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Date:         Mon, 11 Aug 2003 21:37:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Advice requested....'81 AdventureWagen
Comments: To: Brian Dipert <bdipert@PACBELL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <NCBBLJAGEKNPLOFKAENJCEOHKLAA.bdipert@pacbell.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

I agree with that mechanics recommendation. Particularly with the Adventure Wagon raised roof. Although there are a few who manage to get good service out of these engines, they are the exception. Having the suspension in good repair with proper tires and shocks will keep things under control although it will still blow around. Since most Interstate driving is now done at 70 mph plus, this van will have trouble keeping up for extended periods. You have to ask why it is being sold after a recent engine replacement. Does it have AC? Forget using it in hot weather. I would only consider it if you plan on mostly local trips or doing an engine upgrade-Water Cooled.

My .02, I know the air cooled fans will attack but I know too many who have BTDT.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Brian Dipert Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 9:01 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Advice requested....'81 AdventureWagen

Hi, I've just joined the group for reasons which'll very soon be obvious ;-) My wife and I are seriously considering the purchase of a neighbor's 1981 Vanagon L-based Adventurewagen, with just over 103,000 miles on it. It's white, and cosmetically in what I'd call near-excellent condition. New clutch 9,000 miles ago, engine rebuild 7,000 miles ago, brand new tires. The gas gauge currently doesn't work, there's a hole in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, and the vent in the roof doesn't seem to want to open, but everything else appears to be fully functional. Our neighbor is asking $4,000; I'm wondering if this is a reasonable price, and if not what you'd recommend we offer.

In searching for someone to inspect it, I got some disturbing feedback this morning from Frank's Automotive, a local foreign vehicle repair shop. The manager pretty strongly warned me against purchasing an '81 model, due to its aircooled, underpowered nature. He said that driving it in the midst of a hot California summer, and especially in the inclines leading up to Lake Tahoe, etc very quickly burns out the engines. He pointed me to '83 models, which he says were the first year that water cooling appeared, or better yet an '86 or newer model, which has a more powerful engine. Thoughts? And while I'm at it, one other thing I'm wondering about....due both to the vehicle's height, its underpoweredness and its high center of gravity, how scary is it to drive in a crosswind? A friend with a Westfalia (popup top) had this concern.

Thanks in advance! ============================== Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:bdipert@edn.com Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com


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