Gerry and list,

Paranoia spreads easily, whether its about 'leaky heads' or getting murdered
on the side of the road.  While I'm not advocating sheer ignorance, I think
we all need to look at these with a perspective.  This list is meant to help
people with their Vanagon problems, so naturally you will read about mostly
problems, much like the news media concentrates on the negative.  What you
don't get on a regular basis are positive messages from, what I believe, are
a silent majority of people who are more than extatic, if not fanatical,
about their Westfalias and Vanagons.

Mine has over 140K on the original engine with the heads intact.  Yup, no
leaky heads here!  I also now have a functional A/C and I can cruise at 75
MPH!  All that from an '85 Westy.  Yes, the maintenance can be expensive,
but I try to do most of the work myself.  Read my lips: NO CAR PAYMENTS.
This list is a big help, and I can't envision owning my Westy without it!

So, thanks to all you guys!

Chris,

'85 Westy in Alabama, soon in Michigan.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Royston, Jerry
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 8:37 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Westy/Vanagon Paranoia

Mike Finkbiner has a good point.  This Wal-Mart thread creates a certain
degree of paranoia as does much of our discussion of the problems with
Vanagons mechanically.  I'm a new Westy owner and I haven't even gone
anywhere yet and I'm ready to sell the van because I think it's going to
break down at any moment or that I'm going to get mugged along a peaceful
isolated stream somewhere in Idaho.  If I had joined this list before
purchasing my van, I might have changed my mind.  But it's too late now.
I'm obsessed with getting my Westy into great shape so that my kids and I
can have adventures (positive ones) while seeing this continent.

Please, more stories about how your Vanagon/Westy has been a great, safe,
and reliable vehicle and how it has opened up your world like no other
vehicle could.

Gerry