andrewbell wrote:

> Hello List -
>
> I apologize for the long drawn out story. I'll be as brief as possible.
>
> If you have some time, I'd like your advise. Here's the scoop: I've
> owned an Van '84 GL for almost four years, my first water cooled bus. It
> has 170,000 and although not fresh, very healthy. I re-push rod tubed it
> two years ago, and it has run synthetic ever since. Platinum quads/K&N,
> good exhaust, SA wheels/Agilis, SA grill, nice complete interior. The
> exterior is also complete and rust free after a sandblasting session two
> years ago. Drives and handles great!
>
> But, I'm expecting my first child and live in Minnesota where 6 months
> of the year can really be treacherous driving. Grandpa lives in northern
> Minnesota, and sometimes a 2 WD can get stick just by looking at it
> wrong. I've always wanted a Syncro for this reason but could not quite
> justify, or find the right one. They're damn hard to find!
>
> Now I find one is up for sale in Mpls. The guy is kind of paring down,
> and the syncro is going. Please help me rationalize this as I may not be
> totally sane ( I drove trough a red light just to go see it - I NEVER do
> that!).
>
> He's asking $2,600 as is. It is a 1987 Syncro GL maroon/Grey interior 7
> passenger & it needs:
>
> 1. Dash fan
> 2. Inner head light lense (Passenger)
> 3. New/different rear bumper & all 4 corner guards
> 4. Engine tin over push rod tubes
> 5. New exhaust in 5000 miles (it's welded together to become air-tight)
> 6. New brake pads (the brake pedal pushes up when you turn motor off)
> 7. AC recharge (or I may just remove it and give it to someone)
> 8. Seem rust repair (same as mine for about $1000)
> 9. One interior arm rest and sliding door track guard (aluminum plate
> thing)
> 10. Some drive train work (it shimmies between 40 and 60 MPH)
> 11. A good tune up - super sluggish 2.1
> 12. Interior is really dirty (grease monkey), though not ripped or
> trashed
>
> In it's defense it has new Continental M&S on 14" steel wheels, new push
> rod tubes, a new u-joint, fold down bed, and all the comforts of home
> that the '84 GL doesn't.
>
> I know it will need periodic preventive maintenance, I can do a lot of
> it. I can't pull motors or tranies, though. Will I be throwing $3000 at
> it to make it a happening, safe vehicle for my family? I can do allot of
> work myself, but not the sandblasting or drive train stuff.
>
> Thanks for you consideration, I value your opinion! I apologize for the
> disjointed posting - happy Memorial day.
>
> AB

Sounds like a reasonable price if the engine is apparently sound.
 You didn't mention the miles.
I'm not sure why you believe that there is a brake problem.

Larry A.