Al, If someone shows up with a list like that, they would get the boot.  I am the kind of person you want to buy a van from but my patience would be exhausted with that level of questioning from a newbie.  

I would say:  1.  "Tell me about the van", and form an opinion about the owner.  2.  Take it to a VW shop to have it checked out if you don't get sufficient detail and trust from question 1.  It probably helps to look at/drive a few vans too before you are ready to buy, so when the right one comes along, you will recognize it and not have already bought the first POS you looked at.

Dave

--- On Wed, 1/19/11, Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Hi Brad,� Heres a relevant pointer:
> 
> http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/buying/bus-buyers-guide/index.htm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 9:27 AM, Brad Pauly <bpauly@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge. 10 years
> ago I was
> > searching pretty seriously but never pulled the
> trigger. This time I
> > think I'm ready. I was hoping to get some first time
> buyer advice.
> > I've been looking for '86 and newer Westys. Originally
> I was set on a
> > full camper, however, I think I'd be really happy with
> a weekender (at
> > least at first).
> >
> > I'm not really a "car guy." I'm actually an engineer
> on paper so I can
> > understand most of that stuff. I do like tinkering,
> but it's been with
> > bicycles all my life which are decidedly less complex.
> I have two main
> > questions.
> >
> > Should I avoid out-of-state vans? Not having
> experience working on
> > cars it makes me a little nervous. If I could find a
> good local
> > mechanic to make sure things are okay I'd feel much
> better though.
> >
> > What about older vans? Am I needlessly limiting myself
> with '86 and newer?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice or feedback!
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Brad
> >
>