What Kombi do I buy?

abidah · What Kombi do I buy?

My (Perth based)daughter nearly 11 has her heart set on a Kombi - we're setting out on the adventure today! The way I figure it, we have about 5 or 6 years to identify, buy and restore a Kombi. We'll start here, learn a bit and sometime soon, we'll buy a Kombi....any tips, or best places to search ? I know Kombis are highly sought after, so how do we make sure we achieve the dream? All advice welcomed! Very Happy

Diddlie

Good luck and enjoy the journey, you should have found a good one by the time she gets her learners!

Brookie

Welcome to KK- you will get plenty of advice and help on here- there are lots of photos in the gallery and elsewhere on forum to give you ideas.
Also the How I Did It forum has many good tips

----

BigBear

Firstly, start saving your pennies.. Smile

If you are handy around a workshop a solid straight Kombi with minimal rust, check the windows around the rubbers and the bottom of doors (all of them). Parts and replacements bits are available locally, nationally and Internationally (although international takes some effort).

Get all the advice you can, kombi forums are really helpful.

Time is the one thing you will need lots of.

The big decision is what do you want.. split screen, bay, wedge all have there own appeal. Panel, Ute, Dual cab, Bus or Camper. Confused

If you don't have time, you will need money to find one already done..

Most important.. don't drive it !!!!.. or your daughter will have to fight you for the keys when she gets her license.

It's not a car it's a lifestyle.
The country looks a lot better from the windows of a Kombi..

Big Bear

Rod

theres a couple on "gumtree" at the moment Very Happy

Gabbo's Run

Get someone that knows about kombis to go with you. Or have someone view for you. Good luck in your search. Smile

Shayno

Along with all the advice above I would look for a Baywindow 68-71. These will gain in value more so then 72-79 which i think is important incase your daughter changes her mind and later wants a smaller car etc. Getting hard to find but you have plenty of time. Pop tops are good for young crew as they are great to camp in reducing the temptation to drive home after a party.

Note the position of the indicators to identify a 68-71, this hippy bus is a 71 (indicators either side of the teeth, lens missing). Low front and large back lights are a changeover model 1972, some parts are 72 only which will make them harder to find in the future.

But in the end a good bus is a good bus no matter what year, this is just my opinion. I have 77 and love it!!!!

All the best

gimmerob

Hi, this is a lil scary but my 12 and 10 yr old girls wants a kombi too! We have Bessie now and the kids love her to bits! I am at the moment looking for a couple more kombis myself to keep til they're ready to drive!

Finding a kombi is a mystery.. i read somewhere in forums that the Kombi will find you. As regards to what to get and what condition, that will depend on your budget!

My budget was about $5k and after looking thru about a dozen of them, you'll quickly realize what you can get for what $$! So, the key is call up ads and inspect the van 1st hand! Getting a prestine kombi at low budget is rarer than hen's teeth! So i think a van with minimal rust, straight body and good mechanical condition will set you off on your adventures!!

Hope you'll find something that will bring lots of joy!!
Cheers
rob

Brookie

I agree Rob-they are still out there-

This is an example on a budget

http://thekombikonnection.myfreeforum.org/about2574.html

-----------

abidah

thanks guys for all the advice - we got very close to a purchase this weekend. Looked at a 73 that had isssues getting into second gear, very touchy brakes (they were either off or ON!!!!!!!), and an engine which sounds great but was covered in oil and a side door which only opens when kicked from the inside!!! Perhaps they're all this bad??

Kenny

abidah

PS That's my daughter's photo and signature...well, what do you know, she likes waffles...!

gimmerob

sounds like a kombi!! Confused

but depends on what you want to spend?!?!?!? 1-3ks sounds like the example you tested (some sellers will ask for more even in worse conditions) Sad

But if you call the seller again, i'll bet you it's most likely SOLD (providing the asking $ was around 4k)! ??

gimmerob

good luck! Very Happy

Shayno

No they're not all that bad.

gimmerob

abidah - what waffle?

Shayno - of course they're not all that bad. Depends on $$$ and patience! Smile

Shayno

Fair enough, thought you may have been serious. Patience yes, its something i dont have a lot of when wanting to buy something.

I found my bus on www.quokka.com.au sometimes there is stuff on there that is not in the paper (as mine was). There's a camper on there at the moment.

Good luck with the hunt.