VW westfalia/vanagon/camper?
 

I am currently highly considering buying a VW camper van (ok, I've been looking at them for about a year now) but I've never had any hands-on experience with one. I've only driven one once (I'm a valet so it wasn't for any significant distance...or speed) but I really liked what I saw. Family members have warned me against it's relaibility and constant maintance, but they themselves have never owned one. So, does anyone know anything about the VW camper from around 86' to 78' or anything about rebuilt/replaced engines in earler models?

-EDIT-

Oh yeah, and this isn't just 'I'm thinking about it'. I'm selling my motorcycle tomorrow.

They are somewhat reliable, but you do have to monitor maintenance pretty frequently. Ive driven a few, and they definately arent fast or agile, but u do get alot of looks if you have one it restored condition.

I've had friends that have owned other VWs in that same time frame and the big thing seems to be maintenance. If you don't keep up with it, it will have all sorts of problems; however, you keep the maintenance in check, it'll run forever.

Of course, this seems to be a typical trait with any German car.

Have you used Google to search for problems with the vans in that time frame? If you find a forum for VWs, they probably already have a list of everything to look for when buying one.