Date:         Wed, 8 Jul 1998 11:01:51 -0700
Reply-To:     Karen Meredith <karenme@WELL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Karen Meredith <karenme@WELL.COM>
Subject:      vanagon education needed!
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A couple of vanagon camping trips have me now looking at this list and
web site at www.vanagon.com, fast becoming another vanagon "wannabe"
owner, so have just a "few" (-:  questions....

I've seen some of the recent mail re: buying an '85 camper, and reports
on the head/gasket and cooling system problems with the water-cooled
campers.  But, i bet there's more info out there, if you don't mind
being bugged one more time.... (maybe some old sent messages hanging
around, besides the archives)!?

I'd appreciate any info/opinions about the differences/pros/cons of
these water-cooled campers versus air cooled ones.  What about manual
versus auto transmissions, and "syncros?"  What about the fact that
people convert diesels using "regular" engines, and seem to love them?!
 What about newer eurovans?  And camping equipment options...

Any other basic info to knw about for someone who is not an "automobile
Savvy" type!!!

It's been suggested to me that I look at 84+ westfalia's.  I'm going
today to see an '85 westfalia with 100,000 miles, new clutch,
head/gasket job done recently.  But I am concerned about these coolant
leaking problems, and head/gasket stuff I am reading about, plus any
other details, as per usual  buyers type questions.

(i do have copy of recent buyers checklist from turnisky@juno.com and
info from swlink@aol.com on things to watch for.)

Also, any recommendations on a good VW place in SF bay area, (peninsula)
for inspections?

Thanks, much,

Karen