Should I Buy A Volkswagen Bus? - Buses By The Bridge at Lake Havasu City Arizona BBB

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My name is Dave and I travel with my dog Bella in a 1987 Coachmen Classic Class A Motorhome. This is our tour across America. So join us if you’re open to travel, fun, excitement, hiking & exploring. Wish us luck on this adventure! Maybe we’ll see you down the road sometime. Happy trails!
My channel is about full time RV Living in an older RV while keeping the wheels rolling on a budget. I do the repairs, updates and upgrades myself. I’ve become my own RV Mechanic/Medic! I seek boondocking opportunities every chance I can and power the RV with 500 watts of solar and approximately 500 amp hours of batteries. RV Resorts are just not our style!
Find us on Facebook here - / davesrvlife

[@lowlikeme]

Dude....EVERYONE wants a barn find....I was at that show, entry #514...it was a lot of fun.....I'm glad u were able to stop by...😊

[@justlookin3]

I had a 1972 ? VW van. It was a Kombi model. Bare bones. I put in a box I made of plywood so I could sleep in it. I drove it to California. They didn’t call it stealth camping back then. It was hopelessly under powered and I couldn’t do speed limit 55mph against the wind. I traded it in for a Chevy Van with a V8 engine which I drove cross country. The only knock I ever got was in Yosemite when the Ranger knocked and said I know you’re in there. Leave tomorrow!

[@NoBudgetGarage661]

2:27 the red bus was me !

[@annparham3466]

Great video! Really makes me miss all my old VW's! Still have a couple! 1969 Squareback that really needs alot of work and a 1957 oval window Baja bug with a full roll cage! It was actually built by a racing team in Arizona! It needs a motor! I know the guy that owns that double door from Tulsa! He goes to Havasu every year! He is a great guy! Known him probably 30 years or more!

[@funzeevanzee]

Great tour of the Volkswagen busses. My very first car was a red bug. Can't remember the year. Late 60s or early 70s. I was just out of high school mid 80s. Wish I remembered the year of the bug.

[@stanleyflory6702]

That is the wrong place to try to find one for sale, for sure! Go online, and open that rabbit hole! Good luck!

[@marilynrenaud1892]

What a fun place to hang out... Great video Dave, I enjoyed it. I love the classics. 😁👍

[@lindagolden9892]

Rewatching several videos of yours. I’ve never seen a VW with attached camper like that orange one; pretty cool…😎

[@destinationunknown5225]

Wow I Notice they Spray the Hell No Pund intended Out of the Skies Down There.. Cra Cra... 😉🙃

[@richardpalmanteer9798]

Wow, that was fun. My first rig was a 1962 VW Bug green with 1600cc, or the 1200cc engine don't remember off the top of my head. Was going to go with some friends of mine to Woodstock, but he had an issue and we didn't make it. Well, good luck finding a toad to pull. As always Dave and Bellia, "Enjoy the Adventure." 👏Bella!! 🤠👍✌

[@lindabishop7656]

Johnie Cash song,One piece at a time...about a car he built from parts while working in a car assembly plant in Detroit...hahaha

[@jf4872]

Best year for the Baywindow was 1972. It was the most produced year. And also first year the T-4 engine was used in US.

[@OhHellMichelle]

I will keep my eye out for you in Ohio/Kentucky Dave! Great video thx for sharing 😀

[@darrellbrixey5341]

Awesome video Dave, thank you

[@craigtarbox3499]

Nice show ! Some cool buses there .

[@ftkinsella]

Nice walkabout Mate. Have a good one Dave. Hi Bella!!!

[@DavesRVLife]

Thanks 👍

[@nomorebsforme]

Yes for cool factor. Know you will be breaking down.

[@tedbecker7484]

Thank you. I injoy stuff like this.

[@DavesRVLife]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@northernlights7118]

Excellent video - very interesting!

[@kathrynb4683]

You already have the van at home! If you towed that stripped out...what are you thinking?!? Are you losing it???

[@DavesRVLife]

My van serves a good purpose and I enjoy it, but it is not an object of my hobby. :)

[@zackmax5806]

There is a Gospel Singing Group that used to tell a story called Ralph Bennet 's Volkswagen. The name of the Group was called Wendy Bagwell and The Sunlighters. It is a funny Story. I think it is still on KZbin.

