Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 22:11:42 -0700
Reply-To: Marty Wallace <martywallace@ROCKETMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Marty Wallace <martywallace@ROCKETMAIL.COM>
Subject: '85 Westy
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Hi, David-
IMHO: I would JUMP on this vehicle for $4k.
I just bought a 1984 Westy (122,000 miles) this year for $6,000 even.
It's in pretty good condition and has A/C. There was another '84 Westy
in this area at that time with an asking price of $7,500. The Kelley
Blue Book retail price was right around $7k.
Yes, there CAN be MAJOR problems with heads and cooling in the 83.5-85
Vanagons (and later models, too, huh?). However, they CAN be fixed! In
my case the P.O. had already done the major stuff: new heads and a
COMPLETELY new cooling system (down to the radiator). This work was
expensive: about $2k-$3k (at a VW dealer). However, even if you pay the
$4,000 asking price, then have $2,000 worth of work done (NOT at a
dealership), you've "only" invested about $6k in an 85 Westy that you
will KNOW is in pretty good shape mechanically. I would bet that the KBB
retail value is in the neighborhood of $8k.
Having said all this, I would STILL have a reputable mechanic give it a
once-over (maybe $75 to $100, but a darn good investment).
Good luck! Let us all know how this turns out for you.
Marty Wallace (1984 Westfalia "Heisenberg")
Chico, California
----------(original message)------------
I am looking at a 1985 Vanagon Westy, approx. 98k miles. Body is in good
shape with only one ding on the rear hatch and a missing cover for the
outside power plug. Everything seems to be in good order with the
exception
of the sink faucet. (CO replaced a broken one with a sink spray nozzle and
a
switch) No tell-tale signs of leaking antifreeze, but when I looked at it,
the coolant overflow tank was dry. Engine is really dirty, but this is
West
Texas and dust is our thing. Interior is in great shape, and the A/C blows
cold. I haven't had time to test drive it yet.
Is there anything special I need to know about the 85's? I read all the
posts about leaking heads, etc. and I am a little gun-shy about a
water-cooled. Too many years driving air-cooled VW's I guess. I would
really love to "upgrade" to a newer Vanagon with heat and A/C, but I'm
concerned about the cost of repairs.
The guy (2nd owner) is only asking $4k for it. What should I look for?
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