Would you buy this? How much rust is too much rust?

Post by **Ariadne** » 15 May 2010, 21:10

Hi there.

I'm thinking about buying my first VW. I went to look at one today (2 hours away, got there and the owners were away, only their daughter was there who didn't know anything about it, gah!) but didn't get a chance to drive it. I am tempted to go back and have a good drive of it, but it depends what people think of the rust! Pictures I took are on flickr here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annewaggot ... 942819525/

It's a 1987 T25 Leisuredrive 1.9 petrol watercooled. About 9000 miles since new engine. 4 berth technically, although the rock-n-roll bed is not a legal seat, so really only a 2 berth. They are asking £3900. I have taken photos of the worst bits - rust mainly, plus the engine cover which looks like it went on fire - should I be afraid??!

A few MOTs ago it failed due to rust in a wheel arch being <30cm from critical areas. It then passed and this hasn't been mentioned in subsequent advisories. Maybe they filled it with fibreglass? What's the verdict on that?

I know I would also need to give it a good drive (with someone who knows what they're doing, if I can find such a person), and check that everything inside works.

I'm no technical expert - I want something with a decent MOT that I can use straight away. I'm willing to spend a reasonable amount on it each year to keep it serviced and in decent nick and ensure it doesn't depreciate, but I'm not looking for a project. It will be my only vehicle, although I cycle or walk to work so I would only use it at weekends. It won't be garaged.

Let me know what you think. All constructive help will be received very gratefully!

Many thanks!

A

Post by **peasant** » 15 May 2010, 21:37

Duct tape = hole (not just leak)

This van (IMO) while not hopeless is definetly a project and needs quite a few things sorting. The semi-rotten roof structure being the most worrying of all.
If you're just going to use it and park it, it will deteriorate in front of your eyes and be a heap of crumbles in a year or two.

Given your criteria, if I were you, I wouldn't bother with the test drive (you might like it too much after driving it and just buy it anyway

)

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 15 May 2010, 21:37

Our C reg van was registered in 1985, so I'm not sure that you've been looking at a 1987 van. Those marks on the engine cover wouldn't worry me but that jacking point might but it's hard to tell from your photo. Underneath the van looks pretty good imho. Leaky roofs are a pain in the @rse and I don't like the look of some of your pics where the hi-top joins the van. You travelled a fair distance to see that van and the owner wasn't in to answer your questions, so I'd walk away from that one if I was you. Hold out for something with better bodywork.

Just my personal opinion based on your photos though.

Tony

Post by **italianjob** » 15 May 2010, 22:00

hello A

I don't want to pee on your fire but this is a real project IMHO. I know what its like, once you get the idea in your head about getting ' a van', you wanna get one right away - I was the same. Don't do it

Once me a mrs italianjob decided to get a van we looked at about 5 in a month before realising there was a lot of cr*p out there that people were trying to sell for a lot of money.
Take your time - I reckon you need to spend a good couple of months doing some IBR - internet based research - buyers guide on brick yard web site, ebay for checking prices, and best of all this place.
Visit a few shows and check out the vans - not just the 'show and shine' but the ones in the car parks and the camp ground.
Talk to the owners and get to grips with the pits falls - and pleasures, there are a few

Bodywork needs to be straight - ie in good nick. These vans are getting on now, so its going to be really rare to find one in original condition for a reasonable asking price, unless you're really lucky.
Basically, you get what you pay your hard earned cash for.
From experience, I would say you could easily spend the asking price of that van just putting it straight, especially if you are not technically minded.
So, after 6 years of owning our van, would I do it again - oh yesssssss. on those rare occasions when it all comes together, i wouldn't swap it for the world.........even though it needs a new clutch..........and a new radiator.............and the wheels need refurbing..................and i need some new door seals..............................

ta for now - hope it helps - take your time.

