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Date:         Sun, 29 Oct 2000 10:04:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: last questions on 84 Vanagon
Comments: To: Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>

I bought our '84 with a blown engine. I put in a spare I had around, and since have replaced brake pads ($30), fuel tank grommets($60), and changed the oil (several times). We've put about 60,000 miles on it since. It ain't pretty, but it keeps going.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message ----- From: "Bradley Flubacher" <flubach@HOME.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 9:25 AM Subject: Re: last questions on 84 Vanagon

> 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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