Deal or no deal? Update: Bought it!

[bnzelener]

Hi Westy folks! I hope this is the right place to post this. Please correct me if not.

I've recently become obsessed with Westfalias. I'm 28, I live in Colorado, and I want to get out in the summers and camp at trailheads. I also think it would be amazing to take my time driving up the west coast in a Full Camper.

I've been hunting on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for the past week to see what Full Campers go for. Initially it looked like I'd be spending at least $10K to get anything in running condition.

Then this popped up: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/631295724273375/

It's a 1987 Westfalia manual transmission Full Camper for $6,500. It has the original engine, which was rebuilt at some point. The odometer has 125K miles on it, and the seller says that the odometer was broken when she was given the van by a family member and believes she's put on 5-10K in her ownership.

I took a test drive in the van yesterday. Here is an album of pictures and a video I took. Cosmetically she's in rough shape and everything is grimy, but she started up just fine and seemed to drive with plenty of gumption. Here are some things I noticed:

- There are some signs of rust in the seams as I've heard to look for, though not as much as I expected considering the overall condition.
- Kitchen hasn't been used in her ownership. Fridge door won't stay closed. Unknown condition of propane/water tanks.
- Power windows are non functional. She cautioned me that putting them down might mean they stay down.
- Door interior panels are in sad shape. Wiring hanging out, material is warped.
- Canvas in pop-top is rotting and ripped.
- Paint is stripping on the kitchen control panel.
- Cushions are in OK condition, but definitely need cleaning. Driver seat is ripped.
- Hatchback won't stay open.
- Stereo does not work
- Speedometer is broken. She shoved a shoe into the dash to quiet the clicking sound it produced.
- Sliding door handle is in the van, but not on the door. She left it this way because she can just open it from the inside.
- A smell of oil was hard to ignore as we were driving.

Luckily I live in Fort Collins, home of Rocky Mountain Westy. They are going to do an inspection of the Westfalia this week and give me their report on its condition.

My question is: is this a great deal?

I'm willing and excited to do some cleaning/repair and put some money into a Westfalia that is a great deal at the start. However, if this is just an appropriately-priced-for-its-condition Westfalia, maybe it would make more sense to buy something in better shape for $10K and start from there.

Thanks so much for your insight!

[dlb154]

It looks and sounds pretty rough. For a first Westfalia purchase, you'll need to have money or DIY time. The price looks fair and would allow you to invest in these repairs.
If the appearance doesn't bother you and the chassis isn't rusted out... and it handles decently while driving (correct load rated tires will improve handling), negotiate on the price.
Most people would not want to start with something so rough. That helps your chances for negotiating a lower price.
How does it shift? Any odd sounds from the transmission? Does it require an emissions test where you live?
It's a project - but that can be the fun part too.

[Ride-Fly]

Seems like an Ok deal. Have you seen the Westy in Longmont that is in the Samba classifieds? If I was hunting for another Westy, I’d seriously consider this. Honestly, before I opted for another direction, this was the one I wanted to get, but the seller didn’t seem very interested in selling. I.e, wouldn’t respond to my emails and texts. But it seems they are more eager to sell since they just updated the ad today.

[bnzelener]

[elizer]

My vote is no. The seam rust behind the stove is nogo. You are going to have to replace some metal. I think you will be better off starting off with something in better condition.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Automagic is more robust on these 2WD vans than the manuals, so I would seek those out. They also drive very nice
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[bobhill8]

As someone who jumped in with little experience a few years ago, my only advice is to focus on the important stuff - engine, transmission and rust.

[Wildthings]

Remember that this is a 33 year old vehicle and with most 33 year old vehicles you are lucky to get someone to haul it off for free.

On the good side most of the dents appear to be in the sliding door, which means they can be fixed by just finding and installing a straight door and doing a bit of paint work. Assuming this van actually has around 160-200K miles on it, the engine may well be ready to let go. That is about all they get before a rod decides to aerate the block.

[Eric_Taylor]

It's a tough call because it's a running and driving late model van for under 10k, and in general those are hard to come by, even if they are rough.

It's the body work that really is hard for me to get over and would push me away.No rust or damage? DONE DEAL. The mechanical stuff and the clean up can be fun, especially if this thing was a driver.

If the body work were good, you'd have a long way to go until you hit market value for a nice one and could do a Subaru swap or similar, pick all your choices on camping upgrades, etc. etc. In many ways, that's how I would start if doing it over. The body work though? Man that's gonna be a deal breaker for me. I would hate looking at it all the time and fixing it right is holy shit watch out expensive! I guess it would depend on your tolerance for the body work.

Personally I'd offer $4k for it and see what happens. If you get it for that, screw it, just enjoy it. If you can't then maybe it was not meant to be.

[Yellow Rabbit]

Considering one of the world’s largest parts suppliers for these old things is in your hometown, you might try calling Van Cafe. Maybe they know of a local van for sale. At the very least they might be a good source to pay for a pre-purchase inspection.

I agree, the Longmont van appears to be much nicer than the first one.

[nineteensixtyfiveVG]

did you get any pics of the underside or floors? could be a decent deal if its really solid underneath

[bnzelener]

[bnzelener]

[bnzelener]

[bnzelener]

[bnzelener]

[16CVs]

I would not consider it a great deal ! But not the worst I have seen. Depending on what the PPI shows up with the running gear.
What bothers me is the deferred maintenance, when I see thing like the Speedo not being fixed my mind wanders to what else is just left to the point that the only thing getting fixed is what stops it from rolling. Using that stick to hold up the gate is a bad idea, One day you will or someone else will try and cut its there and pull on the deck and bend the lid or rip the hinges out of the body.
That van will need 3K -5K thrown at it in short order. The windows are easily fixable. Take them out and send them to me in a box and I can make them better then new. It needs a tent and the drivers side seat rebuilt as well as the Speedo and dash lights.
I'd also bet that the brakes have never had the fluid changed, as well as the gas lines. I would also not be surprised if the steering rack did'nt leak.
If you were going to take it any distance I would advise new SS coolant pipes and all plastic in the cooling system replaced.
Just remember that what you pay for the van is just the cost of admission. The nice thing about buying a ratty van is that once fixed you know what you have.
If the engine is sound, I'd offer her $5K and be prepared to walk away.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Sodo]

[Yellow Rabbit]

Another idea is placing a want to buy ad on Craigslist. I did that and ended up with an inexpensive 60k mile Westy. Sometimes these things just work out.

If you want to get a good idea how well these things perform on the road, you may consider test driving one up to Horsetooth. That will give you an idea for your patience level and how well the cooling system works.

[bnzelener]