I hesitate to post again regarding my original message because I see I've started a war between two people both with very strong opinions; but I will ask a follow-up. I appreciate any advice, and will take in all opinions before making a decision, but please let's not take things too personally.
Unfortunately, aside from vanagon.com, I haven't seen a usenet newsgroup for both air-cooled and water-cooled Vanagons, and one of the things I am trying to decide is whether to buy air- or water-cooled. One of my choices other than the diesel is a 1982 air-cooled Vanagon Westfalia with no auxiliary gas heater, and apparently with factory a/c (has control knob on dash and evaporator where cabinet would be) but a/c not working now.
A brief history of my VW experience: since 16, two A1 Rabbit diesels, all the rest gas: A2 Jetta , Quantum wagon, Quantum syncro wagon, Thing, 1987 Vanagon Westfalia, 1998 Mexican air-cooled Beetle. So I have some experience with varied models.
My Vanagon has oil leaks, low compression, needs exhaust, and didn't pass emissions test. Also windshield leaks and has a few electrial issues. So it didn't seem prudent to keep putting money into it, because it's not even a pop top, which would be my ideal. So now I'm looking into any model of pop top- gas or diesel, air or water cooled. The reason I'd shy away from a gas water cooled is that I've seen or heard of so many with coolant and oil problems. But I've got used the decent horsepower from mine. I don't HAVE to have the power, but I do like to drive 65 to 70 mph on the highways while travelling to my camping destinations.
So I have narrowed my search down to a handful of choices: the diesel camper, a 1982 air-cooled 3-speed automatic, or possibly a bay window Westy. My question is how would power compare between among those engines. I have been told that the 3-speed auto in the Vanagon is about as slow as the diesel.
Thanks for any input.