Thanks everyone for all the advice - it gave me enough info to feel
comfortable in making my decision!

I found an '85 westy weekender here in the area for sale this week,
took a look, drove it, he was asking $6K, offered $5K, he countered
with $5.5K, and it's now sitting in my driveway!  Not a speck of rust
on it, looked under it carefully and it's got no indication of any
accidents.  The engine had new head gaskets put on two years ago (plus
a lot of other work).  The heads were rebuilt before that, and
according to the PO the gasket was not in it's groove in the head when
it was replaced.  So he had both replaced - the work was done at a
reputable VW mechanic in Santa Barbara.

Anyway - he's put a lot of money into the engine, it runs really
nice.  Passed smog with flying colors, most of the emmisions where
below average (which is always a good sign).  Because he was putting
money into the mechanics, he didn't put money into the interior, but
it's still very usable.  He has two kids and wanted it safe.

Problems: steering wheel is upside down (or 180 degrees off), there is
no plastic cover on the steering column (which will make it easy to
fix the steering wheel alignment), there is a little air in the brake
line (brake pumps up a bit - he says it's always been like that, but
I've done brakes, cylinders, etc. before), the left signal is working
intermittently (feels like a loose/dirty connection - brakes lights
work fine), and a number of little things.

Pros: new Go Westy canvas, clean body, workable interior, peppy (for a
VW van), brake discs are good.

Cons: no air conditioning, paint is old (that bronze metallic color,
the clearcoat is fading and worn).

Thanks again - I'll be around!

Dan
L.A.