In the same amount of time payments on a new Land Rover  would be around
$13,500 at $900.00 a month.

New, my 1982 Westfalia sold for $17,000.

I bought it for $2,000 with a burnt engine and when I was done converting
it(diesel to gas) I had spent $3,600.

In the whole eight years I've owned it I had the trans rebuilt(600.00),
replaced the engine with a 2.0, ($500.00), replaced the the front discs,
added power steering, AC, etc.

I think it's been a a cheaper way to go than a used sailboat.

It's not a hole in the water you pour money into, but as Unca Joel says," A
Vanagon is a hole in the money that you pour water in"

Robert

1982 Westfalia
----Original Message Follows----
From: Mark G <machfive@EXCITE.COM>
Reply-To: machfive@EXCITE.COM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Cost of Ownership
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 15:51:14 -0400

I was filing my latest receipt, and I thought I'd add up all the receipts I
had on the Vanagon. YYYEEEEOOOOWWWWW!!

Anyway, for those who keep score, here goes...

Months of ownership: 15 months (April 2002 to present)

Miles driven: 10,000 (past 5 months as daily driver)

Amount of money poured into van thus far: $3031.23 (includes maintenance,
repair, and upgrades. I actually have all the gas costs listed separately,
but I don't feel like going down to the parking lot...)

I would say that the van, when purchased, was in decent shape. (Mostly just
sat except for rare camping trips,) and much of the money was spent getting
it into great shape mechanically and aesthetically.  It's one vehicle that
is actually probably worth more now than when I bought it, so I don't feel
too bad about the $$$. Thankfully, we got the van reasonably, so it doesn't
hurt as much as if we'd bought high, as many are forced to do now.

What a great hobby we've fallen into...

Mark Garcia
Alhambra, CA
So Cal VW Campers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoCalVWCampers/

_______________________________________________

Robert
1982 Westfalia 1987 Wolfsburg

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