[@michaeltbennet5120]

26:58 That's a cool lesson for vehicle shopping. Myself? I don't even check the oil myself. I just can't get myself to do car stuff on my own. Oh well. ;)

[@ctap7767]

My heart aches!! I had a '68 bus for MANY years- sadly it's gone now- 😌 (long story- it still hurts my heart to even talk about it) I also had a '66 bug (I used to say they were the only sports car & motorhome I could afford when my kids were little😉) The bus was in my life until a few years ago- I REALLY miss it😣 ManyBlessings to You! p.s. I had a sticker on mine that said "0 to 55 in 11 minutes" after I put that on there, much to my surprise, most people would smile when they passed instead of flip me off😉

[@BELINDASPIRIT]

Absolutely loved this video, loved seeing all the "Beetle Buses"!! Here where I live in Australia, there are still Beetle buses but trust me, the prices that you found on those ones there are cheap compared to what can be found here!!! Oh, and some aren't even working!!

[@shadowdandanny8795]

Hey Dave.thanks for the video so I don’t have to go down there LOL. FYI,1967 is the last year off the bus(split window) 1968 and newer are vans.

[@DavesRVLife]

Thanks for the info!

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Great video

[@wormkillerdan6486]

Fun video Dave....eye opener too! $42K for a V dub van! My uncle and I built VW trikes 20 years ago. We would find the old vans and bugs and cut them up for the rear chassis. Looks like we should have been restoring them! :( But even at that time the prices for parts were going crazy, engine rebuild kits, replacement parts. But I guess that goes with everything in the last 20 years, can't afford any of those toys now a days! Be safe, have fun!

[@travel4JC]

Wow very interesting

[@jamesconway4821]

If you can find a solid one with little rust or no rust dings or dents even better if it has a decent interior and paint job. Then I say go for it. Even if the engine and tranny need work those can be easily fixed or replaced. They can cost some money upfront but will reward you with plenty of Miles of Smiles.

[@backcountryboondockers]

Got an s10 giving to us and we like it. Extended cab with a cap. But the transmission went out but luckily I have a welder with us and was able to flat tow it to camp

[@denisscott3073]

Hi dave 👍 thanks again for sharing this video update. 👋 had a 2 vw beetle .and 1 vw camper .mm. looking back which I had ket one / but that life. 👍den and sue 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🚌🚌🚌

[@darlaarnold2376]

glad you had fun just geting out and injoying your life good things are worth waiting for . no need and rushing out and getting the frist thing u see i sure u find just the one u want in time u alway do Dave hugs prayers i pray pray for all on the road almost every night u and your pets be safe , love your sweet pup pup to .

[@DavesRVLife]

Thanks 👍

[@poodleprofessor]

That's the same deflating feeling I'm experiencing now looking at Class-C's and B's. Talk about sticker shock. I'd get an older one, but not sure I want something with high mileage since I'm not a mechanic. I'm currently towing a teardrop, but thinking about the future and would want something bigger.

[@kittykat999a]

We used to take a Beetle and make Dune Buggies. You need a Dune Buggy, I think that’s be fun in Q. My brother has a repro body of a 1952 MG TD on a Beetle chassis, did it in 1978. Still has it. Fun car.

[@DavesRVLife]

When I was younger I really like the dune buggies. These days, I'd rather have a complete stock beetle or bus.

[@tomkimball9798]

As you've discovered, BBB is NOT the place to shop for a Bus. Most of the time it's word of mouth or keep your eyes wide open, develope a rubber neck style of driving the back roads of the country. Good luck! They're still out there.

[@NoName-zq6ic]

Keeps your eyes open on the way back to PA and all points in between for one where the price would be abit more inline with what you want to spend. Your in an area now where these things are priced extremely high for what they are.

[@joshuapereira3787]

GOOD MORNING BEAST DAVE BELLA KZbin CANADA ONTARIO VIDEO 🇨🇦🇨🇦❄️❄️☃️☃️🎅🎅🐕

[@TheUnderdoggie1947]

Dave there is a place between Dinwittie VA and Suffolk VA that has several acres of VW busses

[@zackmax5806]

My Mom's Uncle used to run a Garage and He fixed pretty much anything and He worked on a lot of Volkswagens. He Restored Cars from up North that had rusted Bodies and Good Engines. He is Dead now, but He used to Have a Great Big Mercy Monarch. I don't remember what Model it was, but it was a really Nice Car for The Times. Gas was really Cheap back then and I am sure that it had a Huge V-8 Engine in it.

[@poodleprofessor]

Interesting!

[@justmeandtheDogg]

I have a ? Dave at our age do we really want a project if you do I'm proud of you... we've worked all our life's it time to just have fun and experiences

[@DavesRVLife]

It's not work if you love what you do! :)

[@helenzapata6154]

YES !!! get a BUS we used to have one my parents got all ten of us siblings in it we would go to the coast ( California) Santa Cruz etc.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Happy Bus hunting... the prices are so crazy high.... better off finding one in somebody's back yard... Seriously!!

