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Gvan
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Ontario,Canada
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:20 am    Post subject: New owner/member say Hello Reply with quote

Hi
It’s been a month and first 1000 km as I own my van.
I thought it is the time to share my story.

Some time ago my wife and I came to conclusion that we need a bigger vehicle. We have 2 kids, mother in law moving in this summer, so obviously, my trusty ’97 Jetta wouldn't be big enough for all of us.
So I started my search.
I had 3 simple requirements:
1- I should like it. I’ll be driving it daily.
2 - It should be durable and DIY friendly. Again me.
3 - Big enough to walk front to back. So it easy to “fix kids” if you need to. Who have kids will understand Wink

Of course my choice fall to Odyssey - touring model. Such a good decision! Like all of it, but... After checking at the internet my opinion changed. (I’ll skip the details,if interested google Honda Odyssey).
The rest of new vans didn’t meet first two requirements.

Next I found ’03 Ford E-350, 7.3 diesel, 7 seater, 116 km. Fully loaded, very good looking van from Ford dealer.
There is an old saying: If it quack like a duck, and look like a duck - it must be a duck, right? Oh well... I’ll never know now... Some one bought it half an hour before I arrive there.

Next I found this ad... 1990 VW Westfalia camper van, 156 km from VW dealer.
It triggered my curiosity. I called the dealer. Older gentleman over the phone had told me: Van is a 7 seater - not a camper, been at dealership for years - not a fresh trade or so, nothing wrong with it, besides it is 20+ old vehicle... Confused
Would you believe that? Honestly...no? And I didn't.
That is why I waited whole week and only next saturday we all went to check it. I needed whole family opinion on that.
Upon closer inspection it revealed, that it was true. 1990 Vanagon GL. Straight body. Only slide door been repainted. Rusty spot on the right side behind front wheel where panels meet. Dent above left rear light. Some rust spots here and there. Crack on rear bumper.
Front end in very good shape. No cracked rubber. Rear good as well.
Interior all in very good shape. I sincerely was surprised. Need throughout cleaning, yellow spots on seats. Vinyl cracked on some panels. Carpets OK, but need some cleaning.
Engine overall original, no extra wires or so. No oil or coolant spots on a ground under vehicle. I checked that before start it. Thought some oil leak present. Tires old and cracked. Original books, stamps until 97 from other VW dealership.
So far not bad at all! Surprised
We all took it for a test drive. Odometer working. Since suspension in good shape, I tend to believe it original km, as salesperson said, but you never believe them any way, right? Cool
On a road it was not a fastest van around, but with me,my wife,2 kids and that guy, let say weight like my mother-in-law, it pulls OK for city traffic. But we are not from city. From where I am, people often drive the speed limit - 80 km/h. And I can’t afford any more speed tickets any way. Smile

After some debates with the dealer, we bought it! Very Happy
One week was given to them to certify and emission test it. Total price I paid - 4250 CAD all in.

That week I could barely wait till saturday come.

Saturday finally arrived. We went to pick it up.

I was very surprised to find out: new tires all around, new brake cylinders in rear, rear break shoes,oil+filter and new wipers all around!!! Wow!!! I have 3 pages of receipts.
Needless to say that I was very quick to say thank you and drove it away!!! Cool
Still, while writing these lines, I think that was a very good deal!

Later on, my son and me found a set of almost new curtains and jar of blue VW coolant under 3rd seat. Barely used jack and tools. Almost new spare tire marked 97-99(year of production).

What you think guys? Rolling Eyes

Greg.
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MKIII and Sons
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Joined: December 10, 2007
Posts: 271
Location: penn
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

so you just bought a '97 eurovan with less then 200k on it?

thats pretty cool.
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SteveVanB
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Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^^^Huh?

If you like it, that's what matters! Welcome.
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91 CARAT
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madspaniard
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Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

welcome to the Samba, post pics!

sounds like a 1990 Vanagon
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17007
Location: Retired South Florida
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations.
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DAIZEE
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Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to Vanagonitis. Some confused, how can it be a Vanagon and a Eurovan. Man did you score good on the surprises! Good for you, enjoy!
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
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CQ
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Joined: April 11, 2009
Posts: 546
Location: San Diego, CA
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MKIII iz KING wrote:
so you just bought a '97 eurovan with less then 200k on it?

thats pretty cool.


I think he said it is a 90 Vanagon.......

Welcome and dont forget to change.........anyone?
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82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.
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DAIZEE
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Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's Vitally important that you......
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
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bjrogers86auto
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Joined: March 26, 2009
Posts: 1375
Location: Halifax, N.S.
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 1:01 pm    Post subject: vans Reply with quote

FUEL LINES BABAY!!!!


Brian. Welcome.

Sorry....felt gooood!

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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.
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j_dirge
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Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the madhouse!
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-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

danfromsyr wrote:
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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fastwagens
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 1028
Location: Michigan (The other west coast)
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 3:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

welcome
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Texxxxx
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Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 448
Location: Monterey, CA
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome, Gvan.

This forum is full of great information that will help you with your van.
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'85 GL w/2.1L "The Tardis"
It's A Vanagon Day
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syncrodoka
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Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 11998
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello Smile
Dig around the FAQ stickies and you will find plenty of info to start with. Don't hesitate to ask questions when you run into a problem.
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GBA 88West LA
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Joined: September 04, 2008
Posts: 1279
Location: New Hampshire
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

welcome to your new occupation, hang your hat stay awhile VW Logo
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88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin
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Gvan
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Ontario,Canada
Gvan is offline 

PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you everyone.
Here photo of it.
It take a while to figure it out how to resize it to upload to samba. Very Happy

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
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CQ
Samba Member


Joined: April 11, 2009
Posts: 546
Location: San Diego, CA
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work on posting.. you are already above the curve, half of us struggle on how to post pictures.
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82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.
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thummmper
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Joined: November 25, 2009
Posts: 2015
Location: Meadow Valley, California Republic
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 8:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the archive! congrats on your new adventure--you have done well--I have a 90 tin top too. gosh, she looks swell.
it seems like it's destiny that she waited for you
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Ahwahnee
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Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9775
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 1:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
- Big enough to walk front to back. So it easy to “fix kids” if you need to.


Never thought about it that way -- but very true. Just don't try to fix your mother-in-law. That would be wrong.

Congrats on your nice van.
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DAIZEE
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Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 1:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NICE
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
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blake28
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Joined: September 29, 2005
Posts: 141
Location: Iowa City, IA
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice van.

You should replace the engine bay fuel lines. They have been known to leak with age.

If it is a manual transmission I would also recommend crawling under the van and greasing up the shifter linkage rod. This makes a huge difference on shifting smoothness.
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