I don't see any reason, other than the auto manufacturer's lobby and our
government, that we can't keep Vanagons viable until the last fossil fuel
is gone...I mean, the basic chassis should last if it isn't in a super
salty road state for it's whole life.    They'll probably legislate us off
the road soon....They are already doing that with diesel trucks (big rigs)
in some states...Older ones not allowed....gotta buy a new one....

 It certainly seems like you'd have better value if you simply 'revise' the
Vanagon continually rather than keep starting over with  brand new
vehicles,  for a big price.  Vehicles  that are now configured to make
money for the car manufacturers and their dealers....with 'required'
service, extra fee for warranty, remove the motor to change the spark
plugs, dealer-exclusive service ports, etc etc
.
   You could build a pretty effective (and attractive) Vanagon for $85
grand or whatever an Airstream Sprinter must cost.....and if you put that
kinda money in your Vanagon, it would be something you know would
last...you could make it really pretty stout and efficient for that money
and use all the best parts...Then, in ten or 15years, when your Dodge or
Mercedes chassis camper was ready for replacement again at another $100k
(inflation)....you could again rework your antique Vanagon with that kinda
dough and again, do better than buying from the showroom floor...

   That being said, I'd like one of those Nissans..I have owned that brand
in the past and they are dead-nuts dependable.   I've see some older
Canadian diesel ones I like and the newer 1/2 ton(?) ones I see more of
lately look a lot more appropriate for an everyday driver than the big
sprinter ones...Since I am just a worker, I haven't looked seriously at
what is really offered ....
  Happy friday

On Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> HI Dave..
> I believe in a whole other philosophy.
>  I also just *love* preserving things, treating and preventing rust
> ....fixing things ..
> like 'working a vanagon, or 'one's vanagon' is not a bad thing .
> or something to be avoided to do 'when you have to ' ..it's a fun
> rewarding thing to do. .
>