Sure they are!  When you push it over a cliff!!!

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Carpenter" <Trvlr2001@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 9:53 AM
Subject: Re: "maintenance free vanagons" (ha ha ha)

My buddy up at work just bought a 84 Westy, and is getting some work done to
it.
He mentioned that he will be glad when it is "finished."
I had to chuckle, and told him, "they are never finished"
Have a good Friday,
JC...

> Seriously, if you're used to/expecting reliability and maintenance expense
> similar to same-vintage Japanese vehicles, it's not going to happen. And
> getting it fixed right tends to involve a fair amount of participation on
> your part because the US never did understand these beasts very well and
> it's mostly forgotten what it did know.
>
> Welcome to the list, and to your new life. <g> Vanagons are unique
> vehicles, and if you find that they're for you you'll be willing to put up
> with the pain. Just don't expect a free ride...
>
>
i agree totally.. my vanagon has been about as expensive to maintain as a
damn mercedes , but i still wouldnt give it up for any other van...
chris