Date:         Mon, 18 Mar 2002 11:40:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Dale Goodvin <dgoodvin@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dale Goodvin <dgoodvin@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Mechanics findings with 91 Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi All,

Well the reports are in on the 91 I am thinking of buying:

1.  Bad engine:  $1200 for Cyl head gaskets, $1750 for cyl head gaskets with
cyl heads, $3000 for rebuilt engine.  OVALS in Federal Way "Suspects that
engine will have to be replaced and will not be able to be repaired."  So they
think the probable figure is: $3000
2. Front and Rear Shocks: $260
3. They found no rust under the vehicle; I took it to a couple of body shops.
Both thought the areas along the bottom of the van, which I thought were rusty
and painted over, were just covered with some kind of seam seal.  There is
cancer under the drivers door, which one body shop said would cost $500 to
repair but he said it really wasn't a big deal.  Probably could get basic fix
for a couple hundred.

So:  Very nice interior, camping appliances in excellent and very clean
condition, pop-top canvas in excellent condition.  Van is a 91, auto
transmission, air, 90,000 miles.

Owner is asking $12000/OBO.  I am in WA state where Westies are priced a higher
than most places.

I think it's worth only about $9,000 due to the engine troubles.  BTW, it was
advertised as being in "excellent condition" even though the owner KNEW about
the engine problems (I found the papers for the pre-purchase inspection he had
done on the vehicle when he bought it 9 months ago; they included this quote:
"head gasket poor, seep").  It was a pure accident that the papers were still
in the glovebox and that I found them.

All opinions sought and appreciated.

Thanks,

Dale

=====
"In most cases there is no free exercise whatever ... of the moral sense."--Henry David Thoreau

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