No brainer. Keep what you have. All vanagons are over 10 years old. Most
have more mileage on them than yours. And you know that you've taken
"meticulous care" of yours. Who knows what kind of care it's replacement
will have had?

If the body is good, keep up with the maintenance. You should get another 50
to 100 thousand out of the engine. Maybe more. And if  the rest of the van
is still in good shape when the engine does go, just drop a new engine in
it.

My $.02

John Flaherty
Portland, Maine
'84 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Brandt" <peter@PBCLIBRARY.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 7:46 AM
Subject: 85 Venango; To keep or not to keep...

Hello all; I have a 1985 water-cooled Vanagon, it runs great, has 105k
miles on it, I have owned it for 7 years, and have taken meticulous care
of it.  I use it to commute to work every day but I am not sure how much
longer I can expect it to last.  I am toying with the Idea of looking
around for a newer one (1990 or so w/lower mileage).  Does anyone have
any advice on whether or not I should sell and upgrade to a new vehicle,
or keep my current one and run her into the ground?  How many miles are
typical on these puppies?

Thanks for any thoughts, it is appreciated as I contemplate this
decision...

-peter-