Date:         Fri, 30 May 2003 12:32:11 -0400
Reply-To:     "rmstewart@mac.com" <rmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "rmstewart@mac.com" <rmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Looking at a used Carat needs your advice
In-Reply-To:  <3ED7490A.5C285117@utoledo.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

> Thanks to everyone who replied, you advice was great. I just spoke with the
> owner, and herešs an update.
> 
> Engine:
> The van had oil leak issues, gaskets were replaced as well as a lot of engine
> parts and was serviced by a British Mechanic who is supposedly amazing. He
> sounds it at-least. He says the engine runs amazing now.
> 
> Rear Head Rests:
> The Owner tells he has the rear head rests and has privacy curtains for the
> van as well. 
> 
> Speakers:
> The speakers are all pioneer front and rear.
> 
> Dents/Dings:
> The front has 4 marks where the PO used ding remover to pull the dings/dents
> out and it left a mark which can be seen in the photošs. I figure that this
> could be buffed out or repainted there.
> 
> Tires:
> The rear tires have life he says and could make a cross country trip but on
> arrival they would need replacement. The front are fine.
> 
> A/C:
> On the compressor he said the air was working fine all last summer but all of
> sudden the freon went out and he took it in and they said that a seal cracked
> and this the freon leak. He was told he just needed a seal but everything
> regarding the compressor he believes to be operable.
> 
> Interior:
> Has no rips or stains in the seats, he drives it about 2500 miles a month all
> highway. It has 153,000 on it right now. Has all the cup holders and lights,
> table works as it should.
> 
> Price:
> I tried to get him to move on the price but he says no, he has over $4300
> invested. Any advice for getting him to budge? Do I even bother, he seems
> pretty insistent on not budging regardless of the lack of stereo, air, minor
> crack in the fender or the rear dent.
> 
> Auto Shipping:
> Found a shipper out of Oklahoma who will do it insured/bonded the whole deal
> for  $750 that includes all costs.
> 
> VIN:
> I asked Ben Moua to look this up for me but I am not sure if he can so if
> someone can look it up for me who has Carfax this month I would really
> appreciate it. 
> 
> VIN#
> WV2YB0258MG007878
> 
> TIA
> 
> Regards to all, have a great weekend!
> 
> Robert
> NYC
> ---------------
> 
> See interlined below ...
> 
> "rmstewart@mac.com" wrote:
> 
> Hey Everyone,
> 
> Still on my search for nice blue auto carat, found one but it has some
> issues and wanted to get your feedback.
> 
> The owner says the air conditioning system needs a compressor, is this
> expensive to purchase?  How expensive is the installation?
> 
> Replies:
> I dunno about the price, but to pull it is pretty easy - I say do it
> yourself
> and save $$$$.
> 
> -------------
> 
> the parts are fairly expensive. like $300 neighborhood. but the
> kicker is, you probably need a new drier/receiver and that's
> another $300, then you need to replace the freon (which has
> already probably leaked out, because of the compressor failure)
> and that means labor and very expensive freon (unless you use
> freeze-12 or convert to r-134a). :( best to budget nearly $1000
>> for the job. :(
>> 
> Next the Rear tires only have a little life in them, how much are good rear
> tires and installation?
> 
> Replies:
> Michelin Agilis. No doubt about it. Not cheap @ $100/tire, but makes the van
> handle like a dream. I got mine at Sam's Club. If you don't go for the
> Agilis make sure you get a reinforced sidewall tire rated for light VANS.
>> Passenger car tires need not apply
>> 
> 
> Replies:
> Vredestein Transport Steel are rated for this van.  $95/each plus whatever
> your shot charges for a swap.  great tires on dry and wet - marginal in
> winter.  Vredestein also makes a similar snow tire - beleive it is called
> the
> Snow Steel.
> 
> 
> Lastly the car stereo, hešs taking it out, how much for decent one with
> installation?
> 
> Replies:
> Anywhere from $50 to $450.   I have a $300 Pioneer radio/casette powering
> the stock speakers and a $60 200 watt amp powering two additional speakers
>> behind the seats.
>> 
> Oh, therešs a small corner dent (check the samba link to see the images)
> onrear just above the right bumper and it1s missing the rear seat head rests.
> 
> Replies:
> If this is a '91 and that's all the damage the van has - you are lucky.
> 
> How much should the rear headrests costs to replace?
> 
> Replies:
> If I can find them in a yard, usually they charge me about $5 each, although
> they prefer for me to buy the whole seat instead. I have a dent in the same
>> place and can't figure out how it happened to the PO.
>> 
> He wants $3900 for the van, does not seem itšs worth that much with thedent,
> compressor costs, tire replacement and stereo replacement, what dothink it1s
> worth?
> 
> Replies:
> Uhm... I'm not the best at estimating cost, but it looks like a nice, clean
> van in good shape. $3900 seams at least OK for the price.
> 
> The way I was taught (from the Muir book, no less) is to start with the
> value of the car in good condition (everything works, nothing needs
> replacing). From there, make a list of everything you think is wrong and how
> much to fix it. Subtract one from the other the result _should_ be the value
> of the car, but since we're talking about older cars with expensive/NLA
> parts good luck.
> 
> As an exercise I'd say:
> 
> - Kelly Blue Book online says (if perfect) she's worth about $5100. I've
>> seen them from $3500 on up, however.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> If all the seller claims is true then it might be a good deal - of course it
> is so hard to tell.  The real problem when buying a vehicle long-distance.  I
> almost bought a '93 Eurovan MV in FLA.  ORinginal owner 45K miles.  Too bad
> when I got there to take delivery I found out that they had never changed
> the
> coolant or brake fluid in 9 years.  My bad for not asking.  A big waste of
> money on my part, but I walked.  Oh yeah there were other issues of damage
> and
> interior wear& tear that the guy wasn't up front about.  An expensive lesson
> for me.
> 
> I bought a '91 Carat (blue too) 18 mos ago and am spending some cash and
> sweat
> equity to make it reliable again for the long term.  I hope that pans out
> because if I end up selling within a few years I'll never get the investment
> back out of the van.  Of course I keep holding to that concept because I
> really enjoy driving this van.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> bem
> 
>