> So what's the bottom line - will I ever be able to
> truly relax and have miles of trouble and worry free
> driving, or is something always gong to need fixing?
>

Well...I'd say what happens eventually is you get to a point where it's a
little of both. In the beginning, pretty much everyone gets a little
panicked by all the money they end up throwing down the rathole just to turn
a typical (ab)used into a trustworthy vehicle. I dumped 7 or 8 thousand in
parts alone into mine within the first year (most of that was the Boston Bob
engine). I may have gone a little overboard, but I figured since I was
saving so much money doing all the labor myself... Anyway, it sounds like
you've got most of the major showstoppers taken care. I know I haven't spent
more than maybe fifty bucks on NECESSARY repairs since I got it on the road
last Ocober, and I drove it all the way to Utah and back (including through
the Mojave desert in 105degF heat) last month without a single incident.
True, I worried all the way, but that's largely just my nature. I would have
no problem driving it anywhere now.
But then again, there does always seem to be One More Thing. Last week I
came out to find a small puddle of brake fluid under my right rear tire. The
brake cylinder is leaking. It's only like a $12 part, being the same as used
on every late model beetle and bus, but still it's One More Thing.

Of course it's always easier to not worry when you've got dull, dependable
car to fall back on when the Vanagon needs something. I have a 94 Honda
Civic. I hate it because its a noisy, uncomfortable, soulless roller skate,
but it never needs any repair and it get 30mpg.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"