About to trade for an '86 vanagon

supertrainguy · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 6:45 am Post subject: About to trade for an '86 vanagon

Hi, I'm wanting your opinion on trading my '71 Ghia that still needs alot of work for an '86 Vanagon.

It has the 2.1l FI water cooled engine.
automatic transmission.

It also has a/c but the compressor is froze up and not hooked up at the moment.

It doesn't run very good right now, I don't know if it's because it's almost out of gas or not. Gas needle barely moves at all...

The guy that has it says, It has had a complete tune up. Everything but the fuel filter that is. It ran fine day before yesterday, but yesterday it would spin, but not start.

Here's the pics of it.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
My cars:
2017 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
hobby car: Laser 917 kit car

djkeev · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 6:56 am Post subject:

More importantly what do you think about this Van?

Was the tune up a failed attempt to make it run? It could be a great deal if you've got skills and time.

Truth is, none of us can see this unit though there may be a local member who could pop by and take a look.
It looks good in the photos though.

Look in the FAQ and Sticky section at the top of the page, there is a LOT of information including A prepurchase check list.

These units are historically fairly expensive to rehab and get on the road.

Look for rust, it's all well documented in these pages.

Go into this with your eyes wide open and be prepared to spend twice, if not more, of its purchase price to set it right.

They are a fun hobby and a fun ride.... But they are antiques ......
Once you pay the entry fee, you become an addict..... As one member has as his byline...... "What the Westy wants..... The Westy gets"

A mistress might be cheaper? Wink

A better investment would be the 1.9 white camper (Looks like a Full camper? Driver seat rotated 90*) next to it.........
(Easier to sell, more desireable, higher value should you decide this unit isn't for you)

Dave
_________________
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

zak99B5 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:01 am Post subject:

Personally I'd see if he'd go for the bay Westy.

The auto tranny in my eyes is a big detractor, but that may be fine with you.

djkeev · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:07 am Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:32 am Post subject:

Knowing nothing about Ghias I can't comment on the equitability of the trade - but a lot depends on why you want a vanagon and what condition this one is in. If that is the original paint then you should be able to easily assess the presence or absence of rust in the usual places. Rust would be a game-breaker in my opinion -- mechanical issues OTOH are much cheaper and easier to deal with for most people.

zak99B5 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:34 am Post subject:

I did learn of the 3-4 slider issue in manual trannies--that's one big reason I bought a '91 that came with the redesigned part from the factory rather than a failure waiting to happen.

Back OT, what do you want out of the Ghia you have, and what do you expect out of the Vanagon you are thinking of trading for?

Transportation? Restoration project?

And pics of the Ghia in question may also help.

But right now it seems you are trading one non-running car for one that barely does.

djkeev · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:02 am Post subject:

From his Gallery......
1971 two weeks ago........

_________________
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

hdenter · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:18 am Post subject:

IMHO, if you put a Ghia next to a poptop van in equal unrestored condition, the Ghia is worth twice the money. Next to a tintop, 3x.

I sold my '69 Ghia for $3500 in need of a complete pan off resto. It was rusty, didn't run and needed brakes/suspension. For half that I got an'85 weekender that was fairly solid mechanically but in need of rust repair. I traded my '74 doner Ghia with rust and a ton of bondo on it and no title for a stripped '82 diesel van chassis with a clean title and no rust except for a large dent in the side. Those in CA can understand the value of a diesel chassis in good condition with a clean, current title and registration. I'm building my Ultimate Franken Westy Weekender on that chassis.

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

Steve M. · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 1:57 pm Post subject:

So subjective to personal choice.
Do they use salt on the roads in Tn? Rust on the body kills me, but it is a fact of life.
Pull up the rubber foot pads in the lower door recess by your feet for one.
Check the window rubber seals for bubbling of paint because that's a problem.
Check the seams between the lower body panels areas.

Concerning the no gas, obviously put some in to find out if it will start.
Check every single electrical switch to see if every thing works.
When you test drive it make sure the odometer is showing it's changing numbers.
Pull up carpeting near the sliding door to see how it looks under it.
Look for any signs of repainted areas and why it might be repainted.
With the square headlights-don't just look at them - push them to see if the adjusters aren't broken cause they're hard to get.

It has AC, but how are the plastic covers and ductwork that covers the AC. They can take a beating and be cracked or damaged to where you have to replace them.

The pictures look okay, but not taken in bright sunlight so no one can see any detail.
Don't know squat about Ghias...it's all on you ultimately.
What is your timeline to make a decision on this?
Take good pictures of all the panel seams and body. I mean really photograph every thing so you can look at it later and not in the quick decision moments of seeing for the first time "buy or die" moments-guaranteed your going to notice things you missed when you look at them later.

70coupyel · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:50 pm Post subject:

If you are looking to flip the Vanagon these are expensive to keep going for a VW. That tin top is at the bottom of the price range of Vanagons. It does look complete.

As a owner of a 70 Ghia and looking at you Ghia thread your ghia might be worth more if the body work is rust free and proper. Very hard to judge from pictures. A DIY windows out paint job will add value to some and others it will not. What would you try and sell your Ghia for?
_________________

supertrainguy · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 6:56 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice.

I'll check all of the points of interest that you all pointed out like rust spots, etc.

I do have another question. If I put gas in it and it does not start or run right, what would be the first common thing to check?
_________________
My cars:
2017 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
hobby car: Laser 917 kit car

morymob · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:21 am Post subject:

The advice given above in the 'sticky' sect, read up.

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:37 am Post subject:

dhaavers · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:41 am Post subject:

Before adding gas, disconnect the tank line & drain any old stuff (water, rust, varnish contamination) out of there...
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

vanagonjr · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:05 am Post subject:

Note this sticky has a lot of information relative to all aspects of Vanagons http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

In there scrolling down you come to more and more sub-sections with links to threads such as

■Ignition system
Problems:
No start, no headlights, no blower fan, & no wipers: Ignition switch and/or X-relay
No start, but power to accessories & fuel pump: Ignition switch, bad ground connections, faulty starter and/or connections, and/or park-neutral switch (A/T only)
Starter engages, but after a slight delay: Most likely faulty ignition switch
Cranks, but no start: no spark v.1
Cranks, but no start: no spark v.2
Cranks, but no start: no spark v.3
Cranks, but no start: spark
Cranks, but no start: Air-cooled
No crank, no start
Slow crank & no hot start
Intermittent no start
Starts then dies
Hot start: what is it?
Hot Start problem: 1985 1.9 Vanagon
91 Westy: intermittent high idle/hot start problems....
Hard start in hot weather
"Hot start" problem with a twist
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1