Roy was right.
I didn't get a second chance.
It was sold by the time I got a second look at it.

I got an education and I get to keep my $3700 for a little longer.
Still looking, no hurry, now I prefer a later model with AT.

Thanks to all.
Larry Wissig

roy@juno.com wrote:

> Lary;
> Go with your first impression, BUY THE CAMPER, If I was there you would
> not get a second chance because I would have purchased it immediately
> upon what you know about it.AS far as the AC being warm, I have sold
> almost 300 Westfalia campers in the past four years and have not run
> across one with AC that did not need to be recharged, probably only take
> a pound of freon, They all leak for lack of use,seals dry up ,but if you
> run it each other week for 20 minutes or so you probably will not
> encounter that problem, It is not necessary to use the autobahn anti
> freeze,as long as you keep the anti freeze fresh and your water
> site/overflow bottle bottle remains at the level it should don't worry
> about it , sounds like this camper has everything going for it and as I
> say if it was in Ca. you would not have gotten a second chance to
> considerit. I would own it. PERIOD Don't assume the heads are shot or
> even leaking, they all have minor seepage ,give the guy a deposit, spend
> 75.00 at a VW FACTORY STORE to have a prepurchase inspection done ,and
> then buy it , If you don't let me know where in Fla it is and who to talk
> to and I will buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> This is my humble opinion, and hope your answer to what you appear to be
> making a dilema
> Regards ,Roy
> On Sun, 5 Jul 1998 12:02:20 -0700 Larry Wissig <lwissig@MINDSPRING.COM>
> writes:
> >Thanks to everyone for the help.
> >I'm still looking at it.
> >
> >More info:
> >I drove it for a while last week, seems to run good,
> >a bit rough at idle but no oil light.
> >AC is blowing warm.
> >Owner says it worked last summer,
> >they have been annually recharging it for a few years. Haven't yet
> >this
> >year.
> >
> >So I'm figuring the worst case here, major AC work.
> >I have a guy that did a good job on my 91 Mazda so I'll just budget
> >for
> >the worst.
> >Maybe I'll be lucky and get away with a few hundred.
> >
> >Interior is absolutely spotless. And all the camper stuff works.
> >Fridge (3 way) stove, sink, lights,  poptop, awning, porto-potty.
> >Has after market gas heater. Tables not in van, may be missing.
> >
> >Body is solid. No rust. One big dent in door. Dark brown with tan top.
> >
> >Mileage seem right. van is currently driven on a 50 mile commute a few
> >times per week.
> >Was family camper, family grown up.
> >Owners are selling because they are moving and can't take it with
> >them.
> >
> >Here's the scary part. --->
> >Owner didn't know about any special coolant.
> >He says he's just been using regular antifreeze at 50%.
> >Hasn't changed it much cause he didn't need to....
> >just keeps on topping it off.....
> >
> >So I got to assume it's leaking at the head.
> >
> >He keeps it in the driveway and says he's
> >seen no leaks, so it's probably going somewhere in the compression
> >chamber and burning off.
> >
> >
> >So here's the bottom line.
> >I love this camper, it's been well loved and taken care of by people
> >who
> >
> >cleaned polished and waxed it and fixed everything regularly...
> >but who thought it was OK to maintain leaky systems (AC, coolant) by
> >just adding fluid.
> >This will cost me some...
> >
> >I'm inclined to buy anyway, but to try and get the price down so that
> >I will have some cash cushion to fix the AC and engine (at worst case
> >new heads) .
> >I read Bob Donald's fixit instructions, I could go for it myself but
> >time is an issue.
> >
> >I'm driving it again with the family today and will try to take it to
> >a
> >mechanic on Monday
> >
> >Any last words before I plunge?
> >
> >
> >Thanks.
> >Larry Wissig.
> >
> >>
> >> I'm looking at an 85 Camper tomorrow.
> >> 108K miles and very clean. Looks good, also supposed to drive good.
> >> It has after market AC (vital here in FL, 97 degrees today).
> >> For sale by original owner who bought it in Germany.
> >> Asking $3700.
> >>
> >> Questions?
> >>
> >> What is it worth?
> >> Will it be reliable?
> >> What kind of engine is in it?
> >> I've owned a few old buses,
> >> including a cherry 67 that looked great but ate up a lot of my cash.
> >> Will it be similar to those or is it totally different in character?
> >> What should I look out for?
> >>
> >> Any help appreciated.
> >>
> >> // Larry Wissig
> >> // lwissig@mindspring.com
> >
>
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