I found a 2001 VW EuroVan for sale, so I bought it

Read more here: www.leftlanenews.com/for-some-reason-i-bought-a-2001-vw-eurovan-100906.html
I was looking for a Porsche or an all-wheel drive crossover and I ended up with a German minivan. But the Volkswagen EuroVan is a cool little rig with lots of tricks up its sleeve. Any ideas on what I should do with it? Leave a suggestion in the comments below.

[@denahom]

Best Van! I have the ‘02 Eurovan Weekender. Already crossed the country twice and on my way to Alaska. No problems.

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

Sounds fun! Perfect vehicle for that. Thanks for taking time to tune in!

[@luisdiaz-nr5qg]

How many miles😅

[@simplyseven007]

Great video. Nice tribute to Doug “quirks and features “. Clever

[@justinprice5599]

Perfect Ikea trip vehicle

[@skyking95]

I have a 93 which was made in 92! I have also set my up for camping.I have owned since new and still love it!!

[@murraybrown855]

Eurovan CV (Canadian Version) from 1994, built in’93. Body is good, mechanics are getting there (170k km).

[@skyking95]

@@murraybrown855 mind gets stored every winter. Since New it has only seen 2 winters before I started storing it for the winter. So no rust, etc.

[@loisireland3744]

I travelled around the edges of North America for one year in my 1992 Eurovan ......awesome journey ! Enjoy !

[@kimbojanbranyan6352]

Great Video. Wish i had that. Hope to get one in a few yrs. Have fun. 😊

[@teddysliftworld]

You make awesome videos! Nice Van.

[@gulfshoresjerkystore]

Great video! "MAGIC" our 2001 Eurovan is our daily driver!! love our van!

[@1234567mzt]

those are so common where I live, I used to own one as an transporter without seats in the back. But I had it with the 77 hp diesel engine.

[@ZugTurmfalke]

Yeah in Germany the T4, which this basically is I think, is still very popular. I drive a 2001 T4 and it's honestly great. It's so practical and honestly I think it's a beautiful car. Me and my family have now driven almost 412000 kilometers on the first motor and it's still running great with a chiptuned 200hp engine.

[@skyking95]

I live in the north east and you never see them!!

[@kathystevens8163]

I bought a 79 euro camper van a month ago. With a pop top, stove, fridge etc.. love it ..

[@patrickirish8110]

A truly quirky and entertaining vid.

[@LooxJJ]

No offense - my father had this van back in the early 90s (i was in my early teens)...it was badly designed van for everyday use because of it's oddness...but it grew on you. It had a character. it had a charm. I miss the van, and I miss the time I used to listen to Bobby Brown in my Walkman at the back row...

[@landyachtfan79]

EXACTLY like the one I just sold this summer, minus the Braun lift & tie-downs.

[@olukayodeokunowo4631]

It is the best van and I call it the king of the roads

[@shirakawanaoya]

Awww man so cool!!!

[@helensophia2]

Hi! If you had enough fun with that van, maybe you can pass it on to me: I'll buy it from you. It's always been a dream. Happy traveling.

[@jamitwitu]

Beautiful color

[@cherylwest2543]

I just bought a 2003 Eurovan w/15,000 on it, new tires, new air conditioner, and completely worked on engine, valves, etc. I traded my 2015 Takoma for it (only 69,000 on it). I wanted another sleep-in vehicle as I am planning a trip from Portland Oregon to Joshua Tree CA, my present home to my former home - with my Corgi Wren - in the fall. The engine is 6-cyl. and lots of zip.

[@rcpmac]

There IS a center console with cup holders right there in front of the emergency brake 4:37 . It is forward so that you can both move from front to back and rotate the passenger seat if you have that option. There are 2 additional cup holders next to the fold out table

[@nukeban2700]

Got that exact model in white, same year. Yup, AC doesn't last too long, two have died on us. Only 65,000 miles on it. Great vehicle, really enjoyed it, but nothing lasts forever.

