The "reputable" shop estimate for Buster the Bus just keeps getting crazier. Today, we’re talking about the brakes on my 1973 VW Westfalia. The quote for a brake booster alone was a staggering $3,800. Instead of writing that check, I rolled up my sleeves (and did a lot of part-hunting). I managed to do the entire brake system—not just the booster—for only $267. I’m 60 years old, I’m learning as I go, and I’m proving that owning a vintage VW doesn't have to break the bank if you’re willing to do the research yourself. In this video, I’m breaking down the cost difference and why it’s so important to get a second opinion (or just do it yourself!). What’s in this video: The breakdown of the $3,800 brake estimate. How I sourced parts for the entire system for under $300. Encouragement for fellow Westy owners to take control of their repairs. #VWBus #1973Westfalia #BrakeBooster #BudgetRestoration #BusterTheBus #WomenWhoRepair #VWType2 #AircooledVW #DIYBrakes

They told me it would cost $16,000 to get Buster the Bus back in shape. As a 60-year-old woman tackling this project, I knew there had to be a better way. Today, I’m talking about the steering coupler. The shop estimate? $900. My actual cost? Less than $50. I’m not a professional mechanic, and I’m not here to show you a step-by-step tutorial. I’m here to show you that with a little research and some grit, you don't have to be at the mercy of a shop's massive markup. I’m doing the "impossible" repairs for a fraction of the price, and I'm taking you along for the ride as I save over $12,000 on this build. If I can do this, you can too. In this video: The breakdown of the $16,000 "reputable" shop estimate. How I found a steering coupler for under $50. Why I’m choosing to do the work myself on Buster the Bus. #BusLife #WomenWhoBuild #BusterTheBus #BudgetBuild #Skoolie #MoneySavingTips #DIYOrDie

We’re taking a "mental health day" away from the 1973 VW Bus restoration! 🚌💨 While we’re saving $12,000 by doing our own repairs, we decided to spend some of that "saved" energy on one of Arizona’s most iconic hikes: Picacho Peak. If you’ve never been, it’s a steep one! Between the Hunter Trail and those famous steel cables, it was quite the workout for this 60-year-old and her boyfriend. It’s important to step away from the project sometimes so you can come back with fresh eyes and a steady hand. Beautiful views, sore legs, and a great day in the Arizona sun. Tomorrow, we get back to the bus! SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey of DIY repairs, desert adventures, and proof that life only gets better at 60! 🛠️🥾 #PicachoPeak #ArizonaHiking #VWBusLife #ActiveSeniors #HikingArizona #DesertLife #DIYRestoration #LadiesWhoHike #HunterTrail

I’m a 60-year-old woman on a mission to restore my 1973 VW Bus — without paying the outrageous $16K repair estimate I got from a “reputable” shop! My boyfriend and I are tackling every fix ourselves, spending under $4K total. 🚐💪 In today’s short, I’m talking about repairing the ignition — a small step on our big DIY VW adventure. If you love classic cars, thriftiness, or proving that age is just a number, you’re going to love this journey. 👉 Subscribe to follow along as we bring this vintage beauty back to life, one part at a time! #VWBus #ClassicVan #VanLife #DIYMechanic #WomenWhoWrench #Over60AndKillingIt #VintageCars #VWRestoration #IgnitionRepair #BudgetBuild

Think you’re having a bad day? At least your brake booster isn't filled with soda! 🥤 We are DIYing our 1973 VW Bus repairs after a shop quoted us $16,000. We’re doing the whole job for about $4,000 because ladies have to learn too! Today we pulled the brake booster and found a nasty surprise. Two things to remember about brakes: There should be ZERO fluid in your brake booster. Brake fluid is supposed to be clear/yellow... ours looks like straight Coca-Cola. If you love vintage Volkswagens, DIY repairs, or just watching a couple of seniors save a ton of money by getting their hands dirty, hit that SUBSCRIBE button! 🛠️🚌 #VWBus #1973VWBus #BrakeRepair #DIYMechanic #ClassicCar #Volkswagen #LadiesWhoWrench #Restoration

Let's talk about that mechanic quote... 💸😤 We DROVE Buster to the shop. The quote? $16,000 in repairs. For the brake booster and master cylinder alone? $3,800. After doing our own research, we're fixing the entire brake system ourselves for under $400. The "necessary repairs" they quoted? We can do ALL of it for less than $4K because there's nothing catastrophically wrong with our bus. This is why we're documenting The Buster Restoration Project - to show you that classic vehicle restoration doesn't have to break the bank. Sometimes mechanics see an old bus and see dollar signs. We see a project we can tackle ourselves. 🔧 Parts cost: ~$350 💰 Mechanic quote: $3,800 ✨ Satisfaction: Priceless 🔔 Subscribe to follow our budget-friendly restoration journey 💬 Have you dealt with outrageous mechanic quotes? Share your story below! #BusterRestorationProject #DIYSavings #MechanicQuote --- *Always do your research and assess your own skill level before DIY repairs. We're learning as we go!*

Day 1 of bringing Buster back to life! 🚐🔧 In this short, I'm tackling the first major component of our vintage German bus restoration - the master cylinder and brake booster. Working out of my boyfriend's workshop (yes, that's a helicopter in the background!), I'm getting these critical brake components cleaned up and ready for disassembly. This is just the beginning of The Buster Restoration Project - follow along as we take this decades-old VW bus from rusty relic to road-ready adventure mobile. 🔔 Subscribe for more restoration shorts 💬 What should I tackle next? Comment below! #BusterRestorationProject #VWBusRestoration #VanLife

