Date:         Wed, 29 May 2002 08:42:10 -0500
Reply-To:     "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject:      Re: 87 westy buying advice
Comments: To: R Blake <blake@OAKHARBOR.NET>
In-Reply-To:  R Blake <blake@OAKHARBOR.NET>'s message of Wed, 29 May 2002
              00:19:20 -0700
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

Rich,

The couple of dings are an acceptable reality, but the rust starting
under the glass is a no-no--not for the kind of money the guy is
asking---

Your going to be spending some bucks on the suspension marshmellow ride,
and who knows what exactly is wrong with the engine loping
problem----more denaros

Pop top seals--a pain to R&R---and more cheese to be spent---

You mentioned nothing about canvas, screens, hatch struts, tires,
steering rack, how the Van sits, or appliance operation        ( stove,
reefer, sink  )

Do a lot of crawling around under the Van, looking for leaks,rusts,
prior repairs etc.


These vehicles are money pits, so my advise to you would be either chop
this seller down about 2 G's, or walk on this one------

Later,

Terry


E-mail message

I know this has been asked a few 100 times here on the list. Looking for
words of wisdom on an 87 GL
with 113000miles I found for $7200. Interior clean and everything
functional. Exterior has many small scratches and a few dinks. Upper
seals are ok but will need replaced in next couple years probably.
Windshield frame has a few small rust spots behind seal lip. 1 head has
been changed recently and both head gaskets. Water pump changed. New
hoses and belts. No obvious leakage from engine. Idles a bit lopey but
not all the time (suspect ISV needs cleaned). Runs good on the road and
drives ok but suspension feels a bit squishy, (I usually drive a 88 GTi
so squishy is probably normal). Has auto trans and good a/c.
I've done some research and have seen various pricings for these
vehicles and it is hard to pinpoint a good price for any given specimen.
The blue book values don't seem to mean much to sellers and buyers with
these things. The really clean/restored ones are 10k and above it seems.
This one seems little above average and probably will need some major
TLC after a couple more years. Advice on if this is a fair deal or what
else to look for would be appreciated.
Rich Blake
88 GTi16v
88 Jetta=20
01 NB 1.8t
85 Quantum
84 Rabbit
???westy???