ok... maybe I'm sorry I asked! Seriously, thanks everyone for offering up
your thoughts... I am sure I'll ask more pointed questions once a westy or
two really gets me going.

yes, the headlight comment is based on info from gowesty... like all the
rest of the info I've read I know there are lots of opinions on pro/con. I
do have "reliable" as something I need in my vehicle... if I'm going to a
race I can't really afford to get there the week after, so I assume "newer"
means there is a better chance of getting parts and finding a mechanic "out
there" who knows how to work on it. That is the one thing the eurovan
tempted me with... then I saw a bay in the lot next to my jetta today when
it was getting serviced and knew at least locally I was good with any vw : )

diesel... i am on my second diesel jetta and would love to stay diesel,
however i get the impression that is the second-most expensive option in
terms of maintenance (synco being first). Not running cost... just upgrades,
repairs, replacement.

age... well, it definitely has to younger than me! I do think I should start
newer, and if enthusiasm takes me farther back then I'll look for someone to
help fund that commitment.

my needs are simple...
learning enough to find / recognize a good westy that's comfortable for long
trips, and has a high probability of getting there on time
not too expensive to keep in good shape, my budget is limited (and as I
indicated, my skills to do the repairs are limited too)
low running costs (and all of them have small engines and are old enough to
get senior's discounts on insurance!)

all this leads me to think an 87-91 vanagon, yes? no?

and, when I ask people about their westy's for sale... i ask
some high res photos
how long have they owned it (and do they know its full history)
what do they call it
where does it leak
and what really needs to be fixed within the next year or 3

anything more i should focus on?

On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Peter T. Owsianowski <
pnoceanwesty@gmail.com> wrote:

> Best quote about buses:
>
> They will steal your heart and leave your brains by the side of the
> road..."
>
>
> Pete
> '79 Westy "Aardvark"
> '87 Westy "JoesVan"
> WWW.Busesbythebeach.com
>
> --
/Peter K
> You can find me at http://studiofstop.com