VIVID VANS

Lachlan Maclean

★★★★★

a year ago

It would take a page to explain what is special about Vivid Vans, but I’ll just say this: there is a serious need in Vanagon repair/restoration for a shop that operates with the passion and attention to detail that Vivid does. They’re not shying away from the little things and details that will make a van safe, functional and unique. They don’t skip over issues for the sake of turning around vans at scale. Nathan and his team communicate well, they know your name and which van is yours and they think about these projects when they go home at night…and they keep it fun. Whether it’s a small fix or a full restoration like mine was, Vivid applied a level of attention and investment that I wasn’t sure existed anymore. Running with the big dogs was a pleasure, I’ll be back again and again.

Lidia Rico

★☆☆☆☆

10 months ago

I brought my 1985 VW Westfalia to Vivid Vans after being told by them that I had a blown cylinder. The shop strongly recommended upgrading to a 2.1L engine, presenting it as a more reliable solution. The replacement engine ran poorly from the start—rough idle, reduced power, and ongoing oil and coolant leaks. I’ve had to add about half a liter of oil every 100 miles, which is deeply frustrating for what was described as an “upgrade.” Compression numbers were also lower than on my original engine, which makes me question the quality of what I received. The original quote was around $5,500, but the final bill came in at over $7,500. Some of the added charges weren’t clearly explained. I also discovered an error in the tax calculation—when I brought this up, they acknowledged it and did refund me about $200. I appreciated that correction, but it didn’t change the overall outcome of the job. When I voiced my concerns about the engine’s condition and performance, I didn’t feel they were truly heard or taken seriously. That was the most disappointing part—feeling dismissed after spending so much money on something that didn’t meet the promised standard. I’m writing this not to attack the business, but to share my experience so others can approach with caution. Get everything in writing. Ask detailed questions. Consider getting a second opinion. I wish I had… I regret every day :( my poor van…

John Haskins

★★★★★

11 months ago

She's purring like a kitten after they did their magic. I am super stoked with the job they did. They took the extra time and effort to complete the work even staying after hours to make sure everything worked the way it should. Each and every van is unique and they treated my van with that mindset. Highly recommend!

Jim Davies

★★★★★

a year ago

Nathan at Vivid Vans has done a remarkable job on our Westy, from new canvas and headliner, steering linkage, master cylinder, sliding door panel, etc. They have been prompt, efficient, and very friendly. We'll have them do more work.

Remy Franklin

★★★★★

a year ago

This is the place to get your Vanagon serviced in Santa Cruz! Nathan, Dana and Pau are super knowledgeable mechanics and great people. They did an engine swap on my ‘83.5 Westy and I’m really happy with the result. They’ve also done other work on my van and are generous with giving me advice for projects I DIY.

Sam Barber

★★★★★

a year ago

I recommend Vivid Vans to anyone who has a VW Vanagon they care for (like I do). They are honest, communicative, and detail oriented. They “get it” and understand the van ownership journey with its blood, sweat, and tears. Since bringing my van here, I understand it’s mechanical health more than I did before, which gives me more confidence to take it out on trips and enjoy it. Nathan and the team gave me the information I needed to make informed decisions, and it is clear that they care about what they do, their customers, and their vans. Thanks guys!

Greg Eckstrom

★★★★★

6 months ago

You can trust Vivid Vans with Your Westy. I cannot say enough good things about Vivid Vans and Nathan and his crew. I brought in my 1985 Volkswagen Westphalia, which had a mix of old issues and modern upgrades I was hoping to tackle—Nathan and his team knocked it out of the park. Here’s what was done: Engine & Performance: I had a persistent hesitation/surge around 1500 RPM under load. They diagnosed and resolved it by testing the engine management system—O2 sensor, airflow meter, the works. They replaced the old fuel lines in the engine bay with a metal firewall adaptor, added aluminum fuel rails, and resealed the oil pump with a new GW cover kit. They also swapped in a low-temp thermostat and radiator fan switch—now the engine runs cooler and smoother than ever. Front End & Suspension: Vivid Vans overhauled the front end using a Burley-spec kit. New upper/lower ball joints, tie rod ends. They hey upgraded my tires from the tired old 14” set to a new 16” set which feel so much better on the road. Interior & Shifter Work: This van was originally a manual converted to automatic (not by me) and the wiring was a mess. Vivid Van rewired the automatic shift column back to proper OEM specs and replaced the neutral safety switch. They also replaced the missing blower fan knob and installed interior lights in the heater panel and shifter column. Everything now works as it should have from the factory. Off-Grid Power Setup: Vivid Vans added a full auxiliary battery system with a 100ah lithium battery, Renogy DC to DC charger, and a 100W roof-mounted flex panel. The system is well integrated, efficient, and ready for off-grid camping. Fridge & Solar Setup: They installed a Truckfridge and trim kit that now runs off the solar install. It’s clean and functional (way better than the old propane fridge), and makes carrying food and beverages for our road trips much easier. Awning & Pop Top: They installed a Fiamma 8-foot awning with a triple mount setup—rock solid and perfect for camping. They also replaced my seized H-bar (which was damaging the pop-top) with a refurbished unit. Huge difference in ease and function. What sets Vivid Vans apart is their integrity and expertise. They don’t just fix what’s broken, they upgrade with thought and care, always keeping function, originality, and your goals in mind. Nathan’s communication is excellent, pricing is transparent, and his love for these Westy's shows in every detail. If you care about your Westy and want it done right go to Vivid Vans. I drove away with a van that runs and looks great. I’ll absolutely be back.

