Buying/driving/Camping from Cali - Mexico advice please

nosfera2UK · Post by **nosfera2UK** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:04 am

Not really a tech question, but as usual multi faceted.

I have always wanted to drive down from the US to Mexico and surf all along the coast. Maybe even Central America. I have the opportunity to do so now, so am looking into the options.

1) What does one pay for a bus that might be up to the trip? Not a show winner, not a death trap, but a useable bay Westy? Where are the busses cheapest? Desert States? California? Been looking on the Samba a bit, but none the wiser.

2) Can I buy a bay in the US and insure it? How does vehicle ownership work your side of the pond? What paperwork will I need?

3) Has anyone done anything similar, driving down the coast? Anything to be aware of?

Many thanks

Bleyseng · Post by **Bleyseng** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:04 am

2. Probably California is the best place to buy a used bus. There are lots of good used ones available vs say Arizona where it get really hot and cooks the engines. Going north the Oregon or Washington the rain has attacked alot not all but alot of buses.

wildthings · Post by **wildthings** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:35 am

You want a dependable bus, that can be hard to come by. Typically people hang on to their buses until something bad happens and it is going to cost them a bundle to fix. At this point they put the bus up for sale. I am not saying to avoid a bus, but to be warry. If you are heading south for a long trip you might consider a 71 or earlier bus, they use Type 1 engines as do most all the air cooled buses in central America. 1972 and later T4/pancake engine parts are not going to be readily available south of the US border.

Buy carefully and then drive it around for at least a few months before heading out on a major trip to shake the bugs out.

Personally I think the best buses come from inland areas farther north. The sun bakes southern cars and the smog in California cities eats at them.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:03 am

For a trip like this, I'd be towing or bringing a 2nd spare engine. .. good luck charm.

I have a trailer (IRS REAR END) that holds a complete power train.

Location for a bus is ALL over the place.

I live in a part of the US known for rust and cold winters.. I've sent countless VWs to SoCal because they can't find them in as good a condition for the money.

Overall, I'd get to know a couple of yankees and have them spot and buy one for you. We commonly own multiple VWs and trade them like baseball cards.

What is your cash budget? (this will help - as little as possible is not an answer)

T.

nosfera2UK · Post by **nosfera2UK** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:10 am

@bleyseng -> Good point. Didn't think of the heat cooking the engines. Was more thinking of them not rusting which is the big issue here in the UK.

@ wildthings -> Yes, that is my concern as they are usually sold with something big looming. True, there will be more type 1's down there. I prefer type 4's but I'll have to be practicle about it.

Again time is of the essence. So might have to spend a bit more time in the US as the bugs are shaken out.

Will keep an eye out.

@MNAirHead -> LOL. Good plan! But just one more thing to get stolen when I go for a surf.

Guess a good bus can be found anywhere. Depends on what the owner has done to preserve it.

That is kind of what I had hoped to find. A fellow enthusiast, or a club, who would be able to spot a good bus.

I am probabling having to sell my 72 cross over bay single cab (ulp) and maybe even my 73 auto Westy (both right hand drive) to fund this.

I am thinking about $4000 - $5000 for a bus. But then it depends on what insurance will cost, how much breakdown cover and what the other possible costs involved with buyig one might be.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:32 am

Funny as it sounds.. I just got a call for a 69 bus... sounds what you're looking for.,

Your budget can fund a old paint bus... you should be able to get something in good driving condition.

Note It is still a good idea to bring a spare engine.. In baja there are long stretches between towns..

T.

nosfera2UK wrote:@bleyseng -> Good point. Didn't think of the heat cooking the engines. Was more thinking of them not rusting which is the big issue here in the UK.

@ wildthings -> Yes, that is my concern as they are usually sold with something big looming. True, there will be more type 1's down there. I prefer type 4's but I'll have to be practicle about it.

Again time is of the essence. So might have to spend a bit more time in the US as the bugs are shaken out.

Will keep an eye out.

@MNAirHead -> LOL. Good plan! But just one more thing to get stolen when I go for a surf.

Guess a good bus can be found anywhere. Depends on what the owner has done to preserve it.

That is kind of what I had hoped to find. A fellow enthusiast, or a club, who would be able to spot a good bus.

I am probabling having to sell my 72 cross over bay single cab (ulp) and maybe even my 73 auto Westy (both right hand drive) to fund this.

I am thinking about $4000 - $5000 for a bus. But then it depends on what insurance will cost, how much breakdown cover and what the other possible costs involved with buyig one might be.