I have only been driving (legally) for 4 years, which makes me quite young
on this list. Unfortunately my parents couldn't afford to buy me a new car
to last me till I'm 26 and send me off to college with it like all my other
friends' parents did. So I got sucked into the VW world. All 5 cars I have
owned have been purchased by myself in used condition. 1971 Super Beetle,
1962 Dodge Dart, 1974 Bus, 1985 Westy, and 1986 Cabriolet. Every single one
of these cars was driveable in used condition, but not a month went by
without something needing to be replaced. Everything I every replaced on
these cars was due to lack of maintenance by the previous owners. Although a
used car with less upkeep can be purchased for less money, it will probably
cost more to drive. I just got the head gaskets done on my Vanagon with 96k
miles, I did not curse the dreaded design the VW engineers came up with, but
the lack of maintenance of the previous owner which used green coolant and
never changed it. Now if I was to purchase a VW brand new and do the
maintenance by the book (as I would love to do, but can't afford it) and
that car broke down every few months and things had to be replaced all the
time, I would be very upset at the company. I am guessing that the majority
of the people on this list have purchased their Vanagons, some 22 years old,
used. Because of this, they had no control over what the PO did, and usually
the van was poorly maintained and now is a money pit. I personally will
continue to throw money into my Westy until I have a massive wreck or find
that perfect syncro to trade it for, but in the meantime I will keep it
properly maintained and fix it correctly when things break to keep it going
as long as possible, including my wasserboxer engine.

Nathan
85 Westy
86 Cabriolet

>I read this subject and laugh.
>
>Just how long is a machine expected to last?
>I remeber in the 40's, 50's 60's , a vehicle in dealer lot was thought
>to have many miles on it at 40 to 50 k.
>Now for some reason the question is asked why is a machine had rebuild
>at 90 k ??
>Just how long do people think vehicle is to last.
>Forever without having to do repairs?
>Problem  is people expect much out of old design, old vehicle, with
>trying to do not too much.
>This will not happen.
>Big miles.
>Big bills.
>Big repairs.
>Vanagon / Bus people expect too much out of old worn out things.
>I laugh.
>I want to buy a Renault Dauphine, and run it every day, all day, and
>expect no repairs, no bills to run it, and compare it to a Japanese car.
>Not now.
>Big Joke.
>
>Good Morning
>
>Fred.

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