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How much should I pay?
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Joined: June 14, 2002
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Location: Palominas AZ
solexes@hotmail.com is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2002 1:45 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

Hey Folks

I have currently a 63 beetle - and am looking to expand my VW collection into the realm of the busses. I've been looking for a Westfalia - and I found one parked about a 1/4 mile from where I live. It looks like it's been sitting for 15 years. It's a pop top. Looked in the windows - needs to be cleaned out of junk - but has the fridge, stove, and interior. Dunno if it runs or what. Last registered in 89. Dont think it's for sale - but - I am thinking of asking the owner if he wants to sell. What should I offer him? Whats fair? No major rust - some surface rust (thats what Krylon is for - it's white). Looks to be Mid to late 70's.

Thanks!
Ryan
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static
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Joined: March 22, 2002
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2002 5:53 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

Can you put the bus up closer to the monitor so that we can see it? Without an idea of the year, we will be answering without enough information. However, that's never stopped any of us before, so let me try:

1. Assuming that it has a clear title (and that really needs to be checked before money changes hands)

2. Assuming that the body rot is not too bad
(look under the floormat where your feet would be if you were driving, as well as where the battery is and where the bottom of the windshield ends)

3. Assuming that the engine is not frozen or worse (turn the generator pulley with your hands when the beast is in neutral, alternator if it is newer)

4. Assuming that it is a desirable model (not a 1700 or an automatic or (shudder) a water boxer)

5. Assuming that you have the place to leave it after you get it home and between $0 and $3000 to sink into it,

...it is worth whatever you will pay for it.
The current owner might just let you have it for a bottle of wine, but I wouldn't personally pay more than $500 for a bus with unknown problems, even if the owner tells you why it was parked for the last time ("it's only brakes" etc.)

My experience is that these projects take three times the money and four times the time as one originally plans on spending.
One must have a sympathetic significant other, preferably one with headphones, since they will get tired of listening to you talk about it after a short while.

(Someone will, no doubt, come along shortly to tell me that I and my opinions are full of shit, as my girlfriend does on a regular basis)
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chabanais
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2002 4:50 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

Once you know the state of the engine and transmission then you'll have an idea. Until then, who knows?
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2002 4:53 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

More Info - stoped and looked - no talking to the owner yet.

It looks like a later 70's model (high placed turn signals - has poptop, sink, fridge, stove).

Condition as I observed.
Last registered in AZ in 1992
Color - Tan - no rust minus some surface (light) around windows)
Since it's here in AZ - no rust on floor (checked from outside underneath) - nice dry condition.
Has a stick tranny (no auto)
Engine - unknown - bay was locked)
Full of boxes and junk - but looked complete - just diry inside.
Dash - good.
Cracked Windshield
Tires - have air - but dry rotted
NO body damage - str8 as an arrow.

So - thats What I see.

I think I agree. I'll ask if he wants to part - see what he thinks it is worth - if he's higher than 500 - I'll offer 500.

*shrug* - Will see.

Ryan
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bljones
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2002 5:41 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

Assume the worst. This beast was parked for a reason, and if the body is good, chances are the reason it is parked is because the drivetrain is toast. Late busses are fuel injected, with hydraulic lifters, making them more expensive to repair than earlier busses or beetles, so prepare to be shocked when you start figuring out what an engine overhaul is gonna cost. if you can pick it up for less than $1000, then it is worth it. let us know how it turns out.
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[email protected]
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2002 5:45 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

Ok - here is some more information.

Talked to owners son (late 20's guy). They bought it new sometime before 1980. It dosent have very many miles on it. It was used ONLY as a camper - and therefore didnt get out much. It was last registered in 1992. It has a FI engine, and the small little tag on the engine lid says 120 CID (shrug) for the class. Vin # is 2382053***. Since tag says it conforms to emissions of 1978 and later - I'm guessing it's either a 78 or 79.

Son says dad used to start it every day - then got sick of that - and pulled the battery cables off sometime back (2 years ago).

Engine looks GOOD. Clean, new dist cap, wires nice and clean, compartment no oil - no oil coating on engine/tin. Had some tags on it for inspections by a local repair shop (last in 1990). Oil on dipstick looked clean and full (just right on the level).

Has - sink, poptop, stove, refridge?, bucket seats (after market).


Now - asuming I could get this thing to run well - are the FI reliable? Or - is this not worth it?

Will find out more tomorrow.

Ryan
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static
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2002 10:45 pm    Post subject: How much should I pay? Reply with quote

From what you have told us, this sounds like a good bus. The last of the Baywindows were very nice and had many advantages.

Hydraulic valves and fuel injection are good things, in general.

Keep us posted.

<static>
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