Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 08:45:09 -0500
Reply-To: "Michael S. Nichols" <msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Michael S. Nichols" <msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: '80 vanagon camper for $5000 - is it worth it?
In-Reply-To: <01BF7412.87BC2130.jj1@mail.tds.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hello from Atlanta---$5K sounds high with any rust---I have noted several
air-cooled "garaged" campers over the last year for $2.5K-$4K. These cars
are usually used by old folks only on trips, and the rest of the time the
camper sits... With the low mileage on the one in front of you, and the
fact it is on its second motor, do not think that the low mileage is such a
wonderful thing. The rubber seals, gaskets, grommets, GAS LINES, bushings,
brake lines all get old and need replacement unless the van was stored by
the Smithsonian. If you want to see cumulative sun damage over time to the
plastic parts in a van ( Armourall treatment by seller to clean the van for
sale notwithstanding) look at the dashboard front vents by the windshield,
the back of the rear view interior mirrior, and the grab handles on the
windshield post and doors. Slide your fingernail over them, and see what
black crud is on your nail. This is the kind of damage that the sun and
time does to cars.
Be wary of cars that were buffed out, waxed, shampooed, and Armourall wiped
down so that someone could make a quick "honest" buck---just like used car
vendors do. It sounds like someone (owner two or three) paid too much for
the van, and are trying to get out breaking even, or someone bought it for
cheap, buffed it oh so nice, and are trying to make a nice profit. However,
these are not your concerns. Remember---it is a 20 year old machine, and
if you use it and care for it and want to sell it in 1 year, you will
probably be in the price range of $1500 to $3000.-
Regards, Mike Nichols
At 10:02 PM 2/10/00 -0600, Jennifer Jones wrote:
>I'm brand new here and not too experienced with Vanagons, except that I
>know I like 'em and I'd LOVE to have a camper. I live in Wisconsin, and as
>you can imagine, there ain't too many vintage VWs out here, esp campers.
> So, I happened across one for sale in the paper 2 days ago -I caught it
>the same day it went in - and went to look at this van.
>
>This thing is a beaut. Stove still has original packing material and has
>never been used, neither has the sink. Carpet looks like it was put in
>yesterday. Van still has the original manual, electrical cable, curtains,
>and snap-in screen for the back - all in perfect shape. Canvas on the
>pop-top is still soft and supple. Almost no rust. Here's the real kicker
>- the thing only has 47K original miles on it, and the last 11K of those
>are on a rebuilt engine direct from VW! I guess the original owner lived
>down in the heat of Georgia and would drive around the city with the air
>conditioning on (she had the thing fully loaded with automatic
>transmission, air and cruise control). The guy who's selling it now is the
>third owner. The original engine was leaking oil and finally blew on him 2
>years ago - he claims due to her driving in the city heat with the AC on.
> He had the person who installed it disconnect the AC and cruise control on
>the new engine.
>
>Anyway - it's REALLY been taken care of and has lived most of it's life in
>a garage. I test drove it and it's totally smooth, from what I can tell.
> Brakes are a little soft, but if pumped are better (is this normal? he
>says he replaced all the pads last year...). Runs like a charm, but I'm
>not an expert by any means, on what a VW should sound like.
>
>So, here's my delimma. I really want this thing but I'd like to get a
>maintinence and compression inspection first. We can't get it in any place
>until Monday, and he's set to show it to other people this weekend. I'm
>worried one of them will offer him the full amount on the spot. He's
>asking $5000. He said he'd be somewhat negotiable, so maybe I could talk
>him down to $4500.
>
>Should I just buy the van without getting it inspected? I can go and look
>at it again on the guy's lunch break tomorrow. I checked and the trade-in
>value of an excellent-condition '80 camper with 47,000 miles is only $1800,
>the re-sale value is about $4000. Usually, buying from an individual, the
>price should be somewhere in between the two. I don't know - but I don't
>want to loose out on this opportunity.
>
>What do people think? Is it worth $5000? Do you think he'll get an offer
>from somebody over the weekend?
>
>ANY help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. THANKS!
>
>JJ
>
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