Funny, I am in the same situation : Computer engineer looking for a Vanagon Westfalia, but I'm in Montreal! Just sold my Split Westfalia 66, sigh! I'm looking for a Vanagon Westfalia Full Camper 88 to 91. There is a lot of them in Quebec now - I found more on non VW related ad sites (like kijiji, auto123 and such)...

I've found several web sites that helped me create a checklist that I fill in when looking at a van for sale - I made it in a printable excel sheet (email me privately if you want a copy, I'm new to this mailing list and don't know if attachments get through) - it takes my husband and I about 1 hour to look around/inside/under a van and chat with the owner... 

I am basing my inspection on those sites :

-I cut & paste most of this checklist :
http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/buying/bus-buyers-guide/index.htm

- I read carefully this extensive guide of things to look at :
http://www.vwcamperguide.com/html/vw_t3_buyers_guide.html

- I often use the year / model description find here to figure which year a van really is from a brief ad :
http://www.vanagon.com/info/years/index.htm

- I plan on doing the Senior Condelli's checklist with the selected van before buying :
http://www.frankcondelli.com/inspect.htm

- and I look at TheSamba list of most useful threads whenever I need more info :
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151300

Hope this will help any newby to Vanagon like me found their dream van!

Caroline

---
G�nther - VW Squareback 69
www.igloovert.com 
Montr�al,
 Qc, 
  Canada 

                                          
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