[@johnransom4485]

In 1971, I took a break from graduate school and bought a 1969 VW bus ($1,750). Took the seats out, put two fold-up aluminum cots in, make curtains for the windows and lit out with my wife on a trip around the US, camping out of and sleeping in the bus. Left with $600 on a $10 per day budget (includes gas) for two months. Came back with about $100 cash and about the same amount charged to our credit card. Great memories. Traveled 12,500 miles...out west via the southern route through the Big Easy, TX and the Big Bend area, Las Vegas then to LA, up the Pacific coast through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle to Vancouver, BC. Across to Calgary, then down to Salt Lake City, east to SE Minnesota to Chicago, down to St Louis the back to Athens (yes I'm a BULLDOG...GO DAWGS). Had stored our maps, diary (including what we had seen/visited, the route we took, expenditures and morning cash remaining), camping gear and other items in the barn here at our home. In 2004, a fire totally destroyed the barn. Fortunately, we found the color slides in a storage area in the home we have lived in since 1982. I hate I don't have the details of the trip to review here in my retirement years but truly glad we were able to take the trip in the first place. Thanks Dave for rekindling these memories.

[@genesiesky3756]

Dave. Loved seeing the VW buses. Check out the VW bus collection of the comedian Gabriel Iglesias.

[@jamie-r2034]

Should you buy one? Absolutely!!! I was looking at one but then backed out about 5 years ago because I thought $5,000 for by my bus was too much. After a week of thinking about it, I went for it. It's been one of the BEST things I ever did. It was fun to work on and see the progress from when I bought it to now. Thankfully I bought it when I did because my $5,000 bus in it's condition back then would be easily a $12,000 bus now. After I put money into it, replacing all mechanical parts, rebuild the trans, etc it's now a $20,000 bus & will hopefully be passed down to my kids when I'm gone. I can't go anywhere without hearing stories from people, pictures being taken, and it brings so much joy to people. At 15:10 that's actually a child cot that goes over the front seats. Kids can sleep there but lots of people use that area for storage. As far as the bed goes, the back seat folds out and aligns with the rear cushion behind the back seat. Edit: The newer buses you were talking about are "bay window buses" - the "early bays" are 69' - 72' (turn signal lights are down low) & "late bays" are 73' - 79' (turn signal lights are square and beside the air vents in the front). Early bays also have the small taillights and late bays have bigger rectangle taillights. 1972 has some variations though since this was the year they changed styles & have both some early & late bay things - some have the low turn signals but big taillights in the back. There are many differences them but at the end of the day, they are all awesome!

[@robertjean659]

Split windows are great, but in australia they bring around 80-100k aud for a good one. 🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@vandafedyszyn4612]

I’ve had 3 they can be money pits please be careful lots of love from the uk❤

[@vandafedyszyn4612]

My last on was a Devon moonraker air cooled 1980 loved it ❤

[@toddjohnston4788]

Learned how to drive in a 65 camper my dad bought...it had a tent that connected to the double opened doors..fun to drive until a semi passed on the highway....then it was white knuckles for a newbie 😀

[@mojavemike6522]

If parts are not difficult to get, go for it.

[@jamie-r2034]

Almost every part is readily available.

[@evelynnewman1972]

Dave, if you are truly interested in a bus, check out the channel DREW'S LENS. He has one he built out and drove on a cross country trip. He has a contact or two in the "needs a little love" ones. Just a thought. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

[@drkwolfhere]

Have you talked to blue van Dan..he had a couple shells and part ones in cali. When he moved he parked them at a buddies house not sure if he still has them..but could always ask.

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

I loved my vw bus. Go for it. Loved my bug too. Wish I still had them. They were a 62 bug and a 64 bus not camper but we had a vw tent attachment for camping. Bring back those old days.

[@dave134061]

still got ours worth more than a pension lol been in the family from almost new never been welded 1500 ac motor last of them and 12v elec

[@martyvanduzer9263]

Those VW busses are very popular, I think you'd make some money on the flip.

[@happycamper608]

1967 was last year for split window. There’s a VW bus graveyard outside ft worth.

[@jackie6582]

I love a beatle

[@arthurjesson5288]

well i wished i would have met you my son and i were there sat at around 1:00

[@Ellyfromhereandthere]

My father was.killed.in a VW bus in 1965, when I was 2. Nothing in the front for.protection. So I have a distain for them. But you do you Dave. You do it so well. Be safe. And 🧘🙏🏻🌎☮️

[@DavesRVLife]

Sorry :) ....understandable. Thanks!

