Scott Solomon's email made a good point about replacement cost of a Vanagon
in this subject's factor.
I have owned my 88 Westy since it was new. I have put about $7500.00 in it
in the last three years because it would cost close to $50,000.00 to buy a
vehicle that can do the same things. The nearest vehicle to a Vanagon that I
would own is a Trek 190. However, the Treck lacks one component. You can't
haul a large piece of furniture in a Trek.
We camp in our Vanagon and we use it to haul all of the large boat gear back
and forth to the marina to maintain our 36 foot sailboat. It will even hold
my 14 foot windsurfer inside. We use it to haul tools and repair equipment
to maintain all of our rental property here in Southern California. Since my
wife and I have owned the 88 Westy - we have never had to rent a truck to
haul a piece of furniture. You know - we didn't wait around the house all
day for the delivery truck to come. Supposed to be there by noon and shows
up at 7:00PM. By the way - is that just a California thing or does it happen
everywhere?
One time we purchased a sod lawn at the local Home Depot and hauled it home
to the yard in 3 trips. Please don't "flame" me for the sod lawn - I put a
piece of plastic sheeting inside to protect the interior of the van.
The Vanagon will carry an amazing amount of large material. You can't find
another vehicle that will do all of these things.
I enjoy this list very much -  all of you folks are great the way you share
information.

Best regards,

Alan Ruffalo
1988 Westy ( I love this vehicle)
1999 S-500 Mercedes ( I hate this vehicle)
2001 Toyota Avalon
1944 Wife
1968 Daughter
1969 Daughter
1998 Grandson