[@1JohnGone]

I LOVE my 2003 Weekender. Named it "Dieter" bc it brings to mind a strong, competent German butler -- not as if I've ever had a butler, but you know what I mean. This vehicle loves the open road drives like a dream on the highway and with 200+ horses, stunningly good AC and smooth transmission it moves like a normal vehicle. Twisty turns on secondary roads require you to slow down a bit as it is a tad tall and naturally needs to step through turns deliberately. When I get to the campground it takes me no more than 10 minutes before I am ready to grab the fishing pole or hit the lounge chair. I look for the old school campgrounds with short driveways -- Dieter fits like a glove, and you are not parked next to a giant 5th wheeler or motorhome running a genny all night. The pop-up top has plenty of mesh windows to allow mountain breezes, and if it cools way down I close the top and hunker down on the (pull out) rock n roll bed. A midweight sleeping bag is all I ever need. The advantage of the Weekender vs. the full camper version is that you can dial in just the equipment you need for the next trip. With a full-on VW camper, you are saddled with hundreds of pounds of cabinetry, sink, stove, etc everywhere you go. Whereas the Weekender empties out in minutes, table and seats fold down, and (I place a heavy duty furniture blanket down) before loading in full dimension 4x6' sheets of plywood. No kidding. tons of room for tools, Ikea furniture kits, you name it. I have relied on Dieter for three home renovations and he has never let me down. If you are lucky enough to find one in good condition (have the transmission checked out by a pro), snap it up and thank your lucky stars. Word of thumb is that if the engine / transmission make it to 100,000 miles, it very possibly will do 200,000.

[@roma940151]

Enjoy it its awesome

[@AA-bs3iy]

I really want one of these. And i have no clue why

[@FriarAlbert]

Trust me. You’ll love it! I have a 2003 weekender. Same story. Got it from the original owner who had it for 15 years complete with maintenance records. They are out there and still reasonably priced!

[@suzukiyakudze2131]

hi there, i have 2002 eurovan gls, almost totally restored, silver color also, the van in los angeles, let me know if you want it.

[@crisdiez7077]

suzuki yakudze now much ???

[@heyvoon5776]

@@suzukiyakudze2131 I want it. I’m in Los Angeles

[@n1k1george]

I'm guessing that your AC problem may be due to the foam covering coming off of your blender box doors? I had to pull the dash and fix mine last year when bits of rotting foam began blowing out of the vents.

[@carolinehemenway6354]

I had to do that, too. Vacuumed it all out and everything “flowed” so much better! But I do have the front and back AC system separated - it kept failing and this was the only way to get it to work - and I turn it off with a switch sometimes to reduce engine load.

[@paulduncanson5831]

great presenter!

[@philippeichinger3246]

you can remove the rear shelf thing, also, the older versions have a lot more storage places, from 1990 up to 1996

[@mattb9748]

Yes - the earlier models have a glovebox (but no airbags). VW opted to couple the airbags in this with a padded knee bar for the US and Canada. The older ones also had a rear bed shelf that sat atop two cubbies. Chops up the rear space under the shelf, but things are less likely to roll around when in the cubbies.

[@Chip1189]

i have a 93 eurovan i bought it with 124000 on it and its amazing

[@billyatkinson8920]

I'm looking for one with the pop-top. Let me know if you have one. 😁

[@WhiteJaryd7]

I found one in my area with 160K miles for $4,000, with pretty good interior etc. Good deal? I want something to travel with to Colorado and back. Having a baby, it's tough to get to the back seat in our SUV's. I also love the idea of having that table/seats for when more family comes to travel with us. This would be our families 4th vehicle so it would just be as a fun travel van. Thoughts on if this is worth it or not?

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

I am in no way qualified to comment on whether a particular EuroVan is a good deal. But I will say the EuroVan would make for a great family road trip vehicle. My kids absolutely loved mine.

[@alpaljl]

Despite the horrid lack of reliability the EuroVan is the absolute best road trip automobile out there, period. My folks got one new in 2003. It's the same model as featured in this video plus the pop-top to sleep two more people. We have taken many trips in this van, near and far. The EuroVan has been a wonderful experience and still is to this day... we still can't let go of her. Transmission has been rebuilt twice. We have 160/170,000 miles on her. Sounds funny, but runs great. No HVAC whatsoever. If it's raining I have a gigantic microfiber towel in my lap to wipe the fog off the windows. What else? No auxiliary battery to power the lights, stereo, etc when the vehicle is powered off. We do have a fridge in ours, stock. Don't hit a bump too hard in ours... that could kill her. Suspension needs help. Needs TLC. I can go on forever. It's so unreliable, but so worth it!

[@thesidburgess]

@@alpaljl most reliable vehicle I've ever owned! Never broken down, 200k+ miles, and we travel full time in ours.

[@33ministries75]

@@TheDrewJohnsonExperience That's because you want them to buy YOUR eurovan

[@indian2003]

Mine has more storage spaces. 2 under the steering column, the doors , one under the passenger airbag and one huge box right under the dashboard in front of the gearshift.