[@Ellyfromhereandthere]

@@DavesRVLife maybe get a toad. The motor in the coachman seems strong you could probably pretty much tow what you want. Well within reason of course. 🧘🙏🏻🌎☮️

[@suesokoloski6644]

If that’s what you’re really looking for it’ll come be patient! 😎

[@weswalker1208]

You might have made me a fan of the Vans I mean buses

[@zackmax5806]

Energizer Battery Bought His House and His Original Garage. Then He got a Really Nice House on what We Call The Mack Road.

[@debraporter1797]

Hi Dave.

[@DavesRVLife]

Hi Debra!

[@Chefsantatravels]

I love VW's I've had two of them in my life I had a 62 that had no floorboards had a 2 by 4 going across when I was living in Florida and I would put my feet down and act like Fred flintstone lol then I had a Volkswagen rabbit. I'm thinking about getting a Volkswagen trike and pulling it behind whatever I get I looked at a van today but I couldn't step up into it I need something that I can walk up into anyway have fun,

[@markeast9221]

That was a fun cool walk with you through that ! Never knew that went on ! Thanks !

[@kenetic5143]

Yes you should.

[@ladfromthewoods]

I have a fondness for the old Tradesman 100's, (having lived and traveled in one in the late 70's), 3 on the tree with a 225 slant 6, so I guess I can understand folks liking the "VW bus" thing but they are definitely not for me. Sad day when they stopped making those slant 6's. Easy to work on, never fail you and one of the toughest motors, Chrysler ever built.

[@Tatiacha]

most of them were on the rough side, apparently, no one believes in paint, lol looked more like a vw salvage yard. 42 grand should have at least been showroom perfect, people are so delusional about old cars sometimes.

[@RippSnortin]

An enthusiast gathering is not a good place to get a deal. You need to find someone tired of the project or needs to put food on the table. Just wait a few months. Will be plenty of desparate people who will need your help.

[@exploringrvdude7817]

I actually passed by that on my way down to Quartzsite but was tight on time so didn't get to stop and explore.

[@michaelboudreau1441]

Nice video, Dave. I think you would be better off with a trailer. I was thinking, beside a place to put your tools, it could be a place to mount another fresh water tank, and maybe a black/grey water tank. That way you could stay out longer. Also, have you ever looked into those pickup trucks from china, that sell for about $2000? It comes to you in a crate.

[@alphpup3281]

If you want a runaround and somewhere to store tools, why not buy a small van like a ford transit connect?

[@FOLLOWJESUS-fg8hs]

Hi Dave an our girlie Bella!!!! I would enjoyed a peek in the camper one. Boy I bet it was cute. I know you will have a fun time bringing one back to its glory!! As you have with your RV. Keep doing you my friemd. Give Bella lots of love hugs for me. Here in NC

[@DavesRVLife]

Thanks so much! :)

[@russellsnyder5630]

I think a Nissan hard body truck 4x4 would be a good tow vehicle

[@allenmaner6616]

Well Blue Dan Van has been driving his Ford van awhile heavy on the Ford.

[@DavesRVLife]

Dan's van is a Dodge. :)

[@jonv1691]

@@DavesRVLife yes it's Dodge, BUTT ya gotta no, Dans Blue van wishes it was a Ford, yet would settle no being a chevy

[@eliciamccoy3326]

I saw 3 vw two for 4k and one for 2500.00

[@eliciamccoy3326]

I just looked up 3 vw bus in my area that need work highest price was 4,000.

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

What area would that be please?

[@eliciamccoy3326]

@@TreeLBollingTreeMan Arkansas

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

@@eliciamccoy3326 Thanks, that pin-points the area real good seeing that there's 53,179 square miles in Arkansas.

[@billcochran4072]

My brother and I both had a VW bus in the 70’s and I drove both of them thousands of miles. If you like to tinker with things, they are the perfect vehicle but their reliability (as with bugs) are pretty low. As pricey as parts are these days, domestic and Japanese car parts are high enough not to mention VWs. In this world now where people are in such a hurry to get somewhere, you’d get run off the road in a bus, even on back roads. They are cool but grossly underpowered and in an accident, there’s nothing between you and the vehicle in front of you, they wouldn’t be so light to tow either.✌🏼

[@DavesRVLife]

You make very good points, and I agree except for the last one. The are quite light to tow compared to most vehicle being towed these days.

[@billcochran4072]

@@DavesRVLife most importantly, I enjoyed your tour through the VW van rally, it brought back some good memories. I admire your mechanical savvy, something I truly lack. Thanks for ALL of your great videos!

