Date:         Tue, 9 May 2000 08:54:36 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Just back from the mechanic, HELP!!
In-Reply-To:  <001701bfb9c5$26e98fc0$7225a2d1@wd1000086onem>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 07:44 AM 05/09/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>You mean to say that you bought an 18 year old van and expected to spend
>less that $1,000 to fix it up????
>
>Do we live on the same planet?
>

As I have opined before, the only way to get a vehicle to a safe and
reliable condition with a modicrum of aesthetics for less than $5000
time/money is to get lucky or verify the facts PRIOR to any offer to
purchase.

The current case is typical. Rarely is a vehicle for sale if the current
owner knows all is in good order. They are typically for sale because the
current owner knows it will cost him more than he wants to spend to put
something right. Add to that the other problems that the current owner is
not aware of. Absolutely discount any statement to the effect, "Just needs
a 'tune-up'.", even if the PO is the Pope.

It takes me a minimum of an hour to do a hands on pre-purchase inspection.
Add another hour to get parts and labor estimates together to fix the
problems revealed. This is the absolute minimum effort required to actually
know what the vehicle might be worth and whether the asking price is out of
line.

Less than this is guessin' and hopin'.

Subtract these minimum values for time/money on any of the following
problems a cursory on-site inspection of a candidate reveals.

1. Brake fluid filthy dirty. -500
2. GEX rebuild. -2000 T-I, -3000 T-IV
3. Non original parts -cost to replace them all with OEM
4. Spotty or no documented history -1000+++
5. CV probs -500
6. Clutch probs -400
7. Haphazard wiring cutting and splicing -100 or much much more.
8. Ball joints -400
9. Shocks -350
10. One window regulator prob -150

Well over $5000 out of pocket AFTER purchase cost, so far, if most of these
items are needed. Then add everything not on the above short list, things
like, Wasserboxer leak, FI system probs, ignition system,
body/paint/glass/interior, steering, wheel bearings, suspension bushings,
tranny, heater, wipers, exhaust, tires, instruments, lights, bailing wire
fixits, yadayadayadayada.........


T.P. Stephens
San Juan Island, WA