Hey, welcome to that crasy but loving list...am french, so the fist rule is
to: no bashing Ben's english...ok, he he he he...

Good point on Vanagon: one of my friend and customer as 358,000km (222,000
miles) with the same engine and most engine componnents, some people went
across the continent without any major problems (like me in m y 87)

BUT, like John great post, VW engine and mechanical components need care and
maintenance... they are NOT like some other engine company (Honda, Toyota),
built fort life (almost), what you need to do is have the somewhat
precarious cooling system....and some oil components...

So here a few things that should be replace and/or check before any big
trip/new ownership:
-Replace Both oil senders (no questions ask, they do fail... often)
-Replace water pump unless you have a proof that this one was replace.
-check CAREFULLY all major coolant line, metal and flexible.
-Replace coolant expansion tank and cap
-REPLACE ALL FUEL LINE AND CLAMPS WITH SOME GOOD STUFF (FI CLAMP)
-Have those head gasket tripple check

-To push a bit further:
-TempsII sender
-OS2 Sender
-Alternator
-Alternator Bracket
-Thermostat

Also replace all normal maintenance parts (Cap, wire, distributor....)

I have a small and humble web site on Vanagon's and Bus's, please have fun
looking around...
http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm

A VW is a love and hate relationship.

Ben