Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 16:53:53 -0700
Reply-To: Jim Kennedy <JK@PROJECTDESIGN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Kennedy <JK@PROJECTDESIGN.COM>
Subject: Re: Buying advice.. weekender
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Nic:
I can assist with one question - cruise control. I just recently installed
a universal Audiovox cruise in my '87 GL and it is t e r r i f i c ! The
install took a total of about 12 hrs. The only pain is splicing in a longer
lead to reach all the way (and carefully keeping track of the correct
wires), then nicely routing the cable through the car. When you get to it,
contact me and we could discuss in detail. This cruise control holds the
speed spot-on, including moderate hills.
Jim Kennedy
San Diego
'87 GL
-----Original Message-----
From: Nic Pottier [mailto:nicpottier@GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 4:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Buying advice.. weekender
Hi Everyone..
I'm in the market to buy a Vanagon Weekender. I've always loved these
vans, and my lifestyle would really appreciate having a comfortable
bed and car camping vehicle. I do a lot of rock and alpine climbing,
backcountry skiing and mountain biking throughout the year and this
usually involves me driving someplace for the weekend, staying
overnight then coming back.
I like the idea of a weekender because it's less to go wrong, and it
seems like I could cook just as easily with a coleman inside. The
main draw is the storage space, pop top so I can stand inside and a
comfy bed.
Now the questions:
1) I am thinking of purchasing an 86+, mostly because it seems like
a Subaru conversion is a little easier on these. Although I hope to
buy a van that doesn't require a new engine immediately, I do plan on
doing a conversion for the power / fuel economy / power when the time
comes. I also plan on taking this on myself, so anything I can do
before hand to make it easier would be nice. It also seems like the
2.1L might last a bit longer before needing replacement. Is holding
out for an 86+ a worthy goal?
2) Can cruise control be added to a van without it? It doesn't seem
like a common option, but something I would really miss on the long
drives I take.
3) What should I plan on spending for a van in decent condition in
the Pacific NW?
4) Finally, if there's anything specific I should know about the
weekenders or vanagons in general, feel free to pass it on my way.
An '85 Wolfsburg Weekender with 136k miles is in the paper for $4,800.
Apparently in good shape and has had many things replaced recently.
Is this fair / low / high?
Thank you all, I've done a lot of reading through the archives so hope
none of these are terribly common questions..
-Nic
