Date:         Mon, 28 Nov 2005 11:35:21 -0500
Reply-To:     robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Hello All, I am back after my fiery blaze.. Have some questions...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

Hello Everyone, 

Wanted to say hi, and ask some questions...

You might remember me, I am the guy who lost his Orly Blue Carat a couple
years ago... in December in an engine fire next to Rockefeller plaza in NYC.
http://homepage.mac.com/rmstewart

Well, I am looking at a van in Upstate NY, Buffalo area and have some
questions and wanted your valued opinion.

The owner is not computer savvy at all, very old school, nice guy. He had a
friend shoot some shots of the van, not great and are missing the dented
fender but take a look and give your feedback please. The page title is 88
Wolfsburg. The Van has a small fender dent (not shown), some minor seam rust
and is missing a small piece of plastic molding. (not shown)
http://homepage.mac.com/rmstewart/PhotoAlbum95.html

Where I am in the examination of this van, spoke to the owner & previous
owner and got the details on the van listed below, this week I am having the
van brought to a different mechanic who knows Vanagons and I am having them
take a detailed look at it to get their feedback. Across the street is
collision repair shop that I was thinking of asking what the cost would be
to repair the fender. The rust I figured I would attack myself with a
grinding wheel/wire brush wheel, and some POR-15, then have it repainted. I
did a carfax report and appears clean as a whistle. I am just interested to
hear your thoughts if itšs worth what hešs asking.... Not sure what a fender
fix should cost, nor am I aware of what it might cost if I have some else
repair the rust, or do the paint repair, any ideas?

First herešs the facts on the van the good, bad and the ugly....

1988 Volkswagon Vanagon - Wolfsburg $2500

Online Description:
"1988 VW Vanagon Wolfburg van,
PD, PS, PW, air, AT, rebuilt engine, lots of new parts, 25MPG, runs great,
$2500 (did say $2300 but it was changed*** /BO"
- The owner told me on the phone after our 4th conversation that the price
listed was incorrect and it was not $2300 but was $2500, this did not sit
well with me, told it was an online posting error from Autotrader Magazine.*

He Revised Ad: and changed the price "$2500"

Info. From Conversations on the phone:
Miles: 211,000 Body
Rebuilt Engine: @ 175,000
Rebuilt Transmission shortly after.

New or Replaced Parts:
New Shocks
Rebuilt Transmission & Engine
New Wires
New Tires
New Fuel Pump
New Master Cylinder, Brake pads & Rotors, Fuel Lines, Brake Lines, New
Cylinder Heads 3yrs ago*

Bad:
Some seam rust on drivers door and passenger side rear tire panel. (2) Small
4" long 1/8˛ wide rust seams)
Minor rust on drivers front wheel well.
Some dings and dents on body.
The dent on passenger side is in the front fender, its small, he said can be
pulled easily. (for some reason I doubt this)
Cruise control does not work, disconnected.*
Small Rust hole in Rocker Panel.*
It is missing the very small passenger side plastic molding under the
passenger seat. 

Needs:
New Exhaust in the Future, fine for now, passes NYS inspection.

Good:
No Coolant, Gasket or Oil Leaks
Ac & Heat Good
Currently Inspected and Registered (daily driver, and long distances -
Virginia)
New Paint Job in the last couple of years.
Spare tire good with jack and manuals.
Carpets clean.

Interior:
Good Condition
No burn holes

Extras:
Window Curtains

Owner history:
Past owners were VW Mechanics.
Came from Rochester NY.

Maintenance Notes:
Oil Changed frequently - 5W/40
Radiator Flushed when first purchased.

Mechanics who worked on Vehicle:
Martins Motor Work: Previous Owner
716.826.6777  - 2036 S.Park Ave, Buffalo NY 14220
Put in rebuilt transmission.

When he owned it he: 1yr ago. for 6 years.
He Put in: New Shocks, New Brakes, New Master Cylinder, Brake pads & Rotors,
Fuel Lines, Brake Lines, New Cylinder Heads 3yrs ago, 2 previous owner, both
mechanics.
Bad: He said it is missing passenger side small plastic.
Said it was a solid van.
Rust: Said it needed to be sand blasted, & repainted.