In Kansas, personal property tax on a new van would run over $500 per year.
On my 85 Westy, it's around $50.  I have sworn to never buy a new car as
long as I remain in Kansas!  (Plus, I can buy a lot of VW parts for $450.)

Dave in KC
85 Westy
http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1

----- Original Message -----
From: VW Addict aka The Bus Nut <solomon_scott@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2001 4:23 AM
Subject: Re: Are Vanagons more trouble than they are worth???

> One thing that needs to be looked at is replacement cost. Sum up your
Vanagon,
> then look to see what it would cost you to replace it with something the
same
> or better. Would it be cheaper to by a new van? Would it serve the same
> function? If yes, then maybe they are more trouble, but I bet you say no.
It is
> hard to find a van with the volume of space, ease of use and utility of a
> Vanagon.
>   I got an 85 Westy multi-van for $750, even if it costs me another $3000
to
> make it perfect it is worth it to me. There is no way I can find another
van
> that will fit the bill. I had a 98 Dodge Caravan, I sold that pile of %^#$
and
> will never own another. It spent more time in the shop than any of your
Vanagon
> ever have and it was in its first year! And, I could not camp in it, a
$20,000
> turd with an affair with the Dodge Mechanic. I will keep my Vanagon.
> Scott Solomon
> --- Terry Kay <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET> wrote:
> > John,
> > I paid $125.00 for my 85, and at this point the Fundagon, has consumed,
> > $3200.00, of hard earned denaro's.
> > And without  hesitation I would venture to say, right off the top of my
> > head, that another $1500.00 is going to be spent on front end
> > necessities, and who knows' what else may lurk in the shadows of the
> > Van's future.
> > Is it worth it?
> > In real world sane terms, absolutely not, but I'll be damned if this
> > mechanical nitemare is going to get the best of me.
> > Now we are dealing with a thing of principal, and I think I'm gaining on
> > it.
> > And just because of the principal issue, it is worth it.
> >
> > (This E-mail was brought to you live from the Illinois State Mental
> > Health Facility in Elgin IL.) :>)
> >
> >   ______________
> >  |[  ] [  ] [ ]\
> >  |    |    |    |
> > ||-(())----(())-|
> >
> > Terry 85 GL
>
>
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