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heavymetaqueen
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2020
Posts: 67
Location: Illinois
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 Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:30 am Post subject: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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Starting a new thread so the other one doesn't get too too clogged up for anyone that might need the advice already posted. I've decided to cut my losses and sally up to sell my van. Sad day for me. Really grateful for this forum, the Bentley manual, and the van itself for I now know way more about cars than I probably would have had I purchased a perfectly running vehicle.
I'm gearing up to sell and would now like some advice on pricing. I paid $5600 for the van, when there were no coolant leaks (or at least it was microscopic) or head gasket problems.
What I've put in to the van:
Rebuilt transmission $3774
Replaced water pump/alternator belt, power steering belt, AC belt $210
Brake fluid flush $110
Rear brakes service $70
New tires/ wheel bearings about $900
Changed the spark plugs myself, and added ATP stop leak which did stop the power steering leak
Per the most recent inspection, the leaking head gasket is the only repair the van needs (right now) and they quoted me $1800. Skills said the most I could sell the van for is $1k and I don't want to sucker anyone into a dud car, but I would rather have the work done than sell it for that amount:/
The van is in pretty good cosmetic condition. There's no radio and I ripped the front carpet out because it was moldy, but there's no body rust from what I can see or dents/scratches
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1989 Automatic Tintop Vanagon 2.1L |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24489
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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Its almost the nice weather where we can talk you through the head reseal yourself? Have you considered that path?
Be careful getting that job done for resale though. Warranty work does not transfer so the new owner will rely on the craftmanship of the head work alone and might not want to pay for that.
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πΊπΈ πΊπΈ πΊπΈ πΊπΈ πΊπΈ πΊπΈ πΊπΈ π π π |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Squidfish
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2004
Posts: 336
Location: 95519
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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*Maybe* $6500, GLWTS. 
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1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004)
Last edited by Squidfish on Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17983
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| heavymetaqueen wrote: |
| Skills said the most I could sell the van for is $1k and I don't want to sucker anyone into a dud car |
i said you may get lucky to get that. at least seeing all of the issues you've posted here that's what i would offer. i may bump it to 2k....but that's me...
if you have proof of the work done you may be able to get a bit more. honestly i'd throw it up for 3800 and take the first 3k that came my way.
you have to realize most vanagon people are going to go into this the same way... "well, it needs a,b and c and that will cost me xxxx.xx"
funny thing about vanagon buyers is 95% of them don't want a project. they'd rather get into something and drive it and spend money on all the gingerbread crap they can bolt on. the other 5% are hard core and if the van has REALLY good bones they will take on a project. just an observation...
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3681
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Its almost the nice weather where we can talk you through the head reseal yourself? Have you considered that path?
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No, please NO! A head gasket job is not for a newbie that was just paying for spark plug install. Really, I know you mean well, but selling a van with leak it one thing, a van with a head removed and an incomplete repair is a while βnother thing.
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4431
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:05 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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I totally understand, I go through the "eff this van I am not even selling it I am dragging it into a field and putting holes through it" stage more often than I'd like.
I keep my hope alive by thinking that whatever this "next fix" is, that's gonna be the one where everything is good afterwards.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17983
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:09 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
If the engine still runs, put stop leak in the coolant, fill it with coolant, see what happens. Make sure you go over all the cooling hose clamps and see if you can tighten any with a screwdriver.
You've got nothing to lose at this point. |
did you see her post? she'd need 3 bags of concrete to stop the leak
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9587978#9587978
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4431
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:11 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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You guys are faster than me! I edited my post after I saw that one.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
I totally understand, I go through the "eff this van I am not even selling it I am dragging it into a field and putting holes through it" stage more often than I'd like.
I keep my hope alive by thinking that whatever this "next fix" is, that's gonna be the one where everything is good afterwards. |
Eternal Optimist  |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12177
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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Just find a good running 'take out' from someone doing an engine conversion. Then you can play with the old engine on your own time. You're truly at the damned if you do/don't bifurcation. Get out your Magic 8 Ball and see what it says. You're going to take a financial bath no matter which direction you go, but if you sell you won't get all the wonderful utility of a tintop and the sense of pride that you made it all happen--grit
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH
'01 Weekender --> full camper
NEAT, no ICE. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6933
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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The power steering stop leak is not a magic formula that works right away. It takes a while for the chemical to work. It might just do some good yet!
Good luck in your journey.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2956
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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Yeah, provided you have access to another vehicle, I'd be trying to call Autoventures and seeing if they have a good core you could go get and then have your local shop put in. Only (relatively) slightly more expensive.
Honestly, taking one engine out and putting another in is more beginner friendly than swapping heads (my opinion) if you were going to try and do something yourself.
https://autoventuresllc.net/
Suggesting them because they're the nearest "big" engine swap operation near you that I am aware of.
EDIT: Or, just turn the page and move on. Lord knows I've had to do that in my life and turns out, things usually do work out if you keep moving forward. Who knew?
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2709
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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After getting so far with it, I'd recommend getting a replacement known running engine and then keeping it as per your original plan, rather than selling it.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
Yeah, provided you have access to another vehicle, I'd be trying to call Autoventures and seeing if they have a good core you could go get and then have your local shop put in. Only (relatively) slightly more expensive.
Honestly, taking one engine out and putting another in is more beginner friendly than swapping heads (my opinion) if you were going to try and do something yourself.
https://autoventuresllc.net/
Suggesting them because they're the nearest "big" engine swap operation near you that I am aware of.
EDIT: Or, just turn the page and move on. Lord knows I've had to do that in my life and turns out, things usually do work out if you keep moving forward. Who knew? |
This 90 tintop I have now was the first engine I ever did using a home made hoist.
It was hands down the easiest engine install I ever did! And that includes my 1955 Beetle! Lots of pipes, wires and hoses to hook up but even then......
You can easily remove and install an engine all by yourself.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6933
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Goodbye Vanagon! (selling price) |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
The power steering stop leak is not a magic formula that works right away. It takes a while for the chemical to work. It might just do some good yet!
Good luck in your journey. |
Just saw the gusher.. bummer. I've had enough sorrow this week, didn't need to see that!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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