I agree with Jeff on this one.  I live in the North East.  I have owned
vehicles like the one in this picture.  You come across them from time
to time, a little old lady or man who bought this van back in 86 and
kept it inside, used it very little and then died or went into a home.
Low mileage, sweet body, etc.  However, low mileage means less and less
with these vans.  Low mileage means that there has been very little to
no maintenance done and every part that is rubber or plastic is dry
rotten and just waiting to fall apart when the next person buys it.  It
means that inside the engine, it looks like a rat tried to chew his way
out and almost made it.  On top of all of that this is an early GL where
the rear seat does not turn into a bed.  So it is only good as a people
hauler, not a day camper.  I have had these here and sold them for a
couple of thousand dollars, maybe a little more if they are extremely
nice, but this isn't the kind of van that even a collector is looking
for.  They want something cool, special or out of the ordinary.  Not
just a plain jane GL with only option being AC.

To compare this with a Go Westy van or other vans being sold is like
comparing apples and oranges.  The vans for sale there have been gone
through and restored.  That is an expensive process but when you are
done you should have a vehicle that is almost like a remanufactured
car.  It is ready for the road or to show.  The vehicle in question will
need extensive work done after the next owner takes possession because
it just hasn't been driven daily in years and years.  It may look good
now but start using it every day and within six months all of the stuff
will start falling apart.  BTDT on these low mileage vans.

We are entering a new age with our Vanagons.  It is the age of
restoration.  If you want a nice van, buy a restored one, or restore
yours.  If you want to be burnt buy a low mileage van that has very
little to no service history.

Just my advice.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 12/19/2010 11:06 PM, Jeff Schwaia wrote:
> Poking around the Samba today. saw this '86G:
>
>
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> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1056160
>
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> Only $11.5k!
>
>
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> Sure, it's nice, but $11k?  Good luck.
>
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> Advertiser's name is Foolish Frog.  Kind of fits.
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>
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> Cheers,
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>
>
> Jeff
>