Hi Volks--  At last there is a Westy for sale in Fairbanks:

1988, 91k miles, 2wd, manual, second owner since '92, $7400

What are your favorite buyer-beware features?

I've driven my '87 Syncro 7-pax since 1995, and have been on the list since
then, so I'm familiar with Vanagons and Syncros.  But I have not paid
attention to Westy-specific weak points.

I had a quick look at the Westy for sale, and in addition to several nice
scratches and dings, there is rust at the base of the refrigerator.  Other
furnishings look decent but have seen use, not pristine.  Some wavy plastic
trim on the rear roof cabinet.  New exhaust and cat in '01.  New head
gaskets years ago.

My list archive search, and Google search, gave me a few items to look for:
ice cube trays, utility covers, screens.  BusDepot.com and Vanagon.com have
brief checklists for smart shopping.

If anyone has brought their used Westy home after purchase, and found a
nasty surprise, please let me know what it was.

Where should I look for rust, besides body panel seams and windshield
frames?

Cheers and thanks in advance--
Chris Wyatt
Fairbanks, Alaska
'87 Syncro GL 142k