Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 21:46:04 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject: Re: Good deal for '83 Westy?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Jon,
You are going to put some bucks into this one, sounds like a lot of
"deferred maintenance" here. Take it to a qualified VW mechanic and pay
him $50-$100 to do an inspection and repair estimate. Use this figure
to negotiate the price down, probably more like $2000-$2500.
You probably have several hundred $$ worth of brake work, exhaust, new
shocks, front upper control arm bushings (squeaks), and clutch at a
minimum. Be sure the tires are reinforced load range C, and check the
CV joints.
Remember that the air-cooled Vanagons are severely under powered too,
the 2.0l air cooled engine was never intended for the Vanagon, but the
waterleaker was not ready in time for the introduction of the Vanagon.
It still isn't ready!
Good luck!
Jon Sykes wrote:
>
> I looked at a '83 Westfalia yesterday - air-cooled and priced $3500.
> Here's a bunch of stuff I noticed about the vehicle and wondered if
> anyone can tell me if that would be a fair price - and if possible,
> what it would cost to fix:
>
> - 83 Westfalia, 150k miles (but odometer is broken)
>
> - said engine rebuilt 30k miles ago - no records, though
>
> - engine seems to run well, decent amount of power, pick-up, etc
>
> - no obvious leaks under the engine, transmission
>
> - vehicle could really use a steam cleaning
>
> - foam air barrier thingy at front of engine was not on properly - as
> I pushed it in the throttle cable tightened, revving up the engine
>
> - most of the seams on the lower half of the vehicle have small rust
> spots (not sure if these are developing from the inside or not) - no
> obvious rust in rockers, under windshield, sliding door, etc
>
> - various dings - worst is scrape all along passenger side about 2" up
> the vehicle (not rusting, yet)
>
> - cracked windshield
>
> - very spongy brakes - needed to push pedal down 2 X more than would
> expect
>
> - very squishy suspension - some creaking from the front end
>
> - clutch chatter - would go away when clutch pedal pressed down (what
> causes this?)
>
> - exhaust leaks from drivers side
>
> - oil cooler (auxiliary ?) on drivers side at back - some oil leaking
> from front hose connection
>
> - general condition inside okay - probably needs new covering on
> interior panels though
>
> - broken sliding door handle
>
> - fridge, sink, stove - assume all work
>
> - canvas ok - bug screen tears
>
> - also has the gas heater
>
> What do you think? Any tips on repair costs? Any comments or help
> would definitely be appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your help!!
>
>
>
> Jon
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Bid and sell for free at Yahoo! Auctions.
--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208
Getting your share of the Net yet?
http://www.cobaltgroup.com
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