This is the reality of the "old car hobby".  I've been restoring MGBs since
the '80s, and now Vanagons officially qualify as old car hobby vehicles as
well.  You either have the skills to fix them yourself, or you have the
money to pay someone else to do it, and repeatedly.  I think the hobby is
over for anything built after about 1995 due to the exponential increase in
complexity since then.  Modern vehicles simply will become impossible to
repair at some point.  Do you think the Prius will be an "old car hobby" in
20 years?  Imagine working on an old car where 250 volts can be shorted out
with your misplaced wrench while you fiddle with the hybrid drive system. 

Both Vanagons and MGBs are simple vehicles, have lots of affordable parts
(and engine options) available, and that's what makes the hobby possible.  

Buyer beware, and enjoy the hobby while you can, it can be very satisfying.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Koerner
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 7:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Purchase price is just the down payment

"Keep in mind my theory of the purchase price is just the down
payment."� --� Dennis Haynes

Dennis, please keep knocking this truth into our heads from time to time,
thank you!!� It seems about every 2 weeks or so, when I am on some Vanagon
outing, I will get admiration and envy from a bystander about Vanagons.� I
tell them, yes they are so cool...but...I try in 5 or 10 minutes to explain
that they are 20-25 years old or more, they are not a "normal" car like a
Honda or Toyota, that it may take lots of love and long-suffering and
frustration and education and dollars for it to all to come
together......and on and on. 

I think GoWesty understands and has dialed in on this concept.� That's why
they go from bottom to top on those vehicles, and there is undeniably a
market out there willing to pay what it really takes to turn a "vintage"
vehicle into a reliable "modern" vehicle.� For a price.� Not everybody is a
backyard mechanic which these Vanagons need no matter how gentle you are
with them....eventually mechanical things wear out...and then what?� For
mechanically-inclined or even sort of (like me)....not too big of a problem
(with help from AAA).� For civilians used to "normal" modern vehicles....big
problem.

Anyway, that advice about "purchase price" is just so plain useful....love
it when I hear it especially from a guy who knows what he's talking
about...brings reality home.

Rich
San Diego