[@mattb9748]

US models did not have these.

[@dominikz.1376]

I would jump in the van, put up drapes, get naked, and write "I will not idolize or copy Doug DeMuro" 100,000 times on notebook paper

[@jacksonliekmann7741]

Better first car? Or no? I live in Texas and I love SUV’s Van’s And trucks! (But I’m 14..😓😩) But just for my future. Still the van looks classicly nice! And a production Laurie!

[@felixvanstaden]

Naai

[@Maheonehooestse-HolyFireMan]

Are you living in this van yet and eating spam? Lol that would be quite the story. I can see the headlines already: "Man in midlife events trades 944 Porsche in for 2 acres and a mini van"

[@suzukiyakudze2131]

i have 2002 eurovan gls, almost totally restored, i love vw eurovan for many reasons, the top quality van out there no doubt, but i just got good deal on my dream car bmw m5, need some money, thats why wanna sell my vw eurovan that engine n transmission rebuild n many more, the van is in los angeles, let me know if you want it will go from there.

[@305377serious]

suzuki yakudze interesting, how do i contact u

[@tricko2286]

Loved my Eurovan BUT engine died @ 66K due to oil sludge issue - common to these GDI’s (make sure to research to prevent). Cost me $5500 for new engine at the time - traded it in. Wish I could have it back because had some great family memories but it was a raw design by today’s standards. VW would not assist with warranty which had just expired so I said I’d never buy another VW as long as I live. Labor rates for VW (pulling into service behind Porsche & Audi’s) wasn’t cheap either. VW is not a great company IMO (I worked at corporate VW USA) for a while after this experience and it didn’t improve my impression of the company. It’s the same German attitude of the customer caused the problem and it could never be their perfect German engineering 🙄

[@mattb9748]

These engines in these IIRC are not GDIs though. The most exotic thing on these 24V VR6s in the early 2000s was VVT. Not sure what would have caused an oil sludge issue in yours.

[@ClevelandEscape]

Bro where at in Ohio are you from??

[@carolinehemenway6354]

I have a 2000 Eurovan MV (5 cyl) I’m babying and drive EVERYWHERE. I got it at 40K miles from a military base where it had been used only for local VIP transport, so had all the records. I put about 12-18K a year on her; she’s at 170K now. I’ve taken both the rear-facing bucket seats out, which still leaves room for five people. She and I are gonna age together, but with kindness, good humor, and mindful care, we will adventure to the end as a unit! I do Ironman triathlons, scuba, and hike, and this girl goes with me filled with two bicycles, a kayak on top, sometimes an inflatable SUP, a changing or camping tent, a table, and chairs, all my gear - AND I am a member of my Community Emergency Response Team, so I have all THAT gear as well. Plus I’ve added a storage unit in the back for easy access to what I use most, and two storage carts inside, one with office supplies and one with kitchen supplies. There’s even room for going-out-at-night clothes! With a good cooler, a biofuel stove, a portable potty, an awning/tarp, and a few other amenities, she is my mobile office and emergency shelter. I do emergency and disaster preparedness so I’m at client sites where I need all my office and work supplies handy. That table is so beast! Best of all, my service dog (and HER gear) has lots of room; she can stretch out and hunt for popcorn I toss back for her. I recently relocated and added a hitch, and while the van is rated to pull 5K lbs, I respected her age and pulled less than 3K for 12 hours total, with ease and just a little huffing and puffing up long inclines. (Though the gas use skyrocketed.) She’s got a sun roof (watch that roof rack placement!) and you can get screens for glamping en plein air, and a rear-hatch awning to add another “room.” Most needed fixes have been cosmetic lately, but I can count on at least $400 every time I take her in for engine work. Every modern car costs that and more now, and for us, it’s the price of a good partnership. Most of the repairs I can do myself, especially surface repairs. I had her headliner replaced by an expert a few months ago and now I’ll repair the interior sliding door panel, which warped, plus some side molding and dings from acidic pollen and hail. I’ve had to replace small components, hoses, spark plugs, etc. Here are some other issues I’ve faced if anyone wants to know. The check engine light goes on because these models are known for failed exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Getting the EGR system fixed permanently may not be possible but its only function is to make the engine a little more efficient and protect the environment a bit more. Fueling with high-quality gas and using 100% synthetic oil helps a lot. I have to delete the code with the OBD2 before it gets inspected, and last time I had to have 50 miles on it without a code to pass, so I used super premium gas (ugh $$) and it actually went 150 before the light came on. I LOVE the transverse mounted engine; it makes the footprint so small I can park in economy car spaces, and (depending on the tires) the turning radius is enviable. Yet the interior is so roomy a 6’2” person can drive with headspace to spare, and I can transport whole 4x8 plywood or drywall panels and 12’ PVC pipe. The downside is that any serious transmission work is a truly laborious process and expensive if you don’t have a VW mechanic who knows this model. The fuel injectors are deep under the engine and alternator and, up to the year 2000, all in one panel so they ALL have to be replaced at the same time, I learned from experience. $$$ Key parts aren’t stocked most places, but the quality OEM parts market is excellent (i.e. Europarts); they take a few days to get if you don’t want to have them overnighted. Also (and I’m not sure when this changed, which it did), the entire engine relies on one single serpentine belt, which runs the AC along with everything else. If the belt or anything it runs goes, the whole system goes. I had to replace a very destroyed alternator at one point because of this and before I learned a few lessons, one of which was “replace the belt WELL BEFORE it goes bad!” The AC system is sketchy, which is true of most older VWs of all types, and the electrical system, shall we say “delicate,” so those just have to be calculated costs, added to situational awareness for preventive maintenance. I had my mechanic separate the front and back AC/electrical systems to reduce engine load when I don’t need them in the back; I can switch it off or on. I keep all the overhead lights OFF by default, too, for the same reason. The driver side panel light is a very useful substitute for OH lighting and perfect for work on the table. I just plan on certain types of known issues and keep spare parts like a belt and plugs and proper oil and coolant in the van when I travel (there’s room!). If I find OEM parts at great prices, like fuel injectors and even an alternator) about the time when she whispers that things might be on the downslide, I buy them if I can afford it. I LOVE my Eurovan. She is my traveling office and teammate, and we travel prepared for anything! It’s the fifth one in my life (my ex introduced them to me, bless him). I plan to keep her going until neither of us has an engine coil to count on!

