The problem with all this is, not many people have the knowledge
to foresee problems with used vehicles until they are half way to
work , and break down in the middle of rush hour traffic.  This means 1/2
day missed work, and a tow for $75.00, plus borrowing the
SO car, the next 3 days when it is being fixed.  Add the this
the cost of a new ECU, and break down 3 weeks later only
to find that  the ECU was not the problem, and you will
surely agree that the $8000.00 Vanagon/camper/syncro
with 164,000 miles on it was in no way shape or form
a good deal for anyone, except a well tuned home
mechanic with lots of support people.   THe cost of ANY vehicle
with lots of millage, and lots of years under its bell is going
to excceed a new vehicle, unless you have way to get things
done cheaper.
                                       ERic

Mike Collum wrote:

><snip>
>The average car costs what, $150-250/mo+ to buy new, depending on how many
>thousands you put down. Yet try to justify spending $1000 per year to
>maintain a Vanagon.
><snip>
>
>If you were to purchase a new vehicle that could do even most of what a
>Vanagon, and especially a Westy, can do, it would cost you a lot more than
>$250/mo.  You'd experience a big depreciation hit the moment you took
>posession and it would start to wear.
>
>I've always subscribed to the notion that a used vehicle is cheaper to
>maintain than the costs incurred in buying a new one.
>
>After I obtained my '84 Vanagon (used), I bought a new full sized sedan for
>just over $25,000.00.  I used the sedan up and eventually sold it for
>$1500.00.  I had maintenance bills a bunch during ownership, also.  The
>Vanagon's maintenance hasn't cost anywhere near what the total cost of the
>sedan was and I still have the Vanagon.
>
>Oh, and my '58 Austin Healey Bugeye (Frogeye) Sprite with over 300,000 miles
>on it hasn't cost much to maintain, either.
>
>Mike
>Houlton, Maine
>'84 GL 7 pass
>'85 GL Westy
>
>
>
>