Michael -

I have very fond memories of a spring break trip my girlfriend and I took
in my 70 loaf when I was 20. This was in 1980 or so. We headed down from
Atlanta to watch the space shuttle launch (#2, I believe), then headed for
Daytona beach for a week of kids gone wild. We did all the things that 20
year olds do in vans and came home unscathed. The van did fine too. I do
remember all of the stuff I had to do to that van to get it ready like
brakes, heads, a piston or two, steering damper, fuel lines, tires, etc.
It actually took several months of preparation and an allocation of scarce
cash. Making that trip was the goal all along. We did a couple more spring
break road trips in that van over the next two years, too.

It pains me to say this, but I think you made the right choice. The
difference is that it was my own van and I had a put lot of sweat and
effort into making it run. I'm not too sure if your son would agonize over
every strange noise your van made or take the time to check things. Then
there's the issue of the 5 buddies along for the ride - that one will be
trouble for sure.

My $.02

Walter
85 Vanagon