Hi Will,

If you've driven a $450 van for 8 years on $1500 in maintenance then
you've had a great run. Sounds like you could probably get another
five years out of it if you threw another grand or two at it.  What
are you gonna get from spending that $2K elsewhere? Someone elses
hand-me-down heartache, that's what. But if you put the $$$ back into
your own van then at least you know what you've got, and it keeps you
from repeating "first year hell" with something else.

The aircooled vanagons might be underpowered, but in my experience
they're easier to work on and cheaper to maintain the the WBXs. Run a
leak-down test on that motor to confirm its health, if it's OK then
bang out the dents and have it painted and throw a radio in it.
Unless there are structural issues you haven't told us about then it
should last long enough to justify the extra expense.

That's my $.02, YMMV.

Happy trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato**  LY3H
1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
http://www.busesofthecorn.com

On 18-Mar-06, at 12:21 PM, Wil Haslup wrote:

> I paid $450 for it as it had no power...replaced wire harness resistor
> after finding broken lead and it ran fine,...needed a some lower
> balljoints to pass MD inspection and I put about $1500 in it over 8-9
> years (3 CVs, gas tank, engine vacuum parts, 3 injectors, etc....paint
> is dead, some surface rust, some dings, some body damage in right rear
> wheel well into the rear of the sliding door...but door does function.
>
> No radio, horn doesn't work, glass is all good...seems to be some idle
> issue until it's good and warm and may be running rich....been told it
> has low compression but I think it was just gunk in the valve seats.
> Tagged and driven but with current need of rear brake cylinder and
> probably needs clutch slave replaced/rebuilt.
>
> So what is a thing worth when you tire of the battle and long for
> finding something in better overall shape?  Good for parts van or as a
> work truck for someone willing to put a few $ and time into it.
>
> Haven't decided yet...just gauging options.
>
>
> --
>
> Wil
>
> "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
> -- Mark Twain
>
>