Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:24:24 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: where to advertise westy for sale added link
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I'll just share this ............
something I've seen several times in vanagons for sale.
Based on what has been replaced, and the general overall condition.......
it becomes apparent that the thing was 'just driven' .....until one system
completely failed..........
then it got say 'all new brakes' ..........or 'rebuilt transmission'
.................
and meanwhile, each of the other 20 or so systems are being 'just driven'
........
so you get a vehicle with say 3, or 5 NEW things on it, and 20 systems
beyond those 3 or 5 getting closer to their end.
On the rare 'actually serviced and cared for properly'
vehicle............and really, on vanagons especially, if they got all the
fluid changes , inspections, and services they are supposed to get, and
tired things replaced as they are discovered ( rather than when something is
obviously very, very wrong ) .......
they will last nearly indefinitely, if combined with sensible operation of
course........
And if things are taken care of when they are small............say good
shocks kept on, alignment checked once in a great while, iffy suspension
parts replaced before they are really tired.......etc
A vanagon that's been properly cared for can go a long, long time, and be
rewarding and safe to drive as well.
Inspecting some vanagons for sale, it's apparent, for example, that some
people may not realize operating a vehicle with ancient or shot shocks also
tears up the suspension, and that causes the tires to wear funny
etc.............'it all adds up.'
( I also am empathetic that it can be quite hard to find any shop you can
really trust, to do the right thing, to do it competently, and at a fair
price......
that can be darn hard to find ! ............so I have some understanding why
people may not be so eager to let anyone to inspections, service, and repair
on their vanagons )
< the smog check person who couldn't figure out the engine is in the rear of
a vanagon......
that's scary ! ..........I mean, a 6 year old girl could tell you what end
the engine is in for gosh sakes ! ........but if this is the kind of person
a regular vanagon owner has to turn their car over too........yikes, that is
scary >
If this one's engine has 169K .............that's getting up there all
right. I've heard of them going 250,000 miles. They can use head gasket
and head work as often as every 80,000 miles ..........'depending'
.............and I gather that eventually 2.1's have an oil pressure problem
at the rod bearings..........
something about the stretch rod bolts used I read.
It's 'hard' to take an engine down to the rod bearings when all seems fine
there, but rather than just stopping at a valve job and new headgaskets, on
these waterboxer engines, especially the 2.1's.......I think I'll be
inspecting rod bearings, plastiguaging new ones to check the oil clearance,
and put in new rod bolts or nuts as required, and new rings, or new pistons
and barrels. .......that should make one good for a while.
I love selling cars and vanagons, and I think that a buyer's biggest fear
is that some major expense.............which often might be an engine or a
transmission......
will happen soon after they get the car.
Not sure if I need one yet, but I might be needing a good used waterboxer
vanagon auto trans.
anyway, happy NY to all !
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Drew" <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: where to advertise westy for sale added link
> Should there be any trepidation regarding the fact that the original
> engine
> is knocking on 170,000?
> Granted, it's been serviced recently. . .
>
> Is it within the realm of possibility though to expect at least a rebuild
> within the next 15-18k?
>
> Seems to be a great van regardless.
> I'm just wondering how much of a role (if any) this should or shouldn't
> play
> in the final selling price.
>
> And yes, I'm considering bringing this one home. :o)
> From what I understand, I'm one of multiple 'nibbles'.
>
> Being the 2nd owner of a '90 with all service records (going back to the
> first oil change), I can attest to the importance of POs who cared enough
> to
> keep all of that stuff.
> Reflects on a good history and solid service record (I think, anyway).
>
> -Drew, Vegas
>
>
>
> A lot of people would pay a little on the high side if they know all the
>> service history and
>> that there's no immediate "sorting out" that needs to be done.
>>
>>
>>
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