How many 'Chris's are on this list, anyway? You guys should take a number so
we can tell you apart; age, location- something!
Welcome back, btw. : )

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris" <chris@MCCLURKEN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 1:23 PM
Subject: USA Vanagon EOL

> Hello folks! I've been away from the list for a couple of months but I'm
> finally getting around to thinking about the van again.
>
> There is one question that continues to plague me. In the computer world
> I'm familiar with there is always an end of life (EOL) to every product.
> And I'm not talking about when a company stops producing something or
> stops supporting it but when it becomes nearly impossible to maintain an
> old product. If you've got some old 486 computer chugging along and the
> network card dies on it you'd have a pretty hard time finding an ISA
> card to replace it, etc etc.
>
> So my question is, if anyone has quantified such, when will our dearly
> loved Vanagons have their inevitable EOL? Sure, some parts can be easily
> rigged, a few parts may come out of Germany or South Africa or where
> ever else. But there comes a point when even if a part is available it's
> at a cost that doesn't make it feasible. Of course there are other
> factors that may not affect many van owners, like how long does it take
> to get that part?
>
> This question has been eating me ever since trying to locate transaxles
> for my (now) 3 speed van. Cores are very precious it seems.
>
> Anyway, it's good to be back. Happy 2005!
> Chris
> Nashville, TN USA
> 85 GL (yeah it's still broken)