John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Wrote:

However there never seems to be an end to
list members whining about how costly Vanagon ownership is. The Vanagon
has been out of production for almost 10 years now and the majority of
them now have an excess of 100,000 miles. I doubt that VW expected the
Vanagon to go much farther without major mechanical repairs. Why do the
whiners on the list expect Vanagons to deliver reliable service at high
mileage without needing repairs?

--------------------------------------------

I thought I'd add my opinion here.
I think, compared to other vehicles, the vanagon comes in below average when
it comes to reliability and cost of operation/cost per mile.

Some will say that the vanagon is reliable and economical IF it is
maintained properly.
I don't think manufacturers should design and require a vehicle to have a
strict and comprehensive maintenance routine for it to be reliable and cost
efficient.  I say this because in the real world a car will go through
several owners and less than perfect maintenance in its useful life.  The
second or third owner of an 8 year old car probably does not change the
brake fluid and coolant every two years.
For example, VWs A2 series golf - jetta (1985 - 1991) seem to go to above
200,000 miles with very poor maintenance, i.e.. oil changes.
I've had a couple dozen VW inline 4 gas engines with high mileage and have
never had to do any work on the bottom end, and only once on the head.
My experience with toyotas and hondas from the 1980s - early 90s is the
same.  The transmissions last for the life of the car.

The WBX/vanagon requires a high level of owner involvement to keep it on the
road.  It's more than a transportation appliance, you have a relationship
with your van.   Maybe that explains the popularity of mail lists like this,
I don't know of any mail lists for the dodge caravan.

I like my vanagon, 87 syncro westy (propane/gas)

Just my opinion
Gary Lee
Calgary, Canada