An older high mileage engine can also be considered thoroughly tested.
If it hasn't broken yet, why should it soon? Regardless of mileage, an
engine can be inspected and tested to ensure some level of reliability.
Most breakdowns are due to support system failures. If the radiator
suddenly splits, it doesn't matter if you have the 200,000 mile
water-boxer or the brand new TDI or Subie.

Dennis
Drove the FUN BUS from Florida to New York.
Original engine and head gaskets, 235.5K
It doesn't knock, smoke, or leak coolant. Won't touch it until it
breaks.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Malcolm Stebbins
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 12:46 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Diesel Subaru Conversions

--- Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET> wrote:
> In summary you'll save $370 per year in fuel costs for 10000 miles per
year.
> How many years to break even on the installation is left as an
excercise for
> the reader.  Seems to be over ten years

I plan on doing some 'outback' driving, so for me, it may also be that
the 600 kms per diesel tank
verses the 400 km per gas tank will actually make a difference.  I know
I could take along extra
gas cans, but I'd do that anyway.

Also let's factor in the 'average' family that gets 2 or 3 weeks
vacation per year and factor in
the probability of an 'older' engine breaking down and 'robbing' the
vacation days, versus the
probability of the 'new' engine breaking down.  Also factor in the time
it takes to find a vanagon
mechanic, versus a Ford or Subaru mechanic, while those vacation days
are ticking away.

Put that into your "numbers".

> Numbers rule!

IMHO it is more appropriate to use 'Utility Theory" and not numeric
'estimated values' in making
these personal/family decisions.  'Peace of mind' may be 'worth' the
$14,000 (or $10,000, or
$5,000) engine conversion, where-as your numbers make it 'appear'
otherwise.

If we put 'ego' into the equation, all the numbers in the world will NOT
explain that decision!.

IMHO numbers DON'T rule. Numbers often confuse.  Emotion rules!   M

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