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Fritz
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2009
Posts: 68
Location: The Big Mitten
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 Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: Moving to Seattle area- Should I take the project Westy? |
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Moving in January to the Pacific Northwest. Have an 85 Westy Camper that is tore apart right now. As you all can relate it needs lots of work. The company I will be working for will pay to transport it from Michigan.
I'm a renter so will not have a garage. Not rich so have to do the work myself (my preferred method anyways).
So the million dollar question is should I take the project with me or let it go? Been toying with the idea of replacing it with an Astro AWD and camperizing it.
Anyone up that way have a good suggestion on where I might find a cheap workshop to rent so I can make the dream a reality? (yea I know- I have strange dreams  )
Opinions appreciated 
Thanks |
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markz2004
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2007
Posts: 947
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Take it. At a minimum it probably is worth more in the seattle market than in MI (unless it's totally rusted, etc.).
_________________
87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels |
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crowinghen
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2010
Posts: 423
Location: near Seattle,wa
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Take it- it's vanagon friendly here-- you will probably be able to find somewhere to work on it.
Are you moving into Seattle or a suburb? I'm near Auburn,WA.
Susie
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1984 Westfalia a work in progress " Butters" |
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VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:50 am Post subject: |
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An Astro Van? My Man!!! you must re-think that one for sure!
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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
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foodeater
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posts: 1318
Location: Newburgh, NY
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:13 am Post subject: |
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Just find a garage for rent in Seattle, look on craigslist. When I lived in Baltimore I used to rent a garage, it was only $100 a month (but that was like 5 years ago, and in Baltimore where rent is cheap).
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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kirsplat
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2008
Posts: 412
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Bring it to Seattle.
The Vanagon community here is great and I'm sure you can find a place to work on it.
If it doesn't look like an abandoned vehicle and the tabs are current you might be able to park it on the street while you get settled.
I suggest joining the Wet Westies group as well as the Vanagon Mailing List if you're not a member already. There are great folks willing to provide help and advice here in the NW.
www.wetwesties.org
www.gerry.vanagon.com
Whatever you do, please don't buy an Astro van, please.
Chris
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86 Syncro|EJ253|Carat |
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turbotransporter
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006
Posts: 459
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Definitly bring it!
Seattle and the PNW in general has a huge Vanagon community that can provide fellowship, tech support, clean used parts, etc, etc.
Got a project that requires a third or forth hand? A case of local micro-brew will easily attract more help, spares and tools than I imagine the entire state of MI has to offer (no offence intended).
If that's not enough, we also have Daryl and his son Matt in our corner, Chris at T3 Technique, Dan at Louis Foreign Auto, George at Por Bug, Jerry at Northwest Connecting Rod, Kirk at NorthWesty, The TEC Shop, Chris at Fine Tuning, Wolfsburg Motorwerks, Campbell/Nelson VW, Absolute German Autowrecking (ask for Jamal), and so many more solid VW repair shops.
Also, now is the time to start practicing driving with one hand cuz there'll be a whole lot of waving at other Vanagons to do. (Don't skip the Buses but you can ignore the EV's
Let the Ass-throw van rust in peace in MI.  |
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OwnYourReality
Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2004
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:39 am Post subject: |
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Fritz I'm jealous! Take it with you man. That last post from turbotransporter should have sealed it for you. Michigan here too & I'm thinking the PNW is a good place to be with a Vanagon. Good luck in your new place & have fun with all that help & support out there. Merry Christmas!  |
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PNWesty
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2010
Posts: 138
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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Don't leave home without it!
In my 9 mile commute I pass at least 4 vans parked or driving, 5 if my coworker has driven his Westy in. As noted above, parts alone are worth the free transit passage out west. But once you see the community here, i'm sure you'll regret not having it as a project. |
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Vango Conversions
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010
Posts: 1054
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Welcome to the NW! Where will you be living? you should be able to find a garage to rent for a reasonable rate, plus paying rent will motivate you to finish working on it. |
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Fritz
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2009
Posts: 68
Location: The Big Mitten
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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Don't know specifically where I will be living yet. Will be working in Everett with possible temporary reassignments to Seattle so looking for somewhere in between.
The van has current tags but is not drivable. I have no desire to try and work on it outside and have been checking out Craigslist for possible shop/garage type rentals.
From lurking on The Samba for the past year and a half I thought there was a strong Vanagon community and resources up that way and when I was up for my interview I noticed several Vanagons on the roads and parked.
Thanks for all the input. Guess I gotta start thinking about what needs to be done so it can ship. |
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turbotransporter
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006
Posts: 459
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Vango Conversions wrote: |
| Welcome to the NW! Where will you be living? you should be able to find a garage to rent for a reasonable rate, plus paying rent will motivate you to finish working on it. |
Fritz... I know a guy who'd love to help narrow down your conversion choices!  |
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noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Street parking limit in Seattle is 72 hours. Strictly enforced in some areas of the city. |
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DAIZEE
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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If it's not rusty take it. Even renting you must have some place to stash it until you can get it all lined up.
_________________
'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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buildyourown
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009
Posts: 1668
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| noganav wrote: |
| Street parking limit in Seattle is 72 hours. Strictly enforced in some areas of the city. |
Only if your neighbors call it in.
I left my truck parked on the street for weeks at a time while I rode my bike to work and never had an issue.
Remember, they tag it before they tow it so you'll always have a chance to move it.
ANd yes, it's very van friendly here. Lot's of garages to rent to. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52304
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| No way I would want to deal with a Michigan parts bucket if I were living in the PNW. There are better vans being hauled off to wrecking yards in Washington and Oregon than exist in Michigan. |
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GardenSurfer
Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2010
Posts: 7
Location: SEA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the PNW.
You also might want to check out the VW Westfalia Meetup Group @ http://www.meetup.com/Volkswagen-Westfalia-Meetup-Group/
As stated by others, lots of vanagons in Seattle. It seems like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. |
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noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 1:45 am Post subject: |
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| buildyourown wrote: |
| noganav wrote: |
| Street parking limit in Seattle is 72 hours. Strictly enforced in some areas of the city. |
Only if your neighbors call it in.
I left my truck parked on the street for weeks at a time while I rode my bike to work and never had an issue.
Remember, they tag it before they tow it so you'll always have a chance to move it.
ANd yes, it's very van friendly here. Lot's of garages to rent to. |
A non-running project van wouldn't last a week on the street in the city. I've been warned on several occasions, and my Van doesn't look like a parts bucket. Probably would be fine in the burbs, but he could get a place with a driveway or garage out there too.
Great Vanagon community here though, and some good reliable shops as well. Welcome! |
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DAIZEE
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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| Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 8:48 am Post subject: |
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It really does depend on what you have, what you've done, and do you want to continue the work you've already started. But if its got rust well what would be the point? Paramount is that your employer is prepared to cover the costs of transfer!
_________________
'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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a914622
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 919
Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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| Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: |
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The Everett area has lots of rentals with garages. I would bring it.
Get on Hwy 2 , go west, when the road ends your in Everett..
jcl
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87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru |
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