Hi Tim,

You're going to get various opinions ... and certainly not all will be in
keeping with YOUR wants and needs.  That being said ....

I would go for the '87 and install a 2 person middle bench seat.  The ones
made for Westies have "tilt" backs which allow easy access to the rear seat.
They slide out easily for camping and can even be used at the campsite as a
couch outside the van ... especially if you also have a side tent.  They can
also be slid in as rear facing.

My '85 Westy had the tracks in the floor when I got it and about a year
later I found and purchased a matching tan seat for it.  It sure does make
it more versatile.  Now I don't "have to" use my '84 7 passenger when I take
company about for tours, shopping, etc.

Vanagons are special breed with special needs and you almost have to have
some mechanical skills ... or the ability to develop them in order to own
one without spending something akin to the national debt on repairs by
"others".

Mike
'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy

I am looking into buying a VW van and presently have 2 possible choices.
A 93 EuroVan MV vs 87 Westy camper.
They both have ADs and DisAds.
A camper woulld be totally cool but does not fit my family perfectly as
we will be 5 in Feb (this means 3 in car or booster seats) and tracking
down a rear facing jump seat in Canada may be tough. The camper has over
200 000 KM but had the engine rebuilt 5000 km ago and for roughly
$10000US seems a fair price.

The MV (short one seat for some reason) holds 6, has a pop top, 129000
miles, appears to be in mint condion and expected to cost about 8000US$
but will have to be imported into Canada and will require minor work
(change odometer and install day time running lights) and be dinged by
15% TAX to get it across the border and