Theres much in what  yoiu say. Most don't realize that the cost of
maintaining the older vehicle is comparable to the cost of paying for a
newer vehicle. It's just buried expense on the newer machine - and you
don't have the time spent either waiting on repairs at a shop or doing
it yourself. For many, that is what they are paying for in a newer
vehicle - the convenience of not being inconvenienced with repair and
maintenance issues.

One thing - when you begin to compare the price of a comparable new
vehicle(as comparable to the Vanagon as one can get - since there is
nothing out there quite like them) vs the cost of maintenance of a "paid
for" Vanagon for the same period - it is more likely that one is way
ahead of the game with the Vanagon. $250/month in car payments on a new
car vs $250/month into a paid-for Vanagon for maintenance and upkeep  in
a years time, amounts to a lot of upgrading of the vehicle. In the end
one could have a really spiffy Vanagon at that rate.

John
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On 6/20/2013 10:41 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
> I think sometimes folks get involved with Vanagons who aren't fully prepared for the ongoing costs and constant challenges of owning an old vehicle and trying to depend on it (get the best towing package you can find!).