Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Tue, 1 May 2001 00:34:27 -0700
Reply-To:     Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ok -- So I went and looked at the van today:

The van was listed as '90 Carat - actually is a '89 Carat. It is at a used handicapped van place - asking is $6000 - Edmunds has it from $2500-4800 depending on repairs etc. (this van has a used wheelchair lift in the side door - probably worth $500-750). Automatic with air. (A/C no workie - see below)

So after I inspected it for around an hour (thanks to the list for the form - totally valuable to use: http://vanagon.com/info/articles/buring/bus-buyers-guide/index.html)

and before I even drove it I told the guy about the engine (see below) and offered him $2500. He's getting back to me tomorrow on that figure.

I'd really, really appreciate comments from folks about the engine issue

Major issues:

a. Now for big news - when I got there it had been moved across their parking lot. There was dampness in the tail pipe and a brown spot of rusty water on the ground. When I started it specks of water flew out of the exhaust pipe. A mechanic I phoned told me this means either: bad headgaskets or a cracked head. Note: after I drove it I checked the exhaust pipe and it was dry Any ideas anyone? A mechanic i've visited b4 - Bela Auto in Burbank, CA said over phone this is probably at least headgaskets or maybe cracked cylindar heads (as i figured) and would be around $1500 - 2000.

(b) Engine stumbles sometimes when starting out - and also when cold - any ideas anyone?

When driving the van has great zip - plenty of pickup and generally a pleasure to drive. I'm totally hooked on getting a Vanagon after this drive...just not sure if this is THE one....

FEEDBACK PLEASE !!!!!!

b. Was hit in right rear, had broken engine mount/frame problems (fixed per repair records)

General Stuff: (1)Has wheelchair swing lift - old model - no longer made - works (2) Regular radials -not LT tires (3) Ran VIN# search - sold 1st in Illinois - was there for 4 years (had 80,000 when came out to calif) (4) Rust under sliding door track, under step-ups at front doors, at lower left windshield (5) No rust found in wheel wheels front or rear (maybe a new undercoat job???) (6) Missing: spare and jack (7) small chip in windshield (8) Interior in great shape - new headliner; seats not worn or squishy; carpet ok (9) gauges worked to spec (10) ran cool during/after drive (11) new front rotors/pads - rears unknown (12) new power steering pump (13) A/C is down the middle - and doesn't blow cold--- any ideas anyone? (14) Drove ok - no pulling; brakes worked good - no pulling or diving to one side/other (15) no weeping of water/oil/fluids around engine before test drive or after (16)Dipstick showed no water beads before/after driving (17) Engine oil didn't smell of exhaust excessively before/after driving

--- Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com> wrote: > all, > > I am the dad of a 15 yr old wheelchair user - > interested in purchasing a vanagon w/power lift for > the chair into the side door. Saw an ad for a '90 > w/150,000 miles -- original engine/auto trans > w/front > and center air....$5990 It is located here in So > Calif.... > - any feedback on reliablity - what to look for (i > know about the headgaskets, possible incorrect > water/coolant issues, blow-by on the rings/guides > etc)....reliablity? other issues/whatch-out-fors? > Thanks, > > Tony > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great > prices > http://auctions.yahoo.com/

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/


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