So, I thought i'd start a thread on here detailing everything were doing to our new van. Massively inspired to get on and do work on it myself after reading so many of your threads, so can only hope mine gives another story for people to read through and be inspired themselves. inspired to do what im unsure, but my advice at this point would be to do the opposite of everything I do.....
Anyway, first things first. Been after a vw van for years, always wanted a T2 Panel Van but never really had the time or space to work on it. Me and the mrs decided to put a 3 month trip away on hold and buy a van, spend some money on doing it up and use it to get in a few trips in and around the u.k and then hopefully after the vans proved it's reliable, over into europe and do some longer trips.
So, we started doing some research, looking into prices to see what we could afford and deciding what sort of van we wanted. Decided on a T4 for number of reasons, main ones being slightly (or supposedly) more reliable, more comfortable, better fuel economy and cost. I must of spent weeks scouring the forum, reading up etc.
Started looking early May for a 1.9td T4 and there were plenty about. Got let down on a few, messed about and lied too - seems the vw worlds not as friendly as I first thought, but before long found a t4 on ebay i was keen on. It was red, preffered colour, 1.9td 2001 with service history and lowish milage (117k) compared to some of the others we were looking at within our super tight budget. Only trouble was it was in Manchester and were down in Bristol.
Decided to keep an eye on it whilst looking at others, stuck in a bid at the end and won it.
Now, i'm usually super cautious about buying cars without viewing them,i.e I wouldnt do it. But the trek to manchester wasnt on the cards before the auction ended so I took a punt and well it bit me in the ass....
This is the van, pictures from the advert.
It was described as being good condition with a few surface rust scabs bottom of the front door. And one key scratch front passenger side and along the side door. No big deal, all manageable and something I can sort at a later date. However, there were plenty more scratches over the body and also a secuirty plate around the lock on the back door and additional yale type locks fitted to rear and side sliding door. None of which were mentioned on the advert or in conversation with the seller.
Long story short, deal was struck I was happy enough considering everything important seemed ok and these were all issues I can sort.
Left the sellers place and headed for home. All was well.... until I noticed the temp guage had stopped working about half hour down the road. Decided to pull into the services and check it out in the hope it was something simple. Jumped out had a nose and couldnt see anything. Fired it back up and it was working again. :*
Decided to head into the services for some lunch before the drive home, went to lock up and realized the keys I had, wouldnt lock the back or the side door. Phoned the seller up who basically told me a load of about there being another key in the glovebox and being able to lock it from the inside as a last resort.......GREAT. how often do people check keys / locks on a test drive? I know I never have but I was obviously niave on this one. Two options go back to see the friendly seller, or think f8ck it and head for home. Mrs talked me round, cheered me up with a bit of lunch and we headed home. Was all sold as seen so i'm not sure what,other than the obvious...... I would have got out of going back to his place. lucky we got the van cheap and had some money to spend on it straight away. live an learn anyway.
Got home and first thing was first, whip the wheel trims offT:
Anyway, first things first. Been after a vw van for years, always wanted a T2 Panel Van but never really had the time or space to work on it. Me and the mrs decided to put a 3 month trip away on hold and buy a van, spend some money on doing it up and use it to get in a few trips in and around the u.k and then hopefully after the vans proved it's reliable, over into europe and do some longer trips.
So, we started doing some research, looking into prices to see what we could afford and deciding what sort of van we wanted. Decided on a T4 for number of reasons, main ones being slightly (or supposedly) more reliable, more comfortable, better fuel economy and cost. I must of spent weeks scouring the forum, reading up etc.
Started looking early May for a 1.9td T4 and there were plenty about. Got let down on a few, messed about and lied too - seems the vw worlds not as friendly as I first thought, but before long found a t4 on ebay i was keen on. It was red, preffered colour, 1.9td 2001 with service history and lowish milage (117k) compared to some of the others we were looking at within our super tight budget. Only trouble was it was in Manchester and were down in Bristol.
Decided to keep an eye on it whilst looking at others, stuck in a bid at the end and won it.
Now, i'm usually super cautious about buying cars without viewing them,i.e I wouldnt do it. But the trek to manchester wasnt on the cards before the auction ended so I took a punt and well it bit me in the ass....
This is the van, pictures from the advert.
It was described as being good condition with a few surface rust scabs bottom of the front door. And one key scratch front passenger side and along the side door. No big deal, all manageable and something I can sort at a later date. However, there were plenty more scratches over the body and also a secuirty plate around the lock on the back door and additional yale type locks fitted to rear and side sliding door. None of which were mentioned on the advert or in conversation with the seller.
Long story short, deal was struck I was happy enough considering everything important seemed ok and these were all issues I can sort.
Left the sellers place and headed for home. All was well.... until I noticed the temp guage had stopped working about half hour down the road. Decided to pull into the services and check it out in the hope it was something simple. Jumped out had a nose and couldnt see anything. Fired it back up and it was working again. :*
Decided to head into the services for some lunch before the drive home, went to lock up and realized the keys I had, wouldnt lock the back or the side door. Phoned the seller up who basically told me a load of about there being another key in the glovebox and being able to lock it from the inside as a last resort.......GREAT. how often do people check keys / locks on a test drive? I know I never have but I was obviously niave on this one. Two options go back to see the friendly seller, or think f8ck it and head for home. Mrs talked me round, cheered me up with a bit of lunch and we headed home. Was all sold as seen so i'm not sure what,other than the obvious...... I would have got out of going back to his place. lucky we got the van cheap and had some money to spend on it straight away. live an learn anyway.
Got home and first thing was first, whip the wheel trims offT: