Good stuff, volks!  Any vehicle is just an appliance that MUST be maintained.  Older ones just need more diligence to stay as reliable as new.  If that's not your bag, then don't ever drive anything that's still under a full warrantee..... 

John Muir said something like "Be kindly to your ass, for it bears you...."

Mike B.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Matt Thyer 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 7:19 PM
  Subject: Re: Solution to Reliability Problem

  The funny thing is, you're taking your chances and gambling regardless of
  what you drive.

  http://tinyurl.com/yc2fvey

  I find a modicum of comfort in the fact that when I open the bonnet on my VW
  I will look down and am greeted with, regardless of if they're all working
  or not, a collection of systems I can clearly understand and manipulate.
  I've owned a 2001 Eurovan Weekender.  When you popped the hood on that baby
  your eyes would fall on yet another hood.  One could add washer fluid and
  check the level on the power steering fluid, but not much else.  That
  machine wasn't really mine yet it was equally risky to run.

  Machines fail, that's just how things work.  It's our attitude regarding
  those machines that ultimately make the most difference when we consider
  their utility.  Highly recommend this book:

  http://tinyurl.com/pfqj78

  HTH,

  MT

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
  Jeff Lincoln
  Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 3:09 PM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: Re: Solution to Reliability Problem

  Therefore I take my chances and gamble what I am willing to.