Sam,
There are a million small things to look for, but the expensive ones that I
can think of right now are:
1.    If it is a Syncro, make sure all tires are the same brand, model,
size, tread pattern and degree of wear. If they are not, the viscous
coupling may be bad or its life shortened.
2.    If it is a Syncro, it should not feel like the tires are scrubbing
whey you go around a turn with a normal turning radius. If it does, the
viscous coupling may be engaged all the time. There is also a test for
making sure the viscous coupling does engage when needed, but I have
forgotten the details... search the archives if no one else volunteers this
information.
3.    Crawl under the engine and look for head gasket leaks... coolant leaks
often show themselves as yellow/green stuff that has oozed out of the head
gasket and solidified in small protruding deposits.
4.    If it has air conditioning make sure it works. It can cost over $1000
to get it fixed in some cases.
5.    Generally look it over. If it looks like it has been well taken care
of then it probably has. If it looks abused, then it probably was. Look at
the oil dip stick... is the oil dirty? is it full? Look at the coolant fill
tank... is it full or low. If it has a bra insist on looking under it as
bras can hide paint or body damage. Crawl under the van... look for new
parts, new paint, etc... I looked at one once and it had lots of black paint
that was an attempt to cover up new repairs to a van that had been in an
accident.
6.    There is a web site (ask the list, someone knows I'm sure) that you
can enter the VIN number and get back all records of all the service that
was performed at VW dealers over the years since it was new... this can give
you some idea of what was repaired, when, frequency of service, etc. The
odometer readings at time of service can also give you an idea if the
odometer has been cooked or now.
7.    Definitely drive them both. Compare. Trust what you feel.
8.    If it is hard to shift into any of the gears when shifting that can be
the first sign of a transmission rebuild in the near future. Though this is
somewhat normal when it is cold outside.
9.    It should have tires rated for the weight of a fully packed Westy... I
forget the weight specifications, but there are VERY few tires that make the
grade. See the archives.
10.    Open the engine compartment and smell for gas. Look at ALL the fuel
hoses for signs of seeping. It is fairly common for older vanagons to
develop gas leaks at the hose connections that often result in a burned out/
totaled vanagon. I've seen many of these in the junk yards.
Good Luck... that's more than I knew when I bought mine.
Also you might get better/more responses if you repost your question with a
more specific subject line so people know what your post is about...
something like... "Buying used.. what look for?"
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Josovitz <BRIER5@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, December 20, 1999 5:57 PM
Subject: to the list

>i am going to dowon to look at 2 westies 1986 and 1987 that are for sale i
>was wondering if someone could give me somethings i should look for when
>buying a westy i don't know what i should look for when i buy a vechile
that
>will be for daily driving any help would be great
>
>sincerely sam
>76 vw bus
>http://members.aol.com/brier5/my1stwebpage.html  pics of my bus
>