Hi Volks,

Here in Canada, The insurance companies managed to successfully lobby
for a law introducing a requirement for all new vehicles to now be
equipped with a theft-deterrent system.  That means that a new "smart-
chipped" key for your ignition now costs $120 at the dealer, and you
can't get one elsewhere. Replacing an ignition system costs over a
grand!

Nobody asked *me* if I wanted a $200 keychain with my latest company
car.(2005 Malibu)  Replacement keys for my Baywindow or Dad's
vanagons are still less than $10 each.

Sure, you get what you pay for... the problem is that we are getting
a lot of extras we didn't ask for and can't say no to.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
www.pottsfamily.ca
www.busesofthecorn.com

On 8-Apr-07, at 5:16 PM, Kim Brennan wrote:

> I'm not being a nay sayer, I'm being a realist. The Loaf and Vanagon
> were good for their era. The fact that they can continue to be
> reliable 20-30 years later, says a lot about their initial design.
>
> But the market and vehicle requirements have changed. Maybe for the
> worse, but those are requirements that have been imposed upon us by
> politicians. Those politicians responded to constituent demands and
> lobbying efforts.
>
> You get what you pay for.