Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 20:28:33 -0700
Reply-To: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Organization: Genentech, Inc.
Subject: Still contemplating a watercooled Westfalia...
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
In the continuing saga of my watercooled van contemplation, I have
narrowed my scope to consider '86 - '91 Westfalia full campers.
Specifically, 4-spd white ones that are in excellent condition, in the
$10- 13K price range. There seem to be quite a few campers for sale in
the SF Bay Area, where I live, and some even come close to meeting my
criteria.
However, I just ran across an ad for an '89 Westfalia full camper. I
called the seller and it's an automatic, and it's blue. It has 140K
miles on it, but has had the head gaskets replaced already. I plan to
check this vehicle out tomorrow (in daylight), and go from there.
My questions for the list: Are the automatics worth considering? Do they
significantly slow an already velocity-challenged vehicle? Is the
mediocre gas mileage made even more so by not shifting for myself? How
much of the "fun factor" is detracted by the automatic? How reliable is
the automatic vs. the manual (with it's known 3rd/4th gear problem, it's
probably better!)? In general, do the automatics make sense?
(On the other hand, I live in San Francisco, and I have often wished I
had an automatic on the hills! Maybe I should consider it.)
I know the answers to these questions, I'm just interested in the degree
to which they're true. Having always had stick shift VWs, I would like
to know if the attractive price justifies compromising on a couple of
this van's attributes.
Thanks in advance!
Dan
PS: As soon as I can get my '82 Adventurewagen cleaned up, I plan to
sell it. I will likely ask in the $4-5K range, as it has a new Mark
Stephens 2.1L motor in it which is good for somewhat more power than
stock. I also recently replaced the ball joints and control arm
bushings, and the tires are fairly new, as well. Plus there's the
obvious allure of that permanently raised roof and the genuine teak
interior...
Oh yeah, and the matching brown Porta-Potti will be included at no extra
cost!
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