Still not sure what a dilettante is, even with the musical analogy, but, and
this is the big BUT, I agree with him. (I think.)

For someone who doesn't have the time or inclination to become mechanically
involved with their vehicle, the air-cooled is less maintenance. You can get by
with just checking the oil through the license plate regularly. Quick and easy.
With a wbx, in addition to watching the oil,  you have to be pulling the lid off
every now and again just to be checking for bad hoses or leaks as these can
occur at ANY time and be BIG trouble. Just the act of doing this forces you into
becoming more mechanical. Once you get in there and start nosing around, you
start finding things you want (or have) to know more about. You start reading
the Bentley manual at all of your breaks. You stay up till he wee hours of the
night reading and replying to Vanagon mail lists. You have the Bus Depot catalog
memorized. ... A devotee is born.

Did I get it right David?

Peace - donna
'84 Westy (Pepe)

The Gunnings wrote:

>  ... But, and this is a very big
> BUT, but only if you understand beforehand that this can be something of a
> quirky engine.  Even more so than most.  If I had any advise for you along
> these lines it would be to the effect that if you are a person who is
> something of a dilettante, then the air-cooled might be a safer bet.  But
> (and this is where the really big BUT enters the picture) but if you have
> the capacity to become more than a mere mechanical dilettante and recognize
> that to have a good relationship w/ a wbx Vanagon usually takes  more than
> that,  you will probably be alright.  More like a mechanical devotee,
> instead.  Actually, you probably would not have much of a choice than
> becoming something of a devotee, if you buy a wbx.   It can be a large
> commitment.  A devotee is to a dilettante is the musical equivalent of an
> octave.  Pardon the musical analogy but I am feeling slightly jazzed, at the
> moment.  Hope this helps!