I made an offer to purchase my vanagon after only seeing a photo BUT with
the provision that a buyers diagnostic would be performed by a dealer and
any major problems would be paid for by the seller. Of course this is all
negotiable, right? In my case $1154 was deducted from the agreed price and I
went to the local VW Dealer to get the work done the following week and was
very happy with their work and with their prices.

William P.
----- Original Message -----
From: "il cikaspers" <cikasper@MAIL.CRUZIO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 9:38 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: buying cars sight unseen

> >> > People buy cars they haven't seen all over the world. In many
countries,
> >> you
> >> > buy a car then they build it.
> >
> > I bought my 1989 syncro westy a year and a half ago without driving it
or
> > seeing it in person.
>
> i did the same thing with my '87 syncro westfalia this past spring.  not
> even a picture until after i'd put $1K down on it.  i did drill the seller
> about what it was like, all questions asked with the help of the list
> standing behind me.  but when you get a deal like i did (no gory details
> for the squeamish) you have to jump or it will disappear.
>
> i had the van shipped from north carolina to santa cruz for $1K, and it
was
> worth it.  it had just 5000 miles on it since '92, though it was worked
> hard before that (120K mi from 87-92).  the right head has a  slight weep,
> the lower end is pretty tired, one of the long coolant pipes is now
cracked
> (5000 miles later), and the transmission leaks from two seals (very
> slowly).  it was dirtier inside than described, but cleaned up very well.
> had one dent on the rear panel behind the air scoop on the driver's side
> that had been pretty well removed, and no rust.
>
> i've changed the transmission/differential fluid (redline MT90 in the rear
> and MTL in the front), the oil twice, replaced the fuel injection hoses
and
> seals, got a k&n air filter, new expansion bottle and sender for the
> coolant light, new belts, new alternator, new poptop seal, and new
domestic
> water hoses.  i pulled the interior and completely cleaned it to the
paint,
> and then did a half-bulley with asphaltic mastic sheets on the sheet metal
> from the back deck all the way to the front seats.  and i cut through the
> main plywood floor and put in tracks for a single captain's chair, and we
> got the captain's chair.
>
> next project?  replacing the long coolant hoses with the shields marine
wet
> exhaust hose, flushing the cooling system, and getting those tranny leaks
> solved.
>
> would i do it again?  in a minute.  i got a '87 syncro westy for the price
> of a good deal on an '87 westy and it already has become a family
favorite.
> and it introduced me to the people of this list, and i have already had
the
> great pleasure of meeting not a few of you.  without exception we're
> eccentric people who have great passion for living and for our vans.
> having not said thanks in a while, i say thank you to all who have
helped...
>
> bill
> '87 syncro westfalia
> santa cruz, ca