I bought my '84 Vanagon 2 years ago for $750. Body was excellent (I assume
it had never seen winter). Ran great. Been my daily drive since. I've put
maybe $1,500 more into it, and about 20,000 miles on it.

My wife's had a '91 Isuzu stylus for a  few months. Maybe put 2000 miles on
it. And already have $1,500 in it. At a higher purchase price to boot.

I have no complaint's about my van's reliability.

John Flaherty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Kasper" <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Which Vanagon to get?

> on 1/24/01 3:18 PM, Chris Tucci at ctucci@CUSTOMBLENDS.COM wrote:
>
> > Re:  Which Vanagon/and the reliability issue:
> >
> > They are expensive to repair if you're going to a VW shop.  Case in
point,
> > an unstable idle in my 85 1.9l was caused by a bad throttle body.  The
pin
> > that holds the valve had worn out at it's base, so the valve couldn't
secure
> > properly, allowing excess air in and confusing the computer.
> >
> > I'm not a mechanic, so I took it to a place I trusted.  A new throttle
body
> > can run $800.00.  Before the mechanic touches your vehicle.
> >
> > Some facts though: My 85 ran me 3500.  Reasonably new engine, but done
by a
> > shadetree mech who had a lot of "spare parts left over".  After the
> > inevitable used car initial purchase/troubleshooting on the van of about
1k
> > or so, it ran us all around Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana for 5 years,
though
> > with that unstable idle.
> >
> > Got sick of the idle running high, so after moving I took it to
Lehmann's in
> > Bechtelsville.  They found a used Tbody for about 100.00 with a
warranty.
> > They also found all of the spare vacuum line parts not reinstalled at
> > rebuild, and went through the motor with a fine toothed comb, adjusting
> > everything as they went.  That ran me a little over 800.
> >
> > So, I've spent about 5k - 6k dollars for the vehicle, with the
> > aforementioned repairs.  But this is for six years of use!  And after
this
> > recent tweak, I still don't have a lot tied up in a van that should
quite
> > easily run me another 30-50k if I keep the oil fresh.
> >
> > The van is huge inside, safe, drives like a dream.  I can do 70 all day
> > long, (except up steeper hills) my inverter keeps the kids happy, and at
> > over 6', I have the driver seat room that's becoming increasingly rare.
> >
> > It would be very difficult to find this type of comfort, room and
utility in
> > a vehicle I would consider reliable for under 10k.  Which is my .02!
>
>
> chris, after reading some of the latest posts i was beginning to wonder
> about the true "cost of ownership" of a vanagon.  i wrenched my '62
valiant
> for three years, keeping it running, changing the oil, working on the
> brakes, changing the wiring (running new wires for radio and speakers),
etc.
> nothing anyone couldn't do.  but these recent posts had me concerned if i
am
> buying into something i will have to babysit more than my kid!
>
> so, thank you.  your comments are well-received and appreciated.  i will
> continue our search.  hopefully we can find a westy that offers us the
same
> or better cost:use.
>
> cheers!
> bill
> hoping to hear tonight about that '85 westy
>