Talk to some of the original owners.  A lot of you are buying worn out
vehicles and then complaining about problems.  I didn't know how terrible
these things were until after I joined this list!  The '86 I purchased new
had over 138,000 miles on it when I sold it and it still ran great.  I
changed the oil regularly, along with the coolant, trans oil, fuel filters,
etc...  I only sold it because I had just bought an '85 camper.   Many VW
owners are cheap.  They scrimp on maintenance.  This '85 was not looked
after.  The motor was shot at 125,000 miles.  I am amazed it lasted this
long.  The problem was not the head gaskets, Vanagon syndrome, or the
P-rated tires!  Low oil pressure was its demise.  The simplest of all
maintenance items--regular oil changes.   These vehicles are "cockroach"
tough if you look after them.    How many '85 Chrysler mini-vans are still
on the road?  I am looking forward to at least 150,000 miles from my new
Boston Bob engine.

                                                                        Jay