In a message dated 9/3/02 9:40:40 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU writes:

> The combination of normal wear and tear for a 16 YO vehicle combined with
> the engineering flaws that the vanagon has have made the vehicle
> unpractical and unsafe for this type of use.

Within the last two weeks I made a 2500 mile hurry-up round trip to Florida
and a 900 mile round trip to Ohio.  Only problem was a kinked power window
cable.  I trust my van because I know it.  I always take tools but have
rarely needed them.  These are still reliable and safe vehicles if properly
and continuously maintained.  Maintenance is a process, not an event.

Tom
'71 Westy,
'85 Westy,
'87 Westy Auto,
'91 Carat,
'81 VW Diesel Pickup