Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:27:03 -0700
Reply-To: Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: MY new '88 Westy, 53K orig. miles
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Yes, folks, I was a little premature in my excitement about getting this van last
week. I only told him over the phone "I'll take it". Made no deposit and didn't even
go back for a second look (40 miles RT). I set about getting the money, he set about
getting the passenger side power window fixed and cleaning out his garage. I was
really not interested in another Westy (Already have a '90 with 165K miles) and I as
much as told him he could get more, so he could have backed out, but didn't. They
delivered it Tuesday afternoon and it's now in MY garage undergoing close E&E. Going
to MVD in the morning to transfer title.
There is now no doubt in my mind that it was a great deal (hate to use the term
'steal')
at $8,500. A few things need attention:
Pop-top seal is pulling away (I've read the recent posts on that subject).
QUESTION HERE: Was there a change in design from '88 to '90? The seal on my '90 is in
perfect shape despite 3x's the mileage.
Wrong tires. Big O brand Legacy TMR 205/70 14 95T, but NOT reinforced.
3 tread plies (1 poly, 2 steel), 1 sidewall tread (poly). Rated 1,521 LB
@44PSI.
Oil was overfull a little. Drain plug barely tight (better than over-tight!) and
was leaking ever so little. Suspect no crush washer, but going to drain it shortly
and check it out.
Won't bother you with too many details again, but it's dove blue metallic and has
every option that was available in '88.
PO has added an alarm system, Trumatic (German) propane heater and a second tank under
the floor, and a waste-water holding tank.
I said above he cleaned out his garage. Brought along a porta-potti, set of dishes
with rack secured in the deep compartment, road-side emergency kit, leveling ramps and
a new jump-starter/power pack.
There ARE nice people out there and it's my guess that there are more low-mileage vans
stashed in the garages of older people who are reluctant to give them up. This one was
not stored, he drove it every couple of weeks.
Thanks to all for the comments and support. If you missed it, you can see the van (and
my other one, barely) here (with new music). The photos were taken at the PO's house
in Sedona AZ:
http://home.earthlink.net/~azsun99/jerryspage/
Jerry
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