Matt DeGiovanni

★★★★★

7 months ago

Great work and done super quickly. Was having some clutch issues and had tried a lot of things without much success. Vivid was able to sort it with a custom pin for the slave cylinder and got it back to me same day. Highly recommend.

matthewevanread

★★★★★

7 months ago

Have an 87 Vanagon and blew some belts on the way into a weekend in Santa Cruz. Vivid was recommended by my home shop and they earned it. At 4 pm on a Friday they stepped up and saved my ass big time. Diagnosed the problem fast, fixed the issues, and got me on the road for a very competitive hourly rate. Obviously they're enthusiasts and I'll feel a lot more confident driving into SC now knowing theyre there.

Jerry Abreu

★★★★★

2 years ago

The guys at Vivid Vans are the real deal. Met with Ralph and Dana originally and they were extraordinarily patient and helpful in answering my questions. I came back a week later since we bought a new Westy and I brought it in for a quick check. Met Ben and Ralph both of them were just super cool and looked over the van and they found a couple minor issues and addressed them for me so quickly. I can’t say enough good things about this shop. They have earned my business for life. Excellent shop for anything and everything VW Vans you will need if you’re in the vicinity of their shop I would highly recommend them. You won’t be disappointed. These guys live and breathe V-dub Van Life. From repairs to restoration they do it all and know it all.

Kevin Wade

★★★★★

3 years ago

Very happy to have these guys in the area. Brought my van in for a high top install after struggling to find anyone who would take the job. Clean work, easy to work with and the whole crew know the vans inside and out. Highly recommend for anyone needing work on their VW

Ahleen Lupo

★★★★★

a year ago

After having my van rebuilt up in the Bay Area with a Subaru engine, I was experiencing several strange occurrences that seemed too confusing for the people who actually rebuilt it… and then I found VividVans… After a couple days, they addressed three serious situations with my engine, coolant system, and solar system… Now everything works perfectly… Of course we had to dress up my van with more lights super loud horns all kinds of fun new goodies… They can do it all! I highly recommend them. You’ll be glad you went there… I certainly am… And they’re super nice people too!

RL DK

★★★★★

10 months ago

Great service! Great people! Great communication! Nathan and his staff replaced the steering rack bushing on our Westfalia on short notice and at a much better price than the mechanic I normally go to. If we don’t live so far away, I’d switch to Vivid Vans permanently.

Bruce McFarland

★★★★★

8 months ago

I needed some front end work since it had only partially been done during major paint and interior restoration work. Nathan and his crew were super helpful and explained the various trade offs between rubber and polyurethane bushings since some of the partial work used poly bushings. They also explained in detail all of my questions concerning the T3 since I inherited this and have had 3 T1's and a T2. They also did a general overall inspection and pointed out a number of minor issues that I hadn't noticed yet. Addressed everything in the time frame from the original front end only work estimate. I was stoked with the work and thought the pricing was very reasonable.

Rebecca Mathis

★★★★★

a year ago

It is my pleasure to write this review for Vivid Vans of Santa Cruz. I truly appreciate your business expertise and attention to detail and giving an EXTENDED LIFE to Marco's beloved 1987 VW Vanagon. Thank you, Nathan, for being so patient with me in explaining in detail the work needed to install trans and cooler, radiator, fuel tank repair and so much more via long distance calls and emails. Awesome team effort - Tim, Dana, Chica and Pau. Next time I'm in Santa Cruz visiting Marco I'll stop by and meet everyone.

Bryan McQueen

★★★★★

3 months ago

Great experience with a pre-purchase inspection. Top notch folks with a wealth of knowledge, and just feels like a good team.

Jon Free

★★★★★

9 months ago

Brought my Auto to these folks and they did a great job. They were very thorough and charged a fair price. I would recommend them to anyone looking to get their van taken care of!