I bought our '84 with a blown engine.  I put in a spare I had around, and
since have replaced brake pads ($30), fuel tank grommets($60), and changed
the oil (several times).  We've put about 60,000 miles on it since.  It
ain't pretty, but it keeps going.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bradley Flubacher" <flubach@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: last questions on 84 Vanagon

> This is no way a standard, but-
>
> I recently spent $1995 on an '84 waterboxer with 200k miles on it.  Within
> two weeks, the transmission went (classic problem.)  I spent $500 on a
"new"
> '90 transmission from a salvage yard.  I also spent- $400 on a complete
new
> exhaust system, and around $150 or so on tune up parts-  new wires/plugs,
> cap, rotor, fuel filter, amsoil.  I also spend aro9und $30 dollars on some
> replacement lines for the cooling system.
>
> All said an almost done, this van is pretty solid. I could have gotten
away
> with only the transmission. Luckily I was able to install it with a
friend.
> This was a new experience for me.  I could've easily spent another $600 or
> so for a mechanic to install it.
>
> Moral of the story is, you need to at least be prepared to have to put a
> couple extra dollars into a new van... at least until you've thoroughly
> inspected the ins and outs of it and know what to expect in as for as what
> will go wrong in the future.
>
> Bradley Flubacher
> State College PA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Jonathan Lee
> Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 6:09 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: last questions on 84 Vanagon
>
>
> Last questions -- promise!
>
> My back is really against the wall now.  By Tuesday, I MUST have a
> vehicle with which to move harpsichords.  The alternative van I had in
> mind simply won't work (for one thing, it won't currently crank).  So,
> the Vanagon is left as my only option, unless I want to scramble for
> something else within the next few days.
>
> My questions are these:
> What are my chances that I might buy this Vanagon for $1800, and invest
> very little money in it between now and May?  Even February might
> justify the purchase -- I just can't buy a van and invest money in it
> next week . . . or next month.
>     Please keep in mind that the daily driving would be quite light.  On
> the days that I go into San Francisco, the thing would get driven 44
> miles on the freeway (granted, the morning traffic is stop-and-go).  On
> the days I don't go in, the Van would get driven about 15 miles a day.
> So, we're talking 200 miles per month here, plus a few gigs moving
> instruments 100-200 miles every other month.
>    So, are my chances in the 90% range?  The 50% range?  The 3% range?
>    If I choose to buy the Vanagon, how much will a coolant change cost
> (in Northern California)?
>    If the head gaskets go, how much will that job cost (in Northern
> California, again)?
>    If I choose to buy the Vanagon and hate it, will it sell for $1800 in
> a few months?  I've noted that, here in Berkeley, somebody is selling an
> '84 Synchro that needs a new engine for $6,900.  Perhaps they're a bit
> nuts, but that gives me some hope that the Vanagon I'm considering is at
> least worth what I'm paying for it. . .
>
> best,
> Jon
> ---
> Jonathan Rhodes Lee
> jrlee@mailandnews.com
>