1988 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

GL Weekender Minivan/Van

4 - Cyl.

Manual

WV2YB0253JH046139

Gasoline

1988 Volkswagen Vanagon - Weekender package Low miles on rebuilt engine & rust-free For sale is my 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon, Weekender edition. It's a well-running, complete van with a large stack of receipts from the previous owner going back to 2000. In 2004 the engine was rebuilt at a cost of $3000 and there have been less than 4000 miles on the odometer since then. The Weekender edition is my favorite interior configuration. You get the carrying capacity of a standard van with rear-facing jump seats, fold-out side table, and a 3-person rear bench seat that converts into a bed. I am selling because I have too many vehicles, and my kids are getting to an age with booster seats where I need shoulder belts in the back. I love these vans and I'll probably buy another in 5 years or so when my kids are old enough for regular seat belts. I will try to summarize everything about this vehicle, but please contact me if you have questions or want more detailed pictures of anything. Engine: it simply purrs. Starts easily even after sitting a week or two. You can tell this engine was rebuilt. Consistent, steady idle and good power city and highway. No oil leaks. I've owned a couple of these vans and have test-driven quite a few for sale in the past. I bought this van because it's the best-running Vanagon engine I've ever found at a reasonable price. There's a receipt included (and a photo below) for the engine. January 2004 at a cost of just under $3000 total. The exhaust system also seems fine. It's nice and quiet, though I haven't examined it in detail. I had a new catalytic converter installed after I purchased it. Transmission: 4-speed manual. No issues, although it's got a very slight whine, probably because it is the original trans as far as I know. New clutch master cylinder installed 11/2000 at 134k miles (receipt included). Also have receipt from 10/2001 (141k miles) for: crankshaft seal & clutch, mainshaft seal, cross shaft and throwout bearing, resurfaced flywheel, and crankshaft pilot bearing ($670). The shifter motion feels like the linkage or cables could use lubrication or a general refresh, but it shifts fine. Just trying to note everything for completeness. Cooling system: never any issues with temp and overheating. New radiator and thermostat 12/2004 ($463). However temp gauge does not work. The sensor needs replacement (it's definitely the sensor, not the gauge). I'll include a new sensor with the sale. It just recently stopped working, which is why I know the engine temp is always fine. When the gauge was registering it was always showing proper safe temps. Interior: original grey cloth. Mostly complete and in good condition with no tears/rips. Two front armrests are missing. Dash is intact with no cracks. Carpet is in average condition, actually pretty good for a vehicle this age and type. Headliner has a little bit of discoloration here and there but is complete and intact. A/C control panel has a couple cracks but nothing serious. The sliding door lock recently broke. It stays in the locked position. Probably broken spring inside. It works fine if you move the lever to unlock. The rear mat is included over the engine compartment as well as all 3 rear headrests. There is no radio installed, but I will include the ancient aftermarket radio I took out of it if you want. All wires are labeled with speakers in place and ready for a new stereo. The curtains are a rather whimsical pattern and installed by the previous owner. Includes matching pillows! Dash is in good condition and no cracks. Body: paint is where it needs the most attention. Quite simply the paint is awful. This van was originally silver but at some point someone put dull, flat gray paint on it. Might be primer. The body is in great shape overall but if you want this van to look nice it's going to need a complete new paint job. Elsewhere, there is no rust (probably an original CA van). There is a crack on the right rear (blind spot) of the rear bumper. There are some scratches on the body behind the sliding door. It looks like someone may have slid the door with some sort of problem that scratched the body (though the door slides fine now). The sliding door rails could use lubricating. It has power side mirror controls but neither mirror works. Tires: it needs a new set of tires. They are average condition at best, but 3 different brands. Size 205/70R14. Plan on a new set of tires very soon but they all hold air fine, as does the spare Climate control: has original factory A/C system but does not work. Compressor does not engage -- no Freon in the system. Haven't looked into condition, what's needed, etc. Heater works great on all settings (defrost, fan, etc.). Even has rear heater which also works. These were often removed from these vans so this is a nice original item. Suspension / steering: both work fine. No issues or noise at all with steering. Suspension feels like it should and I have a $300 receipt for front and and rear shocks 6/2002. Electrical: all gauges and lights work except for temp gauge as I mentioned. Front wipers work great; rear wiper is missing. The speedometer/odometer is slightly noisy. It sounds like something internal needs lubrication. I would not be surprised if the speedometer cluster needed a rebuild at some point, though tachometer works fine and is quiet. One other receipt I should mention is from 5/2001 for $1041. Remove and install both drive axles, new constant velocity joints and boots, new boots for steering rack, new oxygen sensor, all new fuel hoses, and resealed fuel injectors (though of course the engine was completely rebuilt a few years later). Basically this is a very solid mechanical van that needs a couple minor items like a new temp sensor and tires. The only major item it needs is paint. The best part is definitely the engine. Most of these vans have the original tired, leaking engine. This one is quiet, smooth, and strong. Clean CA title in my name and registered until June 2012. I am open to delivering the vehicle (including to a shipping depot) at a cost of $1/mile, maximum 50 miles. Cash is the only payment method I will accept in person. If you are shipping the van payment method must be bank wire transfer in advance of shipment. You must pick up this vehicle within 7 days from auction end. Your bid is a binding contract and vehicle is sold AS-IS with no guarantees whatsoever.