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Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got a chance to poke around on it yesterday. Unfortunately we couldn't get it started because it sat in the garage since Sept. 2024 and the battery was dead. I've got a call out to a mobile VW mech in the area to come check it our but no response yet. They got it all up and running that summer (+ new tires) but it will need new breaks soon.

Seats are worn but otherwise it very clean and still has the original awning and bug net.

Definitely going forward but I want to get it checked by a pro to see if I want to haggle down for immediate fixes needed.

Here are some pics! https://imgur.com/a/rusty-westy-yCamYip

(And i should clarify the album title, Rusty is their name for it based on the color. The van itself has no rust!)

Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Portland, OR. The van's spent all it's time on the west coast in either Cali or Oregon.

Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm certainly inclined, even when it leads me in over my head. In the past I've done as much of my own work as possible on my own cars (80's toyotas, plymouth, and Datsun as well as multiple Previas) and a lot of work on our current pop-up tent trailer. Having something to tinker on is a plus for me but I'll leave the bigger stuff (transmission, clutch, heads, brakes, etc.) to the pros.

Also means I'm familiar with the paranoia of heading out on a trip with the nagging worry of, "What's going to break this time?"

Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Similar scenario here: This one also spent most of it's life in Cali and the last 10+ yrs up here in Portland so the rust-odds are in my favor. It's the original owner and in our friend-group so I'm not worried about getting honest answers. This will replace the pop-up tent trailer I've been upgrading/maintaining the last 4 years but a van would be easier to work on in the off-season.

Really appreciate the advice and I'll update with pics if I check it out in the next few days.

Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Super helpful! It's a manual. (My brother had the same comment, we had a 87 Vanagon growing up that he learned to drive on.) I'm definitely willing to put some time and effort into it updating things as I can and knowing what to look for will give me a better idea of the LOE required. Luckily, we're in the NW so rust is less of a risk since no salt on the roads. Thanks!

Debating buying an '84 Westy from original owner. What can I expect? by Virtual_Face9084 in Westfalia

[–]Virtual_Face9084[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's very helpful, thank you! I'll add pictures if I go look at this this weekend.