And for those of us to whom a vehicle is simply a utilitarian device, one that requires all that (or not even all that) to keep it going is no longer utilitarian.  I keep mine because I haven't found an alternative I can accept.  I want one the same size, same camping capability, small engine, reasonable fuel efficiency, that I can use without having to constantly work on it, hire work on it, be concerned about getting stuck out in the boonies.  The fact that this one is a VW, or that there is romance attached to them ............. .  And certainly, I would not prefer to have the romance of breakdowns in the middle of no where.

One thing I definitely have learned on this list.  What some like about the Vanagon is constantly working on it.  For them, what other reason is there to have a vehicle?

mcneely

---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> With proper care almost any vehicle can be kept "forever". The key is cost
> effectiveness. At some point you also have to consider obsolescence.
> The Vanagon is unique in its size and functional capabilities but was
> already obsolete as they were even being introduced. Let's face some facts.
> They couldn't sell these things to the general public then. I purchased my
> Syncro Westy in February 1988. It was sitting on the dealer's lot since
> September 1987. They dropped the price $6K and helped me finance it. They
> were really anxious to see it go.
>
> One has to really consider the total cost of ownership on both a cost per
> mile and cost per year especially with labor rates pushing $100/hr plus.
> While an engine or transmission replacement may not justify replacing a
> vehicle either of these repairs is often just a beginning. With today's low
> interest rates many vehicles can be had for reasonable monthly costs. Foe
> those that want/need to go the RV camping route the interest on those loans
> is even tax deductible. A $3,000 transmission-clutch job is really
> $300/month for a year. More if you have to use a credit card to pay for it.
> Next there will be that engine work, water pump, suspension, etc. This is
> why many people lease. Bring it home, use it and return it before that first
> major repair. Heck, let it go before it even needs tires or brakes.
>
> In our group the survivors are those that learn to do most work on their own
> or partner with a mechanic-shop willing to work cheap. We don't even want to
> pay normal prices for our parts. Unfortunately most of the quality OEM parts
> are becoming nonexistent because no one wanted to pay for them.  Original
> exhaust and rear brakes shoes are just 2 examples.
>
> As for obsolescence, our vehicles make more pollution then most, have few
> passive safety systems, and awful heating/ventilation/air conditioning
> systems. Most all have been modified in some way.
>
> As for me, I am addicted. Even though I have an RV, FUN BUS is going no
> where. It has been at my brother's place for over a year for Body and paint
> work. It is looking real good. I am upgrading the tires/wheels again. Adding
> the front big brake kit. When it comes home I will be repairing the tranny
> again(4th time) and rebuilding the suspension. I expect that after all this
> the engine has to say no more but I will try to push it to at least 275K and
> if still going maybe 300K. It also needs the front engine pipe and a
> muffler. VW will be supplying the muffler under their lifetime warranty.  Oh
> and the viscous coupling has seen better days. Last time I drove it in snow
> there was very little push to the front wheels.
>
> I won't even start talking about the 87 passenger Syncro.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Don Hanson
> Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2013 1:33 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Beyond Vanagon
>
>    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. .
> >

--
David McNeely