I'm with you there.

While my '85 Vanagon seems comparatively trouble free compared to my '96
Passat GLX, the Vanagon doesn't see nearly the use--hardly any use in Iowa
winter.  The Passat is one niggling problem after the other, as was my '92
Passat, my '85 Jetta GL, my '81 Passat Diesel (Dasher), my '80 Westmoreland
Rabbit (hideous car) and my '75 Rabbit.

The '85 Vanagon seems to be at a stable point.  I've put hardly any money
into it since 1997.  I put a new (remanufactured) engine in it in early '96.
That was 75,000 miles ago and that engine feels as strong as the day I drove
it away from the understanding mechanic who installed the engine I ordered
from VWoA.  214,000 miles now.

In one way or another, though, I've loved all these cars perhaps in some
ways I've loved dysfunctional human partners.  They weren't perfect, but
when they were good they were really good. When they were troublesome, it
was awful, but I leave with some really entertaining stories to tell people
at cocktail parties.  I still love my Vanagon and it's gonna take a mighty
big hole when it, and I, go together.  Burial land is cheap in Iowa, I hope.

Donald Baxter
Iowa City, Iowa

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Jones" <ALOHADREAM@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 7:28 AM
Subject: gutless AND unreliable...(C'mon Volkswagen!!)

> I just had to throw in my two cents.
> Reliable Vanagons seem to be about as rare as people who smoke and live to
be
> 85. Sure there are a FEW out there, but it is not the norm. Oh, and by the
> way, things have not got much better over the years with VW reliability. I
> own a New Beetle (at one time I owned two) and they are plagued with all
the
> same pain-in-the-A. problems. You would not believe the number of repairs
I
> have had with these "New" Volkswagens. Seems like when you buy a VW you
need
> to be prepared to make your car payment and set aside an equal amount each
> month to keep the thing running.
> That said, I still love the design, marketing, and drivability of VW
products
> (when they are running). It's just too bad that one of the largest auto
> manufacturers in the world can't seem to make a reliable vehicle after all
> these years.
>
> Bryan Jones
> '91 Westy
> New Beetle
> '63 356 Porsche