TheSamba.com :: View topic - New Member Advice: purchase 2003 Eurovan Weekender

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:22 am

Hello folks,

Brand new member. I've always dreamt of owning a camper van and am thinking about buying a 2003 Weekender w/ Westfalia pop-top and ~89,000 miles. I need some advice.

The vehicle is in Queens NY. It does not run or drive after having been parked for some time (maybe three months). The Carfax is very clean, two owner, no real accidents, good history, no visible signs of catastrophic failure, no rust, no mold and it's fairly complete.

With the owner's help I tried to jump start the van (after clearing codes via ODBII device). Initially I got several fast clicks in succession (starter? solenoid?), but after that first attempt I could only hear a small (relay?) click under the right side of the dashboard -- I couldn't get the engine to turn over at all.

The owner has only one key (it's a standard, old-school VW key like from the 90s, not a fob with buttons). There were no signs of an immobilizer issue.

The owner reports that the engine needs a cam position sensor, but I suspect it needs much, much more work (starter? sensors? electrical system? timing chains? valves? head? engine?), so I know I'm on the hook to spend several thousand dollars getting this Weekender back on the road. I'm willing to do it.

I've contacted a local VW shop (Brunos in Queens) -- they're booked out for three weeks, but they are willing to diagnose the van and do the work. I could leave the car parked where it is in the meantime and then get it towed via AAA in late September.

The seller is asking $5000, but he will negotiate. I know there are tons of red flags, but is there anything obvious that I'm missing? Any advice about whether to jump in or walk away would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:43 am

$5K is a good price IF the engine will run. It may just need a starter. Cam sensors are easy to replace.

What codes did it have?

Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:21 am

EuroTec wrote: $5K is a good price IF the engine will run. It may just need a starter. Cam sensors are easy to replace. What codes did it have?

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the codes.

Internally, my codes are:
- Heart = yes
- Head = no

Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:38 am

The Eurovan is a vehicle with a *lot* of issues. I was only comfortable buying the 2002 EVC we have because it was in great shape and had a very clean inspection report from an experienced EV shop.
Guess what? We still have our EV and it has issues.

Run away....

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:42 am

Welp, the seller is down to $3K. Thoughts?

https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/d/astoria-vw-eurovan-with-pop-up-roof/7529432397.html

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:43 am

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:51 am

At a bare minimum, I would want to hear it turn over with the starter and do a compression test. If it has good compression, I'd go for it at $3k, but hay, I'm a mechanic that works on these and owns one so.... biased opinion.

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:54 am

EuroTec wrote: At a bare minimum, I would want to hear it turn over with the starter and do a compression test. If it has good compression, I'd go for it at $3k, but hay, I'm a mechanic that works on these and owns one so.... biased opinion.

I hear you loud and clear. I'm very torn, but I know that walking away is the right thing to do.

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:49 pm

Unless you plan on all the work yourself, walk away

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:50 pm

Your camper van is out there! :roll:

Sat Sep 03, 2022 3:01 pm

I would imagine a swarm of people out there for that price

Sun Sep 04, 2022 6:34 am

Seems to have some CaveVan (Cole) upgrades.

Sun Sep 04, 2022 6:44 am

One of the photos in the ad is definitely not from that van. (E.g. it clearly doesn't have laminate floors).

Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:16 am

Well when you buy with your heart u often get beat. I paid $3000 for a running opening 93 weekender. It has been a nightmare. & I'm a Vw mechanic w over 50 years of experience on air cooled vans n others. These are very complicated and hi tec vans. Also how is the body underneath and on top? Why is he selling it? At 100k miles the transmission is soon due for a overhall. Big $$ on everything. How much time & $ do u want to spend.. Remember this is a 20 year old van.too old & too new.but it may be something minor..Good luck but be prepared for a long and frustrating time How much experience do you have w repair of. Cars?? I'd personally buy one running and driving but even then u never know like I said before GOOD LUCK BILL IN VT

Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:57 am

Hi everyone. Thanks for all of your advice. I did end up passing on this EV. It seemed like too much work and too many logistical hoops to try to make it happen. I'm in the market, though, so if anyone sees a good running and driving EV, please feel free to let me know. Will travel!