Jon,

I'm with Robin; buy both the Vanagon and the Plymouth.  (For $300, that
Detroit iron is literally a throw away car.)

You can save beaucoups $ by learning to do some maintenance/repairs
yourself.  Fellow Listees are always there with hints and encouragement.

BTW, what year and exact model Vanagon are you considering?

Good luck!

----- Original Message -----
From: Jonathan Lee <jrlee@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 1:50 AM
Subject: Reaching the end . . .

> Hello list.
>
> Well, my long, hard decision-making process is nearing an end.
> I managed to get an old '78 Plymouth Voyager van to start today, and drove
it
> around a few blocks.  It's cheap ($300), and will definitely sputter its
way to
> Vallejo this weekend for a harpsichord-moving gig.  I've bought myself
some time.
>
> Now, to decide about the Vanagon.  All things considered, I still want the
damn
> thing (I'm a masochist, I'll admit).  I took the vehicle to a mechanic
today, whose
> diagnosis was as follows:
>  -- Pressure check: OK
>  -- Needs new thermostat
>  -- Needs new right-rear  C/V axle (drive axle) -- biggie: $250
>  -- Needs new gaskets (didn't understand which ones) -- cheap (forgot
exact figure)
>
>  -- Needs coolant change (it's time for one)
>  -- Needs new rear tires
>  -- Direct quote: "It has a good chance of running for a year with no
serious
> problems.  However,   knowing Vanagons, that's ALL it will run for without
work."
>
> All-in-all, the mechanic wants $800 for the work (there are a few things
not
> included in the above list, such as oil change . . .).  I can probably get
that
> down a little ($150-$200, probably), and can possibly talk my seller down
a bit
> from his $1800 request.  If the van really will run for a year without any
further
> serious repairs, it might be a good thing to own.
>
> So, my options are down to these three scenarios:
> 1.) Buy the Vanagon.
> 2.) Buy the Plymouth AND the Vanagon.  Do nothing to the Plymouth, fix the
> Vanagon.  That way, if either one of them is a mistake, I've got another
> harpsichord-schlepping vehicle.
> 3.) Buy the Plymouth and use it only for harpsichord moving.  Buy another
> (non-Vanagon) vehicle for everyday commuting.  Perhaps the
earlier-mentioned '67
> Beetle (at least it's a VW -- would it be reliable?  The owner says it is.
. .  But
> *she's* selling the thing) or perhaps something more like a mid-'80s
Subaru or
> Honda.
>
> Anybody have any final suggestions?
>
> best,
> Jon
> ---
> Jonathan Rhodes Lee
> jrlee@mailandnews.com
>