VW Eurovan longevity question

[Sherri]

I'm considering the purchase of a 1995 Euro which seems to be in nice shape mechanically and cosmetically, but with 210,000 miles already on her, I'm wondering how long I can realistically expect this relationship to last.

 

Do these things just run forever? I'd like to take her out on weekends, show her around all my favorite climbing places, spend quality time together, but I don't want to get my heart broke if she's not going to be there for me in the long run.

 

Her seller(private party) is asking $14,000. Seems pricey, but maybe she's worth it?

 

 

[olyclimber]

Damn, seems pretty spendy for a Euro with so many miles. I would advise looking around a bit first.

 

Here is a camper with half the mileage:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=221288549&dealer_id=55051645&car_year=1993&model=EUROVAN&num_records=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=25&make=VOLKS&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98116&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=15000&cardist=20

[rob]

that's a V6, right? wow, $14,000 seems like an awful lot for the year and milage! That's a spicy meatball, be careful

 

You should get a mechanic to take a look and give you an opinion, or at least get a compression check on the engine before spending that kind of cash on a car with >200,000 miles on a gasoline engine.

Edited May 7, 2007 by robmcdan

[Sherri]

Thanks for the link Oly. My search hadn't turned up anything. I'll check that out.

 

Yeah, the price for that mileage raised a red flag for me, too, but I thought it might be based either on a supply/demand thing(not many of those come up for sale 'round these parts) or on the assumption that these things keep going and going(like old Toyota's or Honda's).

 

Looks like the relationship may be more short-lived than I had hoped.

[ZimZam]

Here is another site:

 

www.thesamba.com.

 

don't do it. for that kind of money you can get a sychro westy w/ fewer miles. Do they run forever? Pretty much.

[olyclimber]

Sweet site ZimZam:

 

bitchen but sold!:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=434880

 

check out the gun mount

[Recycled]

Be very cautious. I've run a lot of VWs into the ground and unfortunately have too much experience with keeping them going with high mileage. VW's are great for the first 8-10 years, then things start falling apart fast. If you have a parts car and do the work yourself, old VWs are a great option. If not, the costs of a competent mechanic will quickly bleed you dry at $70/hour.

 

Note: this is general VW advice - not specific to Eurovans. I've had 4 diesel Rabbits, a '98 TDI Jetta (sold) and currently have 2 '04 TDI Jettas. The Rabbits I took up to 300-350,000 miles. They took continual maintenance and required a couple parts cars. The '98 Jetta started falling apart at 180,000 miles and I dumped it.

[crazy_t]

a buddy of mine got a screaming deal on one (Eurovan) this spring, $16,500 for one not as old, with 30k miles and in great shape. I would keep looking, but agreed, they are sweet rigs.

Edited May 7, 2007 by crazy_t

[ZimZam]

Don't see them here much. Mostly in the land of radioactive coins and the EU.

[glassgowkiss]

any car with 210k is a piece of junk not worth much. in general they are rather spendy to fix.

[Sherri]

a buddy of mine got a screaming deal on one (Eurovan) this spring, $16,500 for one not as old, with 30k miles and in great shape. I would keep looking, but agreed, they are sweet rigs.

 

Sounds like your buddy scored.

 

Yes, it seems like a good idea to keep looking, that there's still deals to be had. Too bad that Synchro on ZimZam's link is already sold. That would have been rad, except where's the kitchenette and curtains?

 

 

[ZimZam]

that was a DoKa, not a Westy.

 

start here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=55

 

90 mo' days.

Edited May 7, 2007 by ZimZam

[rob]

I've got a 74 bus with lower miles than that euro. I'll give it to you for 10.

[Sherri]

Does it have curtains?

[tvashtarkatena]

Mistake # 1: Anthropomorphizing your vehicles. 'She's'got WAY too many miles on 'her'. There are vehicles that survive past 210K miles...about 0.1% of them. For $14 fucking thousand bucks? OMG, walk away.

 

For under $10K you can get an Outback in excellent condition with 50K miles on it (I just did).

 

Also, you might think about your purchase when gas hits $5 a gallon; a day not very far off. It's very likely to hit $4 this summer.

[rob]

nope, but it has vacuum leaks in the carbs -- no extra charge!

[olyclimber]

I have an 79 bus, it doesn't run. The engine is full of "stop oil leak" gunk from limping back from Moab last time I went. For you, special price.

[AlpineK]

Mistake # 1: Anthropomorphizing your vehicles. 'She's'got WAY too many miles on 'her'.

 

My grandmother used to call her Valiant, "Betsy." Betsy lasted a long time.

[tvashtarkatena]

I had a Valiant. They last so long because they've only got 4 moving parts.

 

I named mine 'Shitheap'.

Edited May 7, 2007 by tvashtarkatena

[rob]

You have to name your bus. There's a law.

 

Besides, it helps to have a name to curse while banging your solenoid with a hammer.

[ZimZam]

I have 2 VW's at present. Hansel und Gretel.

[archenemy]

Be very cautious. I've run a lot of VWs into the ground and unfortunately have too much experience with keeping them going with high mileage. VW's are great for the first 8-10 years, then things start falling apart fast. If you have a parts car and do the work yourself, old VWs are a great option. If not, the costs of a competent mechanic will quickly bleed you dry at $70/hour.

 

Note: this is general VW advice - not specific to Eurovans. I've had 4 diesel Rabbits, a '98 TDI Jetta (sold) and currently have 2 '04 TDI Jettas. The Rabbits I took up to 300-350,000 miles. They took continual maintenance and required a couple parts cars. The '98 Jetta started falling apart at 180,000 miles and I dumped it.

You are spot on with this. I owned a lot of VW back in the early nineties and did most the work on them myself (I love bug ins!). Still, no matter how much maintenance you give them, they go to the grave around this time.

Tell the crazy broad who's asking $14K "Uh, no thanks".

[archenemy]

Oh, and my '79 pop top was named Corky after Corky Carroll

[sk]

I had a Valiant. They last so long because they've only got 4 moving parts.

 

I named mine 'Shitheap'.

 

i had one too 1966

 

i called mine "jack ass" he was a wonderful fist car

[tvashtarkatena]

I had a Valiant. They last so long because they've only got 4 moving parts.

 

I named mine 'Shitheap'.

 

i had one too 1966

 

i called mine "jack ass" he was a wonderful fist car

 

I just used mine to drive around in.