Hi,

Well, I thought I was crazy when I flew from Raleigh / Durham to Memphis to
purchase a Carat sight-unseen.  I have almost matched my purchase price in
repairs and general maintenance that should have been done by the D.P.O.,
and I am still in love even though I get a nickel-sized spot of coolant on
the floor every morning under the left head gasket.  Anyway, the mechanic I
use is Greg Ashe of Village Motorwerks in Raleigh.  (919) 832-0899.  (Yes, I
have it memorized).  He is not as detailed as gmbulley (who preaches:
replace EVERY fuel line, clamp, coolant hose, moving part, etc.), but he
does know how to fix Vanagons and his daily driver is an aircooled T-3
Westy.  I have a hard time believing that the seller would take his van to
an independent shop for an inspection, and / or deliver it to Atlanta for
you -- but I have heard of stranger things!   Unfortunately, my family and
work obligations prevent me from going to Raleigh to take a look at it for
you, but I can offer my backyard (in Durham) as temporary storage if that is
helpful.

Michael Townsend
townsend@rtp.ericsson.se

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, December 07, 1998 4:50 PM
Subject: Long Distance Purchasing

>Volks -
>
>I have been lurking for a few weeks, and learned lots of interesting
>stuff.  Now I have a question.
>
>One of you was kind enough to re-post some information on an 87 Westy at
>a good price in Raleigh NC.  I have been corresponding with the owner,
>and would like to buy it from him, but - I'm in Moscow Idaho.
snip>
>Anyone in the area who can recommend a mechanic, or who knows if the
>dealer is OK?
>
>
>Mike Finkbiner
>83.5 Westy