Good advice.  I would add not to examine it in the rain.  I did, and while
I'm not dissatisfied, I didn't notice some things, like a bondo-ed left
quarter panel and paint job from an earlier accident.

Charles
'85 Westy auto

At 02:49 PM 6/8/01 -0600, DrCory wrote:
>I recently bought an '85 Vanagon long distance and can relate my success
>and recomendations.
>
>1) know what you want and be willing to say 'no'(I spent a year and a half
>looking, with 2 near misses.)
>2) Get pictures. (no further explanaition needed)
>3) Be bold and ask questions. (Pics of mine showed an '86 grill on the '85.
>suspecting collision, I asked. found out about the new engine (inline 4)
>and transmission (5 speed) that was not in the original info!!!)
>4)Don't fall 'in love' with it just yet. (in all of the pictures, there was
>none of the right rear quarter. I was so thrilled I never noticed the
>absence. So I didn't see the minor damage over the rear wheelwell until I
>picked it up. Also, the mileage was off from advertised.)
>5) Be sure you get all proper paperwork. (I called local DMV and my
>insurance Before, to be sure I had a list of all that I would need.)
>6) Expect that the car will not be perfect. Know what is important and what
>you can tolerate. (Aside from the minor body damage, mine had a dead
>airconditioner compressor and an exhausr leak.)
>7) Since its long distance, price and logistics of delivery will need to be
>considered. (I flew out and drove back. Added $250 to the price.)
>8) Run the VIN.  maybe should be #1.(CARFAX.com. $20. don't get cheap on this)
>9) If its not what you expected upon pick-up be ready to walk away. This is
>the first 'in person' inspection you will likely have.(flew to SF to pick
>up mine to drive home. all through the flight out I was mentally prepareing
>my self to fly back if needed. see #4)
>
>I also had a few pleasant surprises. with the new engine came some upgrades
>in the electrics that I couldn't see and didn't know to ask. dual
>batteries, new stereo, additional sound insulation.
>
>I did pay for the engine and trans. but based on the jaw drop of my Vanagon
>Mechanic,  and even though I'll be spending more to fix those other issues,
>I believe I got a good deal.
>
>In conclusion, when buying long distance, keep your wits and think it
>through. Work out the logistics of transfer and be willing to say no. After
>all there are a lot of these vans out there.
>
>Cory Hawkins
>'85 Eurospec Conversion "Spunky"
>
>--------------------
>Life is not what happens to you...
>But how you choose to respond to it!!!