This probably isn't the best place to bring this up,
since it is a biased audience, but i'm curious about
what your thoughts are.

Since moving up here to Vancouver, BC, and still
searching for a job, money things have become more of
an issue since neither of us are employed (she is a
student).  Lately, my '84 westy has been a topic of
conversation.  In particular, whether or not we should
keep it.  We now live in a community where we are
delightfully free to get around via foot, bike, and
bus, so having two vehicles really isn�t necessary
(although i�m not sure how a job would affect all
that).  There are two fairly divided camps of thought
on this in our household:

Hers - if we are only going to pare down to a single
vehicle, the van is not the most practical one for
what we use it for (basic transportation).  She does
not want to feel trapped into driving a vehicle she
thinks is relatively unsafe (less than inspiring
brakes, no airbags, no abs, etc.), has a blind spot
(why do all vans have the same dent in the rear
bumper), and is not known for being the most reliable
vehicle in the world...  Basically, if we are sharing
a vehicle, she wants a modern, reliable, economical,
and safe one (small, too).

His - I've very recently spent a *lot* of time and
money on this van.  It is in really good shape, and
since my dad is the original owner, all my family
vacations were in it, so i kind of grew up in it.
Yes, there still are a few, um... quirks (mainly with
the FI adapting to the larger engine), but i honestly
feel everything is reliable now (new hydraulics,
rebuilt tranny, new engine, new etc. etc... deluding
myself?).  However, i do understand that a small car
like a honda is better suited for around-town driving,
gets better gas mileage, etc., so a lot of my
attachment is an emotional one, not a rational one.

This is starting to be a bit of a contentious issue in
our house, and i'm wondering if i am being silly
holding on to a van as a potential single vehicle that
my wife *really* doesn't want to be committed to as
our sole means of transportation.  Another car would
do what we need quite well, but i simply like this
one.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this (and serious
ones, please... last time i posted something involving
my wife, i received a disturbing number of
misogynistic responses)

Thanks,
-Damon

=====
'84 Westy (Sparky) w/2.3L WBX (wow... it actually works!)

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