Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 01:47:36 -0400
Reply-To: Janette & Dick Smith <varieze@ASCENT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Janette & Dick Smith <varieze@ASCENT.NET>
Subject: Re: Advice on buying
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
We bought our Westy in Augusta, GA in May of 97 for the sum of $3,000 and it
included all original equipment as well as the POs camping equipment.
Pots, pans, silverware, lanterns, etc. I checked the site www.ep.com at
least twice a day for over 6 months prior to finding it. And if it
wasn't for the spouse we wouldn't have it today, as when it came up at 3
grand and she asked "Why don't you check on that one dear" I replied at that
price it has to be a parts car or a junker. When I finally checked at her
insistance and it turned out to be a good buy. We took a weekend, drove
from NY to GA and brought it home. I had never driven any type of VW
prior to this so I guess that was a plus as I simply kept it in the green
and still do. Bought at 89,000 mi and now has 109,000 mi. No leaks and
no repairs yet, other than an alternater replacement just before purchase
(knock on wood). We are the third owners and owner number two bought it
for the sole purpose of going to Alaska during the 50 year celebration of
the AlCan Highway, so it has seen some travel. The PO had me use his
plates and insurance to bring the vehicle home and then mail them back.
Another thing that is quite remarkable is that according to servicing
stickers on the door jamb this vehicle sat in his carport for the better
part of 3 years. The stickers were 32 months apart and showed just 37
miles difference between them. Probably sounds ficticious to some but we
have it and all the paperwork to boot. Also I said that I had never
driven a VW prior to this but I have had some experience with the engines as
I'm a past member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and have
used two different VW engine conversions in past projects. To my best
knowledge I have around 150 hours flying time behind VW engines.
Janette & Dick Smith
85 Westfalia--Sally Ann
Norwich, NY
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Cain <jcain@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: Advice on buying
> Where are you buying these Westys? An 86 w/over 300,000 and an 85 w/over
> 250,000 both for $5900?
>
> Maybe prices in Atlanta are lower. I bought Herbie, '85 w/ 65,000
original
> miles kept in garage, in Feb 99 for $5500. Spent about $500 right away so
> price is similar. I think I got a deal, but, I called on several in the
> paper when looking and there were 84-86s with 110,000-150,000 on them and
> all for right around $5000-6000. Maybe it was the time of year, Feb in
> Atlanta is not great camping weather.
>
> Anyway, the point for me is, if prices are that much higher elsewhere,
> could I pick them up here and drive them somewhere to sell for profit
> enough to pay for trip? I would like to visit other parts of country and
> love Westying, so if I can turn a profit or at least break even for
> vacations, I'd like to give it a try.
>
> Let me hear from around the country/world abour prices for Westys that
have
> been sold within the past year, with aprox condition and mileage. Every
> time you hear of one sold or for sale, post it. I'll start making a data
> base to see what is going on. If it is good, I won't tell anyone so I can
> make the killing. If it is not so good, I'll share. :-)
>
> Include for data base:
> Year
> miles
> general condition (great, good, fair, poor, parts only)
> location
> price
> date sold
> any comments
>
> Go Westy, young man, Go Westy! (Or, old man, young woman, old woman,
.....)
>
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