[@kimtaylorkruse3403]

Thanks for all the extra details! Now I want to see a video review of your van and all she hauls for you. :-)

[@tikvah7772]

Just got a 93. Strip it out. Make it custom.

[@1JohnGone]

Correction: 4x8' sheets of Plywood, not 4x6'! No sweat.

[@blueveganlife4523]

Do you know about gas usage ?

[@BEKESE]

Let me know when you want to sell it. I'd love to buy it from you

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

It's going up for sale very soon. I'll probably post it on Bring a Trailer unless you make some kind of crazy offer that I can't refuse! You can email me at [e-mail]

[@gluehead6327]

I have one for sale

[@Nirvezz]

Doesn’t the roof lift up for more headspace

[@alpaljl]

Some do. Not this example.

[@ndg9367]

That would be the weekender and full camper.

[@zahracart4061]

You can sell it to me! do you still have it?

[@thesidburgess]

Welcome to the EV club!

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

Thanks! Although I've already quit the club....

[@thesidburgess]

@@TheDrewJohnsonExperience I just saw that. Shame! I have two of the same silver MV you have. By far, my favorite vehicles I've owned. Travel full time in one of them. Happy travels! Maybe you'll come back to the club one day. ;)

[@larrsan]

thats a MULTIVAN, not eurovan...maybe the name in papers is wrong but in Europe thats a multivan

[@laius6047]

It's marketed for USA as eurovan like opel and vauxhall in UK

[@crisdiez7077]

You can sell it to me 😂

[@rosefaraci1671]

How much did you pay for such a low mileage example?

[@alpaljl]

Great find!

[@bryanmunich221]

Would you like to sell it?

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

Not only would I like to, I already have! kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=im8R2UHOxLM

[@suzukiyakudze2131]

hi there, i have one 2002 gls, almost totally restored, engine trans brand new parts, video of it will come out soon,within a week or so, the van in mechanic shop in los angeles, let me know if u want it

[@Esoterre]

What to do with the Eurovan? Sell it to me. PM me if interested.

[@TheDrewJohnsonExperience]

Long gone.

[@gluehead6327]

Im in california and have a beautiful one for sale

[@user-om5tf9cp4e]

， 為什麼會來到台灣就不太一樣了

[@DanLekin]

Resell it in Germany, those are pretty expensive here.

[@jiujitsuboxer]

Sell it to me 😃

[@juniordesantana7332]

Sell it to me

[@germanboy5392]

Junk