Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 11:25:28 -0500
Reply-To: Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: last questions on 84 Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <39FC053B.59988D86@mailandnews.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
This is no way a standard, but-
I recently spent $1995 on an '84 waterboxer with 200k miles on it. Within
two weeks, the transmission went (classic problem.) I spent $500 on a "new"
'90 transmission from a salvage yard. I also spent- $400 on a complete new
exhaust system, and around $150 or so on tune up parts- new wires/plugs,
cap, rotor, fuel filter, amsoil. I also spend aro9und $30 dollars on some
replacement lines for the cooling system.
All said an almost done, this van is pretty solid. I could have gotten away
with only the transmission. Luckily I was able to install it with a friend.
This was a new experience for me. I could've easily spent another $600 or
so for a mechanic to install it.
Moral of the story is, you need to at least be prepared to have to put a
couple extra dollars into a new van... at least until you've thoroughly
inspected the ins and outs of it and know what to expect in as for as what
will go wrong in the future.
Bradley Flubacher
State College PA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Jonathan Lee
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 6:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: last questions on 84 Vanagon
Last questions -- promise!
My back is really against the wall now. By Tuesday, I MUST have a
vehicle with which to move harpsichords. The alternative van I had in
mind simply won't work (for one thing, it won't currently crank). So,
the Vanagon is left as my only option, unless I want to scramble for
something else within the next few days.
My questions are these:
What are my chances that I might buy this Vanagon for $1800, and invest
very little money in it between now and May? Even February might
justify the purchase -- I just can't buy a van and invest money in it
next week . . . or next month.
Please keep in mind that the daily driving would be quite light. On
the days that I go into San Francisco, the thing would get driven 44
miles on the freeway (granted, the morning traffic is stop-and-go). On
the days I don't go in, the Van would get driven about 15 miles a day.
So, we're talking 200 miles per month here, plus a few gigs moving
instruments 100-200 miles every other month.
So, are my chances in the 90% range? The 50% range? The 3% range?
If I choose to buy the Vanagon, how much will a coolant change cost
(in Northern California)?
If the head gaskets go, how much will that job cost (in Northern
California, again)?
If I choose to buy the Vanagon and hate it, will it sell for $1800 in
a few months? I've noted that, here in Berkeley, somebody is selling an
'84 Synchro that needs a new engine for $6,900. Perhaps they're a bit
nuts, but that gives me some hope that the Vanagon I'm considering is at
least worth what I'm paying for it. . .
best,
Jon
---
Jonathan Rhodes Lee
jrlee@mailandnews.com
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