Post by **Plasticman** » 15 May 2010, 22:41

Look at my post in general, 'body or lack of it' and also james long saga (7pages) in general, this will give you an idea, I can guarantee that its a rustbucket of the first and highest order 4* AA guide/good eating etc etc,
Sorry but those areas around the roof spell disaster and cost
mike

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 15 May 2010, 23:17

Agree with above. Underneath is ok - its all pretty thick steel under there and just needs a good seeing to. The upper body is a project for sure though. Dooable but for a first timer (unless you really want to do a lot of work) its a no no. For a seasoned T25er, not too bad but would take time to sort. Hope it finds a good home though!

Post by **72BUG** » 15 May 2010, 23:26

Way too much money at that price in that condition. You can do a lot better. RUN AWAY!

Post by **dj biz r** » 15 May 2010, 23:38

knowing what i now know i wouldnt pay that half mabe when i found my minibus i was cycling by having given up on my search i spotted it done an endo on my bike 10 mins later it was mine right now i should explain the cursery checks that were implemented .erm it started i bought it 1 week later my mate toweddme of a3 nearly 2 g,s later new engine exhaust etc i cant afford to sell but i will get my monies worth the engine had if i remember right two carrier bags full of tape. bicycle innertube and wire a fookin bodge but hey ho im lucky bodies ok ish

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 15 May 2010, 23:41

OOpps missed price. Yes £3900 way, way way too optimistic. Crikey I paid just £395 in total for mine four years ago and even allowing for the bit of work i've done, it still outshone that one. On that basis, do not go back, move on. No disrespect to the owner (I'm sure they're fond of it) but its not a £4k or even £3.5k camper. You'd never get your money back - would cost as much again to bring it up to scratch.

We all accept that in hunting for one, we have to kiss a lot of frogs but thats a toad pretending to be one.

Post by **Plasticman** » 16 May 2010, 07:45

Why are you disrespecting 'toads'

mike

Post by **Ariadne** » 16 May 2010, 09:11

Thanks everyone! I am going to kiss this toad goodbye! You've confirmed what I suspected, which is great. So don't worry about pi$$ing on my fire. Realistic is good. Gosh, this is the kind of info you can usually only dream of when buying a vehicle. I feel lucky.

I hope it goes to a good home too - it really deserves some TLC (don't they all) as when you stand across the road and squint a bit it looks beautiful, heheh! It's on ebay classifieds if anyone needs a project...

Just spotted a potential stunner in Edinburgh so I may well be back with more questions - sorry to be a complete pain. I am thoroughly enjoying the internet research stage though - you meet some great people and I'm learning loads.

I think it's given me a good wake up call - incredibly useful. It's a pain in the @rse looking for vans around here as they are few and far between - so I know I just need to keep looking. Heading for Dubfest in Newcastle next month which I'm hoping will be an education. See some of you there? Anyone who has already posted on this thread I will defo buy you a coffee (or make you one if I've bought a van by then and it makes it to Newcastle, hah hah here's hoping)!

A x

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 16 May 2010, 10:07

Run Forrest, Run !

Post by **Cruz** » 16 May 2010, 12:56

From my own experience the sill around the sliding door and more importantly the lower side panel on the drivers side screams hard work and cash. It looks to me that the only way to see the real damage would be to remove the kitchen units as they can hide a multitude of sins

See this wiki link for the potential hazards lurking behind the units

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ar ... chen_panel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have yet to see a van that's cab doors are 100% along the bottom where they meet the step. The 1/4 light seal has a drain hole in it at that point and water drips down into the door and SHOULD come out of the drain holes. Even if they are clear (mine weren't due to the remnants of a smashed 1/4 light window being in the cavity) 25 years of water makes it rusty.

As others have said walk away as there are plenty more fish in the sea

Post by **albertramsbottom** » 16 May 2010, 14:23

Too much money for too much rust

Two grand max

Post by **Plasticman** » 16 May 2010, 20:16

albertramsbottom wrote:Too much money for too much rust

Two grand max

on a very very good day
M

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