Date:         Wed, 29 Jan 2003 17:50:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject:      should I buy it? (more information!)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I took a much closer look at the '90 vanagon today. It drove very
nicely. I noticed when it was cold, the transmission (auto) would "kick"
now and then when at full stop. Once it was warmed up, I didn't notice
this as much, if at all.

It has green coolant in it, and the resevoir tank (the one under
pressure) was only about half full.  The expansion tank had some in it.
The engine was otherwise clean. They warned of an oil leak, but I didn't
see anything under it that was major. I wiped it clean for a drive, but
lost interest in the van, so never checked it again. The oil level was
ok. The oil was darker than I would have expected. (overheated due to
low coolant?!)

I lost interest because the the rear seats had either missing or broken
seat belts. There were shoulder straps in two rearmost seats. The one in
the middle (the one along the window) didn't visibly have the should
belt. There were holes in the side board, but I didn't see the strap.

Were shoulder belts standard factory equipment when they made the '90?

The power door locks worked. That was a neat thing to see.  The rear
view mirrors didn't function. Although I suspect this could be as simple
as a fuse, I did hear a click when I push the control knob up and down.
No motion. No click for left or right control knob movement, and no
click either.

The interior was in so-so condition. Trailer hitch included, as well as
the four alloy's on it, + two extra. The lady said she'd take $1900 for
it. It was her son's who moved to CA and left it behind. He bought a
Pathfinder..

Not sure what to do.

Brad