I purchased my 91' Carat Automatic four years ago at 119K total miles
and  34K on a Canadian VW rebuilt engine as my main vehicle. We have a
second car that gets my wife and kids around during the week.  I've
driven 70,000 miles since then. I've never been towed.  My only road
crisis was the second day I owned it near Fort Walton Beach, I heard the
waterpump bearings. I called ahead to my overnight stop and ordered a
waterpump. It was there the next day, and I changed it in the parking
lot of the parts store with their permission.

I've replaced Water pumps at 120k, 153k, 176k.  I'm running a New German
one now. O2 sensors at 140k Precaution only, 145K, & 160K.   The fuel
pressure regulator at 175k.  Front Brakes and rotors and  CV's at 160k.
Coolant Tank at 140k.  I've replaced the coolant distributor at 160k.
The Power Steering Pump @ 160K. Had the alternator serviced @ 150k.  Had
the Starter Serviced at 140k. Done all types of service to fluids,
electrical connectors and alignments and such.

 I made 12  trips in 97 of 1000 miles or more one way.  I drove 2400
miles in 98 with a 2000 lbs  payload inside, got 21 mpg most of the way
at 65 mph and drove the distance in 2 1/2 days solo. I towed a 22'
Travel Trailer Summer 98 about 200 miles, 45-50 mph. In 99' drove 4
trips of 1000 miles or more. In 2000 I drove 7000 miles around the US
with the Family 4 of us and the dog; 4500 miles were towing a 5 x 8
Uhaul . This included driving up to 8000' over the continental divide.
Also in 2000 I team drove the van 2400 miles from BC to Ohio in around
40 hours; other than fuel stops, 90 minutes for a sit down breakfast.
Drove the Van back 2400 miles a week later.

I'm extremely pleased with the vehicle. It has power, and conveys my
family and I in comfort and serenity.  I've driven it hard.  I've driven
it long.  And I've eaten in it, slept it, and hauled most of my
belongings with it.  I hauled sheet rock, lumber, rocks and what else I
don't know.  It is simply worth it's weight in gold to me.

Sincerely,

Mark Keller
91 Carat
Cowichan Bay, BC

-----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of
Greg Vaughn
  Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 6:31 PM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: is your Vanagon your main/only vehicle?

  I'm wondering for how many of you your Vanagon is your main means
  of transportation, and you drive it 20,000+ miles per year.  In
  the 2.5 years I've had my 91 Westy, I've had to put an awful lot
  of money into repairs, and am beginning to wonder if this vehicle
  just isn't suited for continual use and frequent long trips.  I
  take pretty good care of my VW, but it is currently in the shop
  with a broken crankshaft on a engine that was rebuilt only 30k
  miles ago.

  Are there Vanagon owners out there who log a lot of miles and don't
  have many problems?

  - Greg

  ================================
    Greg Vaughn Photography
    Eugene, OR 97405  USA
    phone/fax: (541) 485-8597
    e-mail: Greg@GregVaughnPhoto.com
    website: www.GregVaughnPhoto.com
    member ASMP, SATW, NANPA
  ================================