Ok -- So I went and looked at the van today I wrote
about here 2 weeks ago:

The 90 Carat is actually an '89
Carat.  Has a swing lift in the side door for a
wheelchair (up to 300 pounds capacity)
It is at a used handicapped van place - asking
is $6000 - Edmunds has it from $2500-4800 depending on
repairs etc.  (this van has a used wheelchair lift in
the side door - probably worth $500-750).  Automatic
with air. (A/C no workie - see below)

So after I inspected it for around an hour (thanks to
the list for the form - totally valuable to use:
http://vanagon.com/info/articles/buring/bus-buyers-guide/index.html)

and before I even drove it I told the guy about the
engine (see below) and offered him $2500.  He's
getting back to me tomorrow on that figure.

I'd really, really appreciate comments from folks
about the engine issue

Major issues:

a. Now for big news - when I got there it had been
moved across their parking lot.  There was dampness in
the tail pipe and a brown spot of rusty water on the
ground.  When I started it specks of water flew out of
the exhaust pipe.  A mechanic I phoned told me this
means either: bad headgaskets or a cracked head.
Note: after I drove it I checked the exhaust pipe and
it was dry
Any ideas anyone? A mechanic i've visited b4 - Bela
Auto in Burbank, CA said over phone this is probably
at least headgaskets or maybe cracked cylindar heads
(as i figured) and would be around $1500 - 2000.

(b) Engine stumbles sometimes when starting out - and
also when cold - any ideas anyone?

When driving the van has great zip - plenty of pickup
and generally a pleasure to drive.  I'm totally hooked
on getting a Vanagon after this drive...just not sure
if this is THE one....

FEEDBACK PLEASE !!!!!!

b.  Was hit in right rear, had broken engine
mount/frame problems (fixed per repair records)

General Stuff:
(1)Has wheelchair swing lift - old model - no longer
made - works
(2) Regular radials -not LT tires
(3) Ran VIN# search - sold 1st in Illinois - was there
for 4 years (had 80,000 when came out to calif)
(4) Rust under sliding door track, under step-ups at
front doors, at lower left windshield
(5) No rust found in wheel wheels front or rear (maybe
a new undercoat job???)
(6) Missing: spare and jack
(7) small chip in windshield
(8) Interior in great shape - new headliner; seats not
worn or squishy; carpet ok
(9) gauges worked to spec
(10) ran cool during/after drive
(11) new front rotors/pads - rears unknown
(12) new power steering pump
(13) A/C is down the middle - and doesn't blow cold---
any ideas anyone?
(14) Drove ok - no pulling; brakes worked good - no
pulling or diving to one side/other
(15) no weeping of water/oil/fluids around engine
before test drive or after
(16)Dipstick showed no water beads before/after
driving
(17) Engine oil didn't smell of exhaust excessively
before/after driving

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