We pulled the brake master cylinder from Buster, our 1973 VW Westfalia. This and the brake booster are the ONLY things wrong with our brakes—despite the mechanic's $3,800+ estimate to replace everything. These parts? About $400 total when you order them yourself. Here's what a brake master cylinder is, how it works, and why you don't need to be intimidated by it. Roll up your sleeves, grab a wrench, and save thousands. Following our journey restoring Buster for $4K instead of $16K? Subscribe for daily updates. #mastercylinder #brakemastercylinder #vwbrakes #diybrakes #vwrestoration #westfalia #mechanicquote #savemoney #vwbus #busterthebus #vanlife #womeninmechanics #howitworks #brakerepair #1973vw #learncarrepair #donttrustmechanics #diymechanic

The mechanic quoted us $3,800 to replace the brake drums on our 1973 VW Westfalia. We pulled them ourselves, and guess what? They're perfectly fine. This is why you can't always trust the "experts." Learn to check your own vehicle—it's easier than you think and can save you thousands. Follow along as we restore Buster ourselves for a fraction of the shop's $16,000 quote. #vwrestoration #westfalia #diybrakes #mechanicripoff #vwbus #vintagevan #busterthebus #vanlife #diymechanic #savemoney #womeninmechanics #learntofix #1973vw #brakerepair #donttrustmechanics

The mechanic wanted thousands to fix Buster's brakes. We said no thanks and ordered the parts ourselves. Today we're tackling a full brake job on our 1973 VW Westfalia—master cylinder, booster, and more. If we can do this, so can you. Follow along as we restore Buster ourselves and prove you don't need a shop to do the work. Girls, you've got this. 🔧 Part of our journey restoring Buster for $4K instead of the shop's $16K quote. #brakejob #diybrakes #vwrestoration #westfalia #mechanicripoff #vwbus #vintagevan #busterthebus #vanlife #diymechanic #womeninmechanics #mastercylinder #brakebooster #1973vw #savemoney #learntofix #donttrustmechanics #girlpower

Not your typical Christmas morning! 🎅😄 Spending Christmas at the Coach House bar in Scottsdale, Arizona – because sometimes the best holiday memories happen in the most unexpected places. Cheers to doing the holidays differently! 🍻✨ Merry Christmas from Me and the Kiwi! 🎄❤️ 📍 Coach House, Scottsdale, Arizona 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

Truth in advertising! 🚐💨... or lack thereof 😅 Slapping this slow moving vehicle magnet on Buster because let's be real – we're not winning any speed races in a 1973 VW Westfalia. But hey, it's about the journey, not the destination, right? Slow and steady wins the... scenic route! 🐢✨ 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

New place, new experience! Getting ready for my very first yoga class in Santa Rosalía, Mexico. 🌴 A little nervous, a lot excited – sometimes the best moments happen when you try something new in a beautiful place. Let's see how this goes! 🙏💫 Growth happens outside the comfort zone, right? 📍 Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur, Mexico 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

It's Laundry Day! How We Do Laundry While Sailing. We would love to get social with you. BLOG: https://gypseaexplorer.com/ Instagram: / writerjacks Thank you for being here. We appreciate you. If you dig the journey, you can buy us a coffee here: buymeacoffee.com/writerjack9

Just me, Buster, and these incredible Arizona mountains. 🌄 There's something magical about standing next to your dream van with views like this. This is what it's all about – freedom, adventure, and the open road ahead. Can't wait to see where Buster takes us next! ✨ 📍 Arizona 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

Why workout indoors when you have THIS as your gym? 🌊 Getting it in on the beaches of Santa Rosalía, Mexico – where the views are unmatched and the motivation is endless. Sand, sun, and gains! ☀️ This is what living looks like. 💯 📍 Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur, Mexico 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

The moment we've been waiting for! 🎉 Loading up Buster – our newly purchased 1973 VW Westfalia – onto the trailer to bring him home. This beauty is about to become our adventure mobile and we couldn't be more excited! Let the restoration and road trip dreams begin! ✨🛣️ Welcome to the family, Buster! 🚐❤️ 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

When you dock with that New Year energy! 🎉 This panga boat absolutely sends it onto the beach in Mexico with speed, precision, and pure joy. The way they stick this landing the energy for 2026. If this is the vibe for the new year, count us in! 🌊✨ 📍 Mexico 🎥 Me and the Kiwi

We are selling our sweet van. Details: 135K All seats removed. 4 New Tires in the last 2,000 miles. The new Bluetooth JVC radio has a CD player, and the speakers work great. Mechanically sound and runs great. Clean interior. No rust. Ladder rack on top The front and rear AC work great The exterior is in excellent condition with only a few minor dings. Conversion ready for summer adventure or perfect for an entrepreneur/business, such as a painter, mobile mechanic, finish carpenter, etc... IF you see this listing—she is available. Located in Medford.

The Hand of God in The Sea of Cortez. An amazing anchorage in The Sea of Cortez was The Hand of God. We would love to get social with you. BLOG: https://gypseaexplorer.com/ Instagram: / writerjacks Thank you for being here. We appreciate you. If you dig the journey, you can buy us a coffee here: buymeacoffee.com/writerjack9