I forgot I took some pictures with my iPhone. I just downloaded and
posted them. There are many more of the '90 since I went to look at
that one. I started to talk to the shop owner about it when he
mentioned he had the '88 for sale.

Additional info:
'90. It has been sitting about 18 months. After the engine "went bad"
the owner bought a '91 burgundy Carat. At some point someone broke out
the back window so they swapped the entire back hatch. For some stupid
reason they cut the wires. The rear hatch is in the back seat as is
the damaged bumper which they swapped. The hatch has been off for
about a month. I suspect that the engine is OK but when it wams up it
will barely idle which causes a low oil pressure alarm. Or it may be
shot.
Pictures: <http://kippert.com/vanagon/88carat/>

'88. It has been sitting for 2-3 years. The shop owner says he has a
good engine that he bought for the van which he'll include. The
sliding door window was broken out about a year ago. He has another
window/frame in the van.
Pictures: <http://kippert.com/vanagon/90carat/>

Mark K
1986 GL/2WD/4SPD

On May 25, 2009, at 9:56 AM, Mark A Kippert wrote:

> I went to look at 1990 Vanagon Carat someone is selling for parts or
> to restore. Mainly it has engine trouble. The owner says that after
> about 10 minutes you get the low oil pressure alarm and it looses
> power (won't accelerate). It has other minor issues and a pretty
> decent body. They want $500.
>
> Here's the thing. While looking at it (at a local VW repair shop) I
> spotted 1988 Carat! It was in pretty much the same condition. The shop
> owner is selling this one. He said the engine knocks. He bought it
> from the original owner and has an extra engine. Unfortunately he
> doesn't have time to work on it and wants about $500. This one is a
> Wolfsburg edition.
>
> Both are burgundy. Both have a full set of Carat Wheels with caps.
> Both bodies are decent although the '88 has some minor seam rust. The
> '90 has an rough rear bumper and needs a rear window. Both are
> automatic (lie my parts van).
>
> I have my '86 GL and an '87 GL for parts.
>
> I like the '90 just a little better but wonder if I should consider
> the '88 since I have an '87 parts van.
>
> Heck I'd like to buy both but my wife will likely kill me for showing
> up with just one of them.
>
> Is there an advantage to buying the '90 over the '88 in terms parts
> availability or ease of repair?
>
> Is one more valuable than the other?
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Mark K
> 1986 GL/2WD/4SPD