Date:         Sun, 22 Apr 2001 14:14:39 EDT
Reply-To:     Jonesnfolk@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben Jones <Jonesnfolk@aol.com>
Subject:      Could be my first Vanagon
Content-Type:  multipart/alternative;


    Hello Vanagon owners,
 Let me start off by telling you I'm not a Vanagon owner(yet).I bought a 1988
Ford E-250 two summers ago and have decided I'll forever be a "van man".I've
driven my ford 40,000 miles and it has been very reliable.I even drove it
from Bridgeport CT. to my place in maine with a severley leaking H2O pump
last summer and it still doesn't burn or leak oil.The problem is it needs a
fair amount of work for a sticker which is due next month.I really hate to
see her go but with gas prices soaring and the unstopable rusting I'm forced
to get something else.
   That leeds me to the reason for this post.My landlord recently informed me
that his brothers Vanagon was up for sale.We drove over this morning to check
it out.It's a 1986 Syncro.The body is very good with a little bit of rust
trying to come through on some of the seams,but great for an 86'.It has a 4
speed manual tranny which was just rebuilt last december.The interior is in
awesome shape with a folding bed and ice cold a/c.The brakes have been
recently done and the head gaskets  were done 4 years ago.I drove it a couple
miles and it seemed very tight.I did find it difficult to find 1st gear but
he said that was normal and I'd get used to it.(plus my ford is an
automatic,I'm a little rusty shifting again).The only problem which I could
see was the tires probably need to be replaced sometime this summer.
    So if there is anything good/bad you could tell me about 86' Syncros it
would be very helpful in the purchasing of my first Vanagon.The bottom line
deal is $4,500.Is this average or a good deal.Looking foward to driving my
own Vanagon but don't want to get hurt.Thanks for the help,Ben.
      P.S. the mileage is 118,000 original,and it's not a westy.

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