Date:         Sun, 13 Feb 2000 16:18:08 -0600
Reply-To:     Jennifer Jones <jj1@MAIL.TDS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jennifer Jones <jj1@MAIL.TDS.NET>
Organization: Village of Waunakee
Subject:      '80 Vanagon - Final Chapter
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Well, I  poured over all the views and advice from about 50+ e-mails (I
could now publish a 1980 Westfalia Buying Guide :)), in addition to
 scouring the Internet looking at ads on similar vans for sale.  I decided
the highest I would go for this one was $4000, even if it checked out
completely clean upon inspection.  I highly doubted it would given that I
already knew at the very least it needed exhaust/muffler work and something
done about the rust under the side window (not to mention, not knowing if
the stove or fridge even worked since they'd never been used and weren't
hooked up).

So, I called the guy today to see if he'd made the inspection appt. and to
tell him I'd offer him $4000, contingent on the inspection.  He said he'd
already shown it to some guy yesterday who offered him $4350 and that he
turned it down because it wasn't enough.  He also said there was some other
guy coming over today who sounded like he was ready to write a check on the
spot.  I said that was probably just as well because I wouldn't go higher
than $4000, and he said, no way - he wouldn't go lower than $4500.

So, there we go.  *sigh*  I'm trying not to be too bummed about it.  I
think my main issue had to do with it being an automatic.  I definitely
didn't want this van for city driving, I wanted it for camping and travel.
 Some people thought there wasn't much of a difference, but most thought
I'd have less power and lower gas milage with an automatic.  If this van
had been a manual, I would have gone to $4500, but _only_ based on an
inspection, compression test, and leak-down test.  I dunno - maybe I just
gave up a great vehicle, but without knowing what a maint. check would have
found, and knowing I'd prefer a stick-shift, it just didn't seem worth it
compared to price ranges I heard about and that I saw in classifieds from
around the country.

Maybe the guy was bluffing when he was talking about these other guys who
were willing to offer so much with no inspection, but it didn't seem like
it as he was sure let me go fast enough off the phone when I said "good
luck selling it".   Are they fool-hardy souls for taking such a chance?
 Seems like it...  As many people said, it's only worth it if I think it
is, and I only planned on using this van until a better stick-shift came
along, anyway...

O Well - what can I say?  I don't feel too bad, because who knows what
pother problems may have been lurking in there, especially given the first
engine went out at 36K.  The inside sure was in excellent shape, though...

So, thanks to all the knowledge I've gained on the list over the last few
days, my partner and I are absolutely set on getting a Westie!  Of course,
what I want now is a '91 synchro Westie!  :)  Until I can afford that,
we'll probably be looking for a stick-shift camper, one that's been well
taken care of and that seems reliable.  I have a few leads on ads from the
Minneapolis area, and some list members had other suggestions of ones
they'd seen for sale.  If anyone does hear or know of one, PLEASE pass it
on...  I already had the financing set up for this purchase, so I'm ready
to buy - like ASAP.

We are musicians and ultimately would like to take the van on tour (there's
just the two of us).  I'm thinking we'll probably have to have some kind of
small trailer for our guitars, toys, and my small drum-set.  I'm assuming
I'd need a synchro in order to tow anything?

Anyway - we'll figure it out.  I'm staying on the list (even though it's
painful to read all the posts when I have no van and want one so bad!).
 Another huge THANKS to everyone that responded and took the time to share
their experience.  I have entire pages of things to look out for, to have
inspected, to do and not to do, how to drive an air-cooled automatic
without overheating, etc...  A plethora of knowledge.  I haven't been on a
mailing list since I was on the Indigo Girls list back in the mid '90s.  I
forgot how nice it is to be part of a virtual community!

I'll be writing again for tips on my next prospective purchase.  Wanted to
let you all know how this one turned out.  Thanks again,

JJ  (my name is Jennifer, but I go by JJ)