What to pay for 1984 Westy

[Alan Brase]

I was recently contacted by an acquantance who wanted me to give him an offer to buy his 84 Westy. This guy is 90 years old and this is his 4th VW type 2. (I have his old 23 window, which he owned from 1960-1982.)
This 84 is in okay , but rather worn condition. He hasn't gone camping in it since he lost his wife a few years ago. The camping bits are very good. The brakes don't work, probably needs master cylinder. It is a full westy and has the extra 2 person seat. (Is that a Westy bit or just a 7 pass Vanagon part?) Needs a new poptop seal. But, the big problem is rust. No actual perforation, but the whole passenger side has terrible surface rust. I'm sure it is only a few years away from having a bunch of holes in the side.
I'd kind like to have this, but if I get it, i'll have to deal with the rust VERY SOON..
The car has 150k miles on it, it's a 4 speed, and the engine works okay.
What should I offer? Keep in mind that I am in IOWA!
(He's a pretty cagey old guy, I can't just steal it from him. Nor would I.)
Al
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Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[Wellington]

Ceter 2 person seat is a vanagon thing, not from a westy, can't open the fridge door.
Rust is the enemy, you see about 20%, get into it and it is so much worse.
Your description doesn't sound encouraging, and not being driven for a while I bet the tires are old and cracked too. And then you will find a doxen other things once you get into it. 500$ if it was me.

[ckissick]

I bought a 1983 Westy with a new engine and minor surface rust, here near expensive San Francisco, for $2000. Worse rust, old engine, Iowa; yeah, $500 sounds about right.

[klucz]

Rust is evil. In the midwest you might find a clean 1.9 camper for $3500, but they all have those little scratches and old window seals that will join forces and rot everything eventually. Its just the dampness of the midwest, even if a car sits in a garage (unless its heated or very well taken care) its doomed.

Reminds me of buying my 84 from the original owner, his wife had died recently and wouldn't let him sell it while she was alive. As I was getting ready to drive it away, the old man opened up the garage revealing an 80's 911 (SC or Carrera maybe). Along with his son and grandson, they were all smiles putting the plates on the 911.
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84 Westy 4spd sold

[r39o]

[buspor63]

In '84, I think the wolfsburg westys(light brown over brown) came with the double seat. Its too hard for most people to add the seat tracks etc just for a middle seat. In addition to that, the WW double seat has a tilting backrest on the outer seat. It also will have the tach without the red and green zone.
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Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?

[kevin11]

the extra seat came withmy 84 westy,wolfsburg. I keep it stored in the garage during camping season,plus I don't use it anyways. But it will go withthe camper when i sell it...soon.Got too many cars now and need the room.