on 1/23/07 10:59 PM, Richard A Jones at jones@COLORADO.EDU wrote:

> The air cooled let you travel without paranoia.... I'd jump
> in my '81 and head anywhere.  With my '87, I take it to the
> mechanic, check it out, head out worrying--but have always
> made it home fine.  Maybe I read this list too much!  ;-)

I guess it's all in perception.
My 81 with only 88K almost always caused me pause and I really wasn't
comfortable on trips over an hour from home. I did a few and was constantly
on guard for the next shoe to drop.  But, boy oh boy, I was sold on the
body, drivability and utility.

In my WC vans I have crossed the continent and covered the length of the
right coast; climbing mountain passes with the semis and sailing down the
other sides with glee.

That doesn't mean that I don't "listen" to the van.  I don't know any long
term VW van owner who doesn't.  Maybe we become more wary as our rides age.

YMMV.

Double nickels and feel like I'm in my 30's!

Stephen Steele
Chillicothe OH
'89 Westy no name yet
'73 Sportsmobile Pop Top...  Creamsicle?
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"... FS on the Samba
'90 Carat      "Parts"
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
'91 Jetta Diesel   My daily driver  STOLEN 10-12-06
'00 Jetta TDi new daily driver
'02 Jetta Wagon VR6  Wife's car
Ex Vans/VWs:
'81 Vanagon  from 1985-1990
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz" 2000-2004 now with Son #1
'87 Westfalia  "Franz" 2002-2005  now with Son #2
'88 Jetta GL  1990-1992
'92 Jetta GL  1992-1998
'90 Jetta     1999-2003
'81 Rabbit diesel   1999-2003
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U.  1999-2004