Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 14:48:12 -0700
Reply-To: Karen Meredith <karenme@WELL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Karen Meredith <karenme@WELL.COM>
Subject: questions about westfalias FS
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
If anyone feels inclined to giving me advice/opinions about the
condition and value of a couple campers I'm looking at, i'd be more than
happy to hear from you! These two are in SF bay area.
One of the camper's is an '87 4 spd, 89,000 m.
Original owner has done No major repairs,ie., No head or other engine
work, no clutch replacement, no water pump, etc. He has records from
last two years service. This shop seems to have only been changing the
oil every 5,000+ miles, they trued the front and rear brakes at 75,000
miles, replaced the stepped hose to the water pump, replaced thermostat
housing, and did a tune up. She confirmed the coolant in the van was
the correct sort. At 84,000 miles it had 75% front brakes, 35% rear.
She noted an oil leak around the distributor but they didn't do anything
about it. THey think something's wrong with the temp. sensor as the
coolant and oil lights come on at times when the vehicle is not
over-heating. He has not done anything about it. I looked under the car
and there is fresh oil dripping moderately slowly at the back under the
engine. It is making small puddles under the vehicle, but it was hard
for me to know how long the van had been sitting in that spot to create
the puddles. Probably a few hours?
The owner also gave me # of the previous mechanic who was very vague and
didn't seem to have records about what was done on the car.
The rear and front tires don't match. Fronts are micheline's, having a
reasonable amount of tread. The rears look to me like they are in need
of replacement! 3 of the hubcaps are broken and the internal driver
door handle is missing. The pop-top has mold on it, the screening is
ripped and the carpeting and seat cushions need cleaning. I couldn't
get the fridge to start on the propane, (but that could just as well be
me as a problem with the propane thing!! (-: )
What is this vehicle worth, given that it will likely need major repairs
in the near future?
The other camper is an '88 westfalia, 4spd., 102,000m
The current owner says he put in a new clutch and did a brake job. I
haven't seen the receipts (I've yet to see this one on friday or
saturday.) The heads were done by the previous (original) owner at an
east bay shop. I spoke to the mechanic and he confirms they replaced
the heads about 2 years ago, around 87,000 m. He did a tune up at 86,000
and replaced the water pump, a coolant bottle, and used the correct
coolant he says.
The owner says camping gear is working, pop-top is good. But, this van
is missing the passenger side rear-view mirror, apparently also needs
the thermostat sensor thing replaced, and has a small crack in the
windshield, apparently amounting to ~$600.
The owner is asking 11,000 but told me on the phone he'll knock off
$1,000 or more to sell fast, (i think he owes money on it). Is it
possibly worth the $10,000, he's asking?
Thanks much again,
Karen
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