I've had my '84 GL 7 passenger automatic for 14 years and my '85 GL
Westy 4 speed for 3 years.  Neither has been to a mechanic since I've
owned them (I do all the work myself).

In '99 I shipped my '84 from Honolulu to Long Beach then drove it first
to Dallas then on up to Houlton, Maine.  I have since made 7 round trips
in it to southern Virginia (a total of 2,500 or more miles each time)
and a round trip to Chris Turner's in PA.  For the money spent on
maintenance (considering the use), it's been the most inexpensive
vehicle I've owned ... and at age 63 ... I've owned a lot of 'em.  Did I
mention that I do all the work myself?

I've made 6 round trips to southern Virginia in the Westy without worry.
  I'm not a member of AAA and don't wish I were.  Another trip to
Virginia is scheduled at the end of June.

That said, I would warn any potential buyer of a Vanagon that if they
aren't prepared to do their own work, they probably can't afford one ...
and that's just due to labor charges.  Parts aren't hard to come by if
you know where to get them.

Mike
Houlton, Maine
'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy

Robert Cardo wrote:
> And here lies the key to your retort.
> Climb into your oil burner and get away from Santa Fe.
> Take a trip north east, or just east, or maybe north to Montana, or
> Wyoming.
>
> You'll soon find you, and your Van out of touch with the real world
> Dorothy.
>
> Drop out of the Emerald City and you best have your AAA , the plastic,
> and the cell phone all paid up and ready to rock and roll.
>
> Mile driven for the dollar and time spent on the vehicle is highly
> exorbitant.
>
> It's a pretty sad situation where you have to stay close to home, or
> have a directory of where, and whom will perform surgery on your vehicle
> prior to beckoning out beyond your safety bubble.
>
> Neat vehicles.
> Fun to drive.
>
> But don't go too far.
>