"What I was saying assumes that most, if not all, of the work is being done
by the owner"
   This in itself is not always cheap.  Go buy a spring compressor
and you have more money into the job, than paying someone.  Spend
money on a few parts you don't need..... KIA is the cheapest, by
far.
  The only way, is if you are highly knowledgeable and do your own work.
After reading some of the questions here, that's clearly not the
average individual.   Case in point, the "BIlly bones" financial
disaster.  After reading the first few threads, it made me sick, to
see the money this poor guy wasted.

                                   ERic

Mike Collum wrote:

>I probably would've worded it differently ... or at least added some words
>if I were talking to a group other than the Vanagon list.
>
>What I was saying assumes that most, if not all, of the work is being done
>by the owner.
>
>If you're relying on "others" for everything, then, no matter what you
>drive, new or used, it's gonna cost you.
>
>Mike
>
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>>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
>>
>>
>>
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