Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 08:05:33 -0400
Reply-To: "Barry E. Muller" <bmuller@UTOLEDO.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Barry E. Muller" <bmuller@UTOLEDO.EDU>
Organization: Home
Subject: Re: Looking at a used Carat needs your advice
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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?
>
I dunno about the price, but to pull it is pretty easy - I say do it yourself
and save $$$$.
>
> Next the Rear tires only have a little life in them, how much are good rear
> tires and installation?
>
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, he1s taking it out, how much for decent one with
> installation?
>
> Oh, there1s a small corner dent (check the samba link to see the images) on
> rear just above the right bumper and it1s missing the rear seat head rests.
>
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?
>
> He wants $3900 for the van, does not seem it1s worth that much with the
> dent, compressor costs, tire replacement and stereo replacement, what do
> think it1s worth?
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