[@Camp_Runamuck]

Your about 15 years late to the party . Glad I bought mine back in the day before instagram made them so hip

[@organican]

Proof of the ol' adage: "one man's junk is another man's treasure" ..... For your sake, I'm glad you didn't find your 'treasure'

[@DavesRVLife]

For my sake? You're glad I didn't find the next object of my hobby?

[@organican]

@@DavesRVLife lol.. Nah, I just don't wanna see you suffer the misery that often accompanies the misadventures of maintaining and driving an antiquated heap of moving parts..... I care about you, man!

[@carpenterhelperx1482]

🇺🇸Hey, Dave and Bella; Keep On; Keeping On! Yeah, old VWs are a good choice; they always appreciate in value. I like Chevy Corvair Vans and Ford Econolines, also. Don't overlook junkyards, which will be your best bet. I appreciate your thought process, of fix, repair, and respect, of the old classics. GOD Bless

[@DavesRVLife]

Thanks! I'm also a fan of Corvairs, I had a 1966 2door hardtop 4 speed! :) and a 1965 Econoline :)

[@rbsamar]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesyhalostar]

Just say NO

[@happycamper608]

I saw a 1969 model in pigeon forge last summer and it was nice. $40,000. C as n they be flat towed?

[@Watfordfc2030]

Here in U.K. we call them the vw camper . The really expensive ones are the split windscreen models . Very expensive here aswell . When you said vw bus I had no idea what that was lol then I see it and yes vw camper 👍

[@flipgalrn]

❤❤❤❤

[@Dave-zl2ky]

Certainly

[@donnac.1609]

A VW bus Camper might be a good idea! Could be used for service, and you and Bella could camp in it if ya wanted or needed to! A win win! Wonder if they are easy to tow? You might find a lonely VW bus in a barn somewhere while traveling! That would probably be the best buy if you want to do all the fixin'!

[@ot6662]

All easy to hot wire....I did get it back..messed up ..sold same bucks ...!!!!???

[@trevorpat-lifeontherun]

👍

[@mucuslegg1202]

really enjoyed this video

[@onrycodger]

Wow! I've never seen that many VW "buses" in my life. Cool 😎 video👍

[@DavesRVLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@terrymurphy4177]

Finish the Coachman 😎

[@DavesRVLife]

The big stuff is done, what remains is rainy day projects. I need fun stuff to do! :)

[@pamhutzell8268]

I need a car , mine is running but has 153000. And all used cars are about 8 to 10 thousand and they have more miles then mine.

[@NoName-zq6ic]

I know what your saying. Wasn't but 5 years ago 10K buck would bye you a very nice used vehicle in the 50/75k mile range. Hopefully you can keep yours going for awhile and maybe these prices will taper off some.

[@timothykosmoski5690]

Nice video Dave… Yeah the Volkswagen buses are very expensive the 23 window Volkswagen bus ring in $24-$50,000… Crazy I’ve had a lot of those in my time I have a 57 Volkswagen bus when I was married to my first wife and I actually lived in it so I’ve done this living vehicles 40 years ago and didn’t even know it… Be safe … Talk soon… Tim and Jill

[@barackmycat9448]

Wow lots of nice rigs there. The buses are expensive alright.

[@jackie6582]

🙋‍♀️🌻

[@joewebb4836]

oval windows are safari.

[@Nivasi]

the split window Volkswagen was not a single model year. The split window was offered from 1939 until 1952- we have a VW connection, so if you're truly looking for one.. send me msg. I'll send you name & digits :) Hey don't forget to contact Paul Berger aka Bread Trucker - he's VW dude

[@DavesRVLife]

I'll talk to you when I get back to PA. I have been considering Paul's orange Beetle.

[@yvonneshoffner6168]

I liked the first one we saw. The blue and white one.

[@jillipepper5353]

My sister used to have a VW bus, she and two friends spent about 6 months in Florida partying mostly🤣😂. Then the computer died in it , searched a new one down and my Dad installed it but she eventually sold it. It was one of the green pop tops with all the original interior but that was in the 80’s. She has great memories though and that’s what counts. She flew to Florida yesterday to go visit friends and go to a Jason Isabel concert and enjoy a change in weather. My ex husband and I had a couple of the VW buses back in the day, also used to make dune buggies out of old VW’s too. Hope you find what you’re looking for.🤞🙋🏼‍♀️🥰

[@peterwaroblak166]

I don't think that it was a computer that dad replaced in the 80's

[@jillipepper5353]

It was probably the 90’s , I remember being amazed it had a “computer” in it. I was trying to figure out the date by the age of my sister and my kids.🤣😂🤣. They lived in the countryside quite a way from the city where I lived so I was the one who had to call tons of places and it was called a computer .