Having my fill of dishonest mechanics is what made me start learning
about the cars I own. I was ripped off enough times to finally make me
see the light. I learned that the cost of tools that I could
permanently own more than justified not  having to deal with
mechanics. Slowly but surely, starting with minor repairs, I learned
from books and other DIYers to get by. I don't have any idea how much
cash I've saved over the years but I'm sure it's considerable (I only
wish I had actually "saved" it!!) I would never consider having my
vehicles repaired at a dealer. I purchased my vanagon from a dealer
and it's the last they've seen of me except for the few parts I've
been unable to find through list parts vendors. I continue to work on
and drive a Vanagon because it's an awesome car. I can carry lumber,
appliances, and all sorts of large items, not to mention a busload of
friends when needed. I can go camping on weekends. I can take off to
the park at lunchtime and catch a nap if I want. It's my living room
on  wheels.

Today I'm lucky enough to know a honest mechanic who I  rely on when I
cannot do a job myself. He's South African and knowledgable when it
comes to Vanagons. He's done minor fixes on my car for free. I just
had my Jetta in with him last week for a new A/C compressor. Rather
than just tell me it needed replacing, he tried to rebuilt it himself
so I could save a little money! I don't think I'd ever get that kind
of service from a dealer...no, I wouldn't even try. My advice is to
learn all you can. Fix your own things for the most part and when you
find an honest person, stick with them. Am I that attached to VW's?
I've owned two and yes, I do enjoy them, but I can't say I'd buy one
again. Just don't like what they're making these days.  Maybe if they
come out with another van that's under 30 grand, maybe,  but otherwise
I can't say I'm that enamored with VW any more.
Just my 2 cents...

On 9/10/07, joel walker <jwalker17@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > I quote
> >
> > I am a mechanic at a VW dealership, TRUST ME. you do not want a
> > vanagon, we
> > will not even take them in to work on!! I heartily recommend either
> > buying
> > an asian or domestic van, or holding out until "Project M"- our new
> > minivan
> > arrives next year as a 2008.
>
>
> my question is, with appologies in advance to any real dealership
> mechanics on the list, is ...
>
> would you, as a vanagon owner, believe ANYthing that a dealership
> service department personnel tells you?
>
> i've been driving (and fiddling/working/tinkering on) vw buses now for
> 37 years ... since i got out of the army in 1970. vanagons for 28 of
> those years  or whatever math it makes from december 1979. :)
>
> and quite frankly, i've yet to run across a vw dealership person who
> knew ANYthing about vanagons, much less how to fix them.
>
> just because someone is a vw dealership mechanic does NOT mean he
> knows how to fix ANYthing. he could be the lowest totem on the pole,
> and get all the oil changes dumped on him (cause the more senior
> mechanics grab all the high-paying jobs so they can maintain their
> lifestyles).
>
> and if the dealerships had known anything about vanagons, we wouldn't
> have needed to create this mailing list!!!
>
> in my damnably humble opinion!
> unca joel
>