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<P>We have this discussion every time&nbsp;the vans are in the shop. However,here's our strategy to cope with the issue:</P>
<P>We add up the annual&nbsp; repair bills for our two vans and our ' 92 Honda Civic&nbsp;. It is never more than 4000$ for all three vehicles and we drive the heck out of them. I don't do any maintenance work myself, just have a trusted mechanic with reasonable prices. It is my philosophy to spend my freetime with my kids rather than under my vans.</P>
<P><BR>Here are several &nbsp;things I have learned since 1996, the year I bought my Westy, 150 000 miles ago:</P>
<P>- vanagons need to be driven&nbsp;daily. If&nbsp;you don't drive the van every day something will go wrong.</P>
<P>- you should own a second van/westy so one can be in the shop at all times.</P>
<P>-owning a vanagon/westy is a matter of lifestyle and/or life philosophy. </P>
<P>-there is no reasonable alternative available in the US at the moment.</P>
<P>-owning a vanagon/westy is an emotional,&nbsp; not a checkbook issue.</P>
<P>-SWMBO has to be a vanagon enthusiast, otherwise you're heading&nbsp;for a marital catastrophe.</P>
<P>-brand new cars break down too and cost a whole lot more to fix than old vanagons.</P>
<P>-I love my low insurance and property tax bills for my vans.</P>
<P>-the kids at my high school, in my neighborhood, and in my town think I am cool because I drive&nbsp; vw vans.</P>
<P>-my mother- in- law thinks I am nuts.</P>
<P>Recently I went&nbsp;on a trip&nbsp;to Moab&nbsp;(2500 miles roundtrip)&nbsp;in my 89 syncro, 186000 miles, 15 years old, crossing the Rockies twice, and all that it needed was new brake fluid. I abused that poor thing offroading in Moab, and still no problems. Now, that is what&nbsp;I call reliability.</P>
<P>My 2 cents.</P>
<P>Cheers,<BR>Hermann de Boer </P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Kansas City,Missouri
<DIV></DIV>87 Westy "Eurospec"
<DIV></DIV>89 Syncro GL
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