Again, not mine. I caught wind of this today. Owner may actually be on the list. If so, go ahead and chime-in Donald . . .
Situation: He can get $4,500 giving up his '85 with the "Cash for Clunkers" credit program - which I'm not familiar and do not comprehend who would quote the 'trade-in' value.... To trade it in for a Honda Fit. My thought: He takes this route and it's one more Vanagon RIP. Info from owner: "I love the thing, I really do. But (and there always a "but") it's a filthy engine and coming from someone who feels guilty about cranking up my two-cycle lawn mower, I feel like i'm choking the planet just a little more each time I drive it (and I usually drive a 2004 VW Passat wagon that emits only a fraction of the pollution the Vanagon does). Besides, who will pay me $4500 (the cash for clunkers credit) for an '85 Vanagon with 220,000 miles? It's also starting to weep coolant from the heads again on very cold days (VW remanufactured engine at 141,000 miles 13 years ago--it had a good run)." "it's just a standard GL, it has the folding rear set into the queen sized bed, AC (never worked well, i've removed the belt) power steering. It's silver but long faded. Very minor surface rust but no structural rust. This van came from the south and has never been driven in Iowa winter. Except for the engine leaking coolant in sub freezing temperatures, the engine is in good shape--occasional hydraulic lifter tick if i haven't used it in a while." Aside from what he's told me above, there are no problems with it. No accidents. Straight. Trying to convince him not to take the easy route and sentence his '85 to salvage . . . Thoughts? Advice? Offers? He's sending me the VIN. -- Drew, Las Vegas '90 GL "Blackbeard" |
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