Folks,

Spend some time lurking on the Eurovan list and you will see that we are
lucky to have our Vanagons even with their problems!  The '93s are into
the 100,000 to 150,000+ mile range now, and trannys and engines are
starting to give out.  Owners are facing some tough decisions.  Factory
rebuilt auto trannys go for $3100, used for $1250, plus installation.
Several of the  Audi 5 cyls seem to be suffering from piston slap after
100,000 miles or so, but rebuilds on these should be reasonably
affordable.

Not so the VR6, it will be mega bucks when it's time comes, hopefully
well after 250,000 miles.  And for 2001 the EVC will come with a 200+ HP
V-6 with four valves and four cams.  Nice engine, but "going modern"
will mean trading up around 150,000 miles or so and a perpetual (large)
car payment!  These cars may not be on the road in 15 years, it will be
too costly to fix them.  If they are, they will have new engines and
transmissions and cost nearly as much as they do today (in 2015
dollars!).

Vanagons forever!! (And it is possible.)
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)

Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT