On Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at 07:14 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> Unless you are looking to modify it with say 1.9 TDI or otherwise
> tinker, I'd steer clear. They are grossly under powered, no AC or power
> steering. The like to crack heads, blow head gaskets, and destroy
> rings.
>
>
> Dennis

Or a 1.9 NA or TD.  About a $3k fix, but then it's fixed.

I've had mine for three years and unless something really interesting
comes along, it's my 'forever van.'

Sleeps my bride and I quite comfortably, Has enough room to change
one's mind in and gets (one year average) 26.94 mpg. If things get
REALLY bad, we could live in it.

Mine hasn't cracked its head, though it has blown a head gasket after
sticking a thermostat on a 105 deg. F day. Took all of $50 and four
hours to fix it. I consider the lack of power steering and AC to be a
benefit. Two less things to fail. (It's a flippin' VW, not a Lexus.)
I've not seen destroyed rings either.

As far as being 'grossly underpowered"; I suppose that it's all a
matter of perspective.  Having left SoCal behind 10 years ago, I no
longer feel the urgent need to run at 80-95 mph on an eight lane
superslab.  Living in rural Oregon lends itself well to the power
characteristics of the 1.9 NA (naturally aspirated,. Read,
unturbocharged) motor.  I can drive the 300 miles to Portland and
average 60 mph.  Filling up at the other end for less than $30 makes
the extra 40 minutes it takes me to get there seem rather trivial.
Besides, 60-65 is plenty fast to drive through the Columbia Gorge.

If I wanted to increase the speed to 65-75 it's a simple matter to
turbo the NA motor.  But for me, the NA is fine.  I ain't in that big
of hurry. And besides, in the three years that I've owned The Orphan,
I've watch its value go from about $3k to about $7.5k. If you want a
diesel, you better get it soon.

Like I said. I may well be my forever van.

(If you're interested in learning more, there are a few VW diesel lists
about.  Mark Drillock and I admin the diesel-vanagon list on
Yahoogroups.  There you'll find those that have seen the light.)

Jim

"We need a revolution."
"Keep saying that and we'll need a lawyer, assuming they let us have
one."

Jan Steinman <www.Bytesmiths.com>