makes no logical sense but then if I want to buy a mint Tagora and crush it into a small cube thats nobody's business but mine really. Those that hate the idea that escorts and the like are making big money are just pissed off that they didn't buy one when they were just an old car, I was offered a mint mk1 RS2000 for £5k about six years ago, I didn't want it so didn't buy it then shortly afterwards they went mental but thats the choice I made, its about being astute I guess.

 

I try not to have an opinion on something without having first-hand experience and with old cars you can have several models of the same spec and they all drive differently, my Mini drives alright but I've driven some horrors, same with VW T2s, mine was ok but I've driven some that were just shit...obviously not maintained, for a 35 year old van I'd say mine was brilliant actually, the air-cooled 1600cc engine isn't ever going to be economical and in a van its not quick but capable of being used as its maker intended...even after all these years. Having driven several 'Splitties' I'd say the bay window type 2s are much nicer to drive.

 

I've never driven a Commer or an old Bedford, I like the look of them but several friends who have driven them when they were newish have said they were pretty crap compared to the VW.

[Father Ted]

I like them. To look at.

+1

Prefer the T25 to drive rather than the T2. The T2 isnt rapid and steers like a cow. They do however look nice, have a good parts supply and are quite well thought out inside.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Of course it's all supply and demand...There's nothing wrong with that, just as there's nothing wrong with not wanting to buy something at a particular price point.

 

In fact, they can all rise to eleventy hundred million billion. As long as 605s, Granadas, Omegas, Safranes et al remain cheap, I'm not bothered!

[shite_meister]

I like them. To look at.

+1

Prefer the T25 to drive rather than the T2. The T2 isnt rapid and steers like a cow. They do however look nice, have a good parts supply and are quite well thought out inside.

 

Ah but the the T2 has a steering box which will never be as nice as a rack & pinion set-up of which the T25 has, also vehicles with steering boxes should be checked for adjustment periodically or they will 'steer like a cow'

[Pillock]

I'd like a early bay with a slightly hot motor - not mental, but a 2276 on twin carbs would keep it shifting nicely.

[CreepingJesus]

After I missed out on a tolerably rough T25 'bus for £600, about 10 years ago, I've given up on the idea. I do quite fancy finding out for myself what all the fuss is about, but I'm not prepared to pay the vast amounts required to do so.

I realise it's supply and demand, basic Adam Smith stuff; but I can't help but feel a little narked that something I could, and would use every day is pushed out of my modest reach, by peeps who use them as weekend playthings for half of the year. Bit like the housing market in some bits of Fife I wouldn't mind living in!

As it goes for any old car which carries a bit of race/rally pedigree (or a lot in the case of the Mk1/2 'Scort). They were mostly based on cheap everyday cars, but now the prices are in the realms of bottom end Italian exotica. While I realise that the 6- and 7-figure sums commanded by top end Ferraris etc., are pushed by the uber wealthy flashing cash, and playing a little game to themselves; I fail to see how that mentality can ever apply to something so ordinary.

I don't hate people for what they can or can't buy; I'm a petrol head through and through (my mum says so, it must be true... ), and I'll happily wander round a field and appreciate some prime autoshite, or a rare handbuilt Italian racer all the same. If people want to stop and chat about it, great, but I find bad attitude very offputting.

[shite_meister]

I may have to sell my T25 high-top camper which is a shame because its exceeded my expectations, its suprisingly smooth and quiet for a 22-year old van (mine is only the 1.9 carb petrol but they also did a 2.1 injection) although I suspect the fact its a proper fitted camper may mean it has insulation inside to make it a bit quieter/warmer. The only thing I really hate about it is the lack of power steering which was an option, in fact I'd love one of the late T25 Caravelles with all the electric bits and P.A.S like these:

I like...very much.