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
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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