Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:29:02 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: first time buyer
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimCoL_c-SHWq84uioYudDkNPE0gNEbQfCayjtOH@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
The Northwest has to be one of the prime Vanagon areas. Plenty around,
plenty of mechanics who can actually turn a wrench on vehicles like
Vanagons. I got mine near Tacoma, Wa. about 4yrs ago now for $3k and I have
probably put another $3k into it..I will drive it anywhere with confidence
now, though she ain't real pretty. Gets good fuel economy, carries all my
crap, has a westie kitchen and a bed but no pop-top and an inline four Jetta
motor..
These things are 'all over the dartboard' for price and
dependability...You can get a Gold-plater from Go Westie for $60k or a POS
for free and put a motor into it.
Personally, I like it that every part in my own van has been inspected by
me...replaced, when needed, by me. I go places in my van where roadside
service is not. Paying big bucks for a Go Westie for a 'guaranteed 100%
restored vanagon' and then having some part fail in the Outback
somewhere...Not gonna do me much good, trying to get them to rescue me....I
have learned how to self-rescue...and I have replaced all the parts I have
doubts about...with about $50k left over..
I'm not dissing fully restored vans sold by various businesses around...If
you have the cash and the inclination to drive around in a perfect looking
Vanagon, you'll still be ahead of any other similar vehicle available as
new, right now.
Go for it..they are fun vehicles and pretty easy to manage.
Don Hanson
On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 1:08 PM, Brad Pauly <bpauly@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Doug,
>
> I might be looking at an '84 Westy this week. Thanks for the straight
> advice on what it could cost. I am definitely leaning towards spending
> more money up front. I think I need to take a big step back and add
> some padding in my "what am I willing to spend" calculation to account
> for whatever might need to be done to get the van where I want it to
> be. These numbers are really helpful. I know every van is different,
> but even a ballpark helps.
>
> Cheers,
> Brad
>
> On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 11:15 AM, Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Hi Brad -- welcome to the list. You've already received some good links
> to
> > peruse. I bought an 84 Westy 12 years ago. My advice is to spend the most
> > money you can upfront to get the best van you can afford. The expresion
> > 'needs a little work' ranks up there with with 'the cheque is in the
> mail'
> > as one of the big lies in history. If you can't/aren't willing to do the
> > work yourself you're going to be buying your mechanic a Mercedes.
> >
> > One of the replies to your post said you'd be looking at 5 to 10K to get
> > your van in shape. I agree with that. It may not come all at once -- but
> it
> > will. I paid $6500 to get my van on the road 12 years ago -- since then I
> > estimate I have about $30K invested in it. New engine, new trans, new
> darn
> > near everything.
> >
> > Took a lot of years to work out but now my van is reliable, looks great
> and
> > is much less likely to be seen stranded at the side of the road.
> >
> > You can't put a price on the travels, adventures, and places we've seen
> --
> > but if you were going to it adds up to $250 a month about the price of a
> car
> > payment or a lease.
> >
> > But it really is best to put the money in upfront rather than dribs and
> > drabs (some of them large) along the way. I bought a cheap fixer-upper
> > because I was unconvinced that my wife would be into the Westy lifestyle.
> > She turned out to be an instant die-hard (who knew).
> >
> > If I was doing it again I would look for a rust-free hulk with a blown
> > engine and trans. Rust-free is very important. Then I'd get someone to
> put
> > in an engine conversion (I have an I4 in mine) and a rebuilt trans and
> while
> > that was going on I'd look at stuff like rad/gastank/brakelines. You
> could
> > probably do that for about 15K --- but you'd have a van that was going to
> be
> > trouble free for a long time.
> >
> > I wish you good luck and hope to meet you down the road someday.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Doug
> >
> > On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 12:27 PM, Brad Pauly <bpauly@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Everyone,
> >>
> >> I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge. 10 years ago I was
> >> searching pretty seriously but never pulled the trigger. This time I
> >> think I'm ready. I was hoping to get some first time buyer advice.
> >> I've been looking for '86 and newer Westys. Originally I was set on a
> >> full camper, however, I think I'd be really happy with a weekender (at
> >> least at first).
> >>
> >> I'm not really a "car guy." I'm actually an engineer on paper so I can
> >> understand most of that stuff. I do like tinkering, but it's been with
> >> bicycles all my life which are decidedly less complex. I have two main
> >> questions.
> >>
> >> Should I avoid out-of-state vans? Not having experience working on
> >> cars it makes me a little nervous. If I could find a good local
> >> mechanic to make sure things are okay I'd feel much better though.
> >>
> >> What about older vans? Am I needlessly limiting myself with '86 and
> newer?
> >>
> >> Thanks for any advice or feedback!
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Brad
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > http://www.dougalcock.com
> >
>
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