Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2001 15:15:40 -0700
Reply-To: "diverse_imaging@yahoonixthespam" <diverse_imaging@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "diverse_imaging@yahoonixthespam" <diverse_imaging@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: how much did you pay for your vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Wow. I can't imagine paying that much! I mean, I love my Vanagon Westy, but
part of the incentive of purchasing it was how cost-effective
(theoretically) ownership would be.
I bought mine in early May '01 from a couple that brought it into CA in
anticipation of driving it down to Central America. Their plans changed, and
since I had posted a "wanted ad" on the Westfalia.org site, they contacted
me and let me know what they had before placing it on the open market.
Just based on knowing what questions to ask, and not a small amount of faith
and intuition, I pretty much bought it sight-unseen. Traveled 200 miles and
found an 82 Westy with 90K miles, slight driver's door mishap, but otherwise
in fantastic condition. TONS of extra parts and camping gear (they *really*
stocked up on parts in anticipation of their southward trip), and all for
$2200. Had to put on a new catalytic converter in order to pass smog, but
other than that, this rust-free AZ car was all mine.
I'm not knocking on paying a lot for what you want, I guess I feel really
fortunate for the deal I happened upon.
> > Uh oh. I think I'm going to set a record here: I paid almost $23K for
> the
> > Blue Whale about a year ago, a '90 Westy Auto.
>
> Nah...not close, Chris. I'm sure all those, including myself who paid a
lot
> (too much) for our vans have been keeping their mouths shut through all
> this... so it's now time for me to confess.
>
> I paid $29K for my 89 Syncro Westy a year ago... same reason as you,
Chris.
> she was immaculate, or so she appeared. Body almost perfect... couple
small
> scratches and dings, but no accidents, no rust. Bus was garaged most of
its
> life... allegedly belonged to Bill Gates neighbor, a 76 year old man who
> bought it thinking it would be fun to go camping with his wife... she
hated
> it and it sat for most of it's life in a garage. the guy we bought it
from
> liked it, but needed something bigger (?) for a growing family. When they
> sold it to us it had only 38K on the ticker. Camper section had never
been
> used... stove had never been turned on.
>
> Only problems were the ac compressor was shot... and shortly after we got
it
> we realized the vc needed to be replaced... then a grinding noise in the
> tranny turned out to be a cracked pinion gear. Guess the PO ran different
> size tires on her for awhile or something. She has nice matching MXT's on
> her now. Pretty major repairs for an immaculate vehicle! Anyway, she was
> put back in shape about six months ago and has run flawlessly ever since.
>
> Oh, did the half-lilley engine mods late last year too... couldn't be
> happier with the results. Probably have close to $35K in her now.
> Absolutely ridiculous for a 12 year old vehicle, expecially after I hear
all
> the stories you guys tell about picking up vans for $200... even $5, 10 or
> 15K sounds cheap to me! Probably could have bought one of the new VW vans
> coming out soon for that much, eh?
>
> Good news is she has only 50K on her now, compression is 145 straight
across
> and everything works. Life is good.
>
> Sorry for the diatribe, but confession is good for the soul. You can all
> LOL and make fun of me now... I'm vulnerable. Thanks to the list for all
> the help though... you guys are the best!
>
> Aloha,
>
> Mick Kalber
> 89 Syncro Westy "Daddeo"
> Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
> 62 Halaulani Place
> Hilo, Hawaii 96720
> 808-935-5557
> 808-935-0066 (fax)
> hotlava@interpac.net
> www.volcanoscapes.com
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