Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 17:02:03 -0500
Reply-To: Todd Kaderabek <todd@LARKBOOKS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd Kaderabek <todd@LARKBOOKS.COM>
Subject: 86 Westy "Weekender"?
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
OK, here's what I'm looking at (not physically so far), and I'd like to
know the considered opinion of the list as to whether this guy has a clue
what he owns/is selling.
The ad:
86 Westy Weekender, Wolfsburg Ed For Sale
Gold 86 Westfalia Weekender, Wolfsburg Edition For Sale. 6000 Miles new:
Factory rebuilt engine; transmission, a/c, paint, tires, bearings, etc.
Asking $9200 OBO. 828-268-0454.
Please get up off the floor after reading the price, I had to go for
smelling salts myself.
My questions, and his replies:
total mileage? body about 120,000
mileage on various rebuilt components (please list)? Engine & Tranny 6,000,
Bearings, etc. about 2,000
who did the work? receipts?
Engine at Cannon Motors in Statesville; other work at independent VW
mechanic (who had worked at a dealership). I have receipts.
condition of all seats? Prior owner didn't like brown interior and changed
the fabric. It isn't as perfect as factory-made, and there are little things
like a stain, etc.
condition of upholstery? See above
condition of carpeting? Carpeting, as upholstery, was changed to a burgundy
carpet. By the way, all carpet and upholstry was shampooed about 1 1/2 yrs
ago.
everything functional on instrument panel? Yes, am just getting new fan
motor, which will need to go into the defroster airduct system.
condition of mattress in pop-top? seems fine.
condition of of pop-top/screen(s)/zippers? mold? fabric of zipper for screen
is deteriorating but canvas of poptop remains strong. We've installed a new
poptoop seal.
refrigerator functional? This is a weekender, which can go through tunnels
and carries less weight, etc., as it has no propane or any of that.
folding side table in place, good condition? Yes
clothes locker/ 3 door closet functional? Rear closet is in place and
functional
overhead storage cabinet functional? If you mean luggage rack external, yes.
fluorescent light functional? Yes, with modified over-bulb light defractor.
curtains in good condition/all there? They're okay, may eventually need some
work; a couple missing in front, but we use a sunlight blocker for the front
window anyhow.
screen for hatch door in good condition/in place? None
skylight in good condition? leaks? Replaced about 2 years ago
second 12V battery in place/good condition? age? No second battery, though
the space and connections are there.
automatic transmission? Yes.
rear air conditioning? Fully reconditioned about 1 yrs ago.
stereo system -- factory/functional? Stereo am/fm with cassette is
aftermarket, I believe.
rear intermittent window wiper ? Present and functional
power heated side rearview mirrors? functional? There and used.
power door locks including side door and rear hatch? functional? None
power front windows? functional? None
cruise control? factory? functional? None
Alloy wheels? standard stuff with silver plastic "hubcap"
205/70 R14 tires? condition/mileage/manufacturer? 1 yr new tires in
excellent condition. Cooper top of the line tires with good tread.
power steering? Yes
original paint? No, repainted about 1 year ago.
body damage? none
rust? no
transmission rebuilt? Yes, about 1 1/2 yrs ago
recent brake work? about 2 yrs ago
side door slides smoothly? yes
heat works? yes
AC? yes
optional heater? yes, in rear
anything non-functional? defroster fan in front is making noise.
anything special about the bus and/or work done on it? VW Factory rebuilt
engine. Van is Wolfsburg Edition.
what distinguishes the Wolfsburg from a normal Weekender? That, I don't
know, as I don't have a "normal" weekender!
Finally, and this is not meant as a personal affront at all, but what's your
justification on the price? I need to see the bus, and perhaps that would
answer the question, but initially it seems high, and I'd be interested to
hear the reasoning.
I understand your thoughts. My mom said we should use that figure, so I put
it out; and it does represent more in the direction of what we've put into
the machine (probably over $11,000 total within 2 1/2 years). We understand
that we may need to negotiate, but the body is sound, and the engine,
transmission, and other things mentioned are nearly new and in excellent
condition. There may be a thing here or there inside that isn't perfect, and
all that, but its a Westy in quite good shape that will last many years of
good service.
-----
later the same day, from me:
Thanks, Brian. A couple of clarifications:
I realize the weekend has a 12V/110ac refrigerator -- does yours function?
Does the odometer work?
The response:
Todd,
Actually the weekender has no frills, including no fridge (that would
require propane). It makes the unit lighter and gives much more interior
space and a larger bed in the main area, which is a big plus.
The odometer was fully serviced (no receipt on that), and the odometer cable
replaced within the last 6-8 months. We've also installed an expensive
little part that makes the engine more perky at altitudes--better shifting
and all of that, at about $120. Still, up here in Boone we find it best to
manually shift the transmissions when going uphill and the speed drops to
about 35 (and siimilarly for first gear on really steep grades). It not only
saves having to push the accelerator to the floor (probably saves gas
there), but gives you control over the van's tendency to shift up
prematurely before you're out of the hill. Van also seems to have more
acceleration around town when asked for it.
My response:
Are the cabinets original?
Can you tell me exactly what the "expensive little part that makes the
engine more perky at altitudes" is?
Haven't heard back.
*******
OK, thanks to those of you who have followed this far. I guess what I'd
like to know is:
Is there a 1986 westfalia with no refrigerator? Or should there be one?
If the bus is in good shape, I'd like to have some justification for
offering him 1/2 to 2/3 of his asking price, besides the fact that I think
the price is absurd.
The main reason I'm asking this question is that the bus is a decent drive
from here, and I don't want any more surprises, which is the pretty much how
my search is going so far.
Many thanks.
TJK
--
Todd J. Kaderabek, Director of Production
Lark Books, Fiberarts Magazine, Folkwear Patterns
50 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 253-0467, X 331
Fax: (828) 253-7952
todd@larkbooks.com
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