my brother has a Chrysler mini van, he's now on his 7th transmission, roughly 200,000 miles

________________________________
 From: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2013 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: Camper van
 

Chevy Astros are bulletproof, I had 4 of them as v company vehicles from 1985 to 2010. Beat the living hell out of them and they just kept going. The previously mentioned Plymouth van was a poor choice. They were known for transmission failures, I've known owners that went through 2 or 3 transmissions. My current company car is a PT Cruiser. PT stands for "Piece of Trash". I'd never buy a Chrysler product!

Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>�  The GM Safari/Astro uses small truck chassis and drive line.�  Observe
>the next time you are driving around the number of old ones with tradsmen
>signage on the sides... and ladders, tools, parked behind service
>businesses, etc etc.� �  They seem to hold up just fine...Lot of ancient
>ones still in daily service as work trucks.�  That Previa?�  They are low
>power vehicles like a Vanagon and they have known issues, just like a
>Vanagon does...
>� Nothing is perfect.
>
>
>On Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 9:11 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Be aware of the reliability record of some of the so-called reliable van
>> alternatives. Some of the newer ones might make a good camper that is
>> reliable, but a few years back when my wife was looking for a minivan we
>> were amazed at the American passenger vans that had engines (which were
>> fine in the Chryslers but not the fords) and the transmissions (which were
>> not ok in any of them) designed and built for sedans. Problems, problems,
>> problems with most of them. We ended up with a Plymouth van that was
>> powerful enough--with a gasoline appetite to go with it--and a short-lived
>> funky transmission and inexplicable belt-throwing that happened at the
>> worst times.
>>
>> I just can't agree with the seller's statement that these cars, at least
>> the older ones, are all that problem free. And that does not even cover the
>> general poor quality of air handling stuff, knobs, switches, window motors
>> etc that seemed to plague nearly every older minivan we examined.
>>
>> Bought a prius, problem solved. But you can't camp in it : )
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 10:12 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>� � I, too, have done multiple home-made conversions.� I was planning on
>>> building my own interior in my 84 tin top Vanagon till I saw a complete
>>> Westie interior on Craigs List in a nearby town for just $200..I realized
>>> the wood and fixtures alone, to build my own camper,� would have cost at
>>> least that much.�  And the Westie interior was already fit and came with
>>> all the brackets and hardware� to mount it using existing (for the most
>>> part) factory mounting points.� It is quite time-consuming to build a van
>>> (or boat) interior, especially one with the professional-looking fit that
>>> the Westfalias have.� They're hard to beat.
>>>
>>>�  As mentioned in the ad, however, Vanagons have their limitations as a
>>> base vehicle...They're becoming quite expensive to buy lately, they're a
>>> bit down on power when stock and somewhat maintenance-intensive. While
>>> that
>>> Aerostar looks a bit 'over-done' with the exterior mods for aerodynamics
>>> and the paint, I have seen some very nice conversion vans on the 'small
>>> van' platform...often with a Country Homes-style pop top.
>>>
>>>� � The GM Safari/Astro AWD vans interest me a lot and can be found very
>>> frequently for under $1000.�  With a robust chassis and strong motors,
>>> these compare favorably with Syncros and have somewhat of a cult
>>> following,
>>> too.�  There are locking diffs available for these, limited slips, etc
>>> etc... and they are rated to tow large loads with a 6cyl GM motor.
>>>
>>>� The older Toyota Previas are also interesting.� These are Rear or AWD,
>>> available with a supercharger in some years and almost as unique looking
>>> as
>>> a Vanagon...but the Previa is not able to tow much more than a
>>> Vanagon...Cheap, though and a Toyota for dependable.
>>>
>>>� � Since I am again a working stiff (blue collar) and unlikely to find a
>>> Subie-Syncro or a supercharged Bostig that I can afford, my next van will
>>> likely be one of the above, probably the GM product because I do want a
>>> vehicle that will tow a substantial trailer and I do need 4wd for the
>>> shoulder seasons.
>>>
>>>� � A little pop top for standing room, a ladder rack for some cargo boxes
>>> and a bit of cabinetry inside and it won't be a VW, but it might do the
>>> job.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 11:11 PM, Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@turbovans.com
>>> >wrote:
>>>
>>> > Vanagons don't have to be expensive to acquire ( if one can work on them
>>> > and bring them back to health of course . )
>>> > I think in 10 vanagons I bought in the last few years, the most
>>> > expenisve one, running too, was an 85 Westy for $ 1,100.
>>> >
>>> > I really do like 'dorked up' vehicles..
>>> > and that Ford Aerostar fits in that.
>>> > Did ya'all notice the running shower on the rear hatch� ?
>>> >
>>> > I have an EGR cooler from a TDI ..
>>> > it's basically an exhaust-to-coolant heat exchanger..
>>> > figuring to use exhaust heat to heat water in an on-board hot water
>>> tank.
>>> >
>>> > Thinking about it I see that full time exhaust flow there wouldn't be
>>> > good ..
>>> > what can I use for an exhaust valve ? ..
>>> > hey ..an EGR valve if nothing else !
>>> >
>>> > Since I like to fabricate metal stuff ...
>>> > I feel fortunate to be re-doing the cut-out back end of a Sycro .
>>> > someone cut from inboard of the tail lights right on down ..
>>> > until that whole area was wide open.
>>> >� I have that all structurally filled in now ..
>>> > and it turns out that a sliding door track cover piece of body work is a
>>> > near 'fitter' to fill in between the tail lights....but lower some, so
>>> > the coolant bottles are accessible and visible in the remaining gap
>>> > above that piece.
>>> >
>>> > I'll try to do some theSamba pics.
>>> > I also like chartreuse green and gray together ....like that Ford
>>> > Aerotstar Van has ...what fun !
>>> >
>>> > if anyone read this far, thnx for indulging me !
>>> > lol.
>>> > S.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On 10/19/2013 10:56 PM, Miguel Pacheco wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Where's the 'love' button. I admire this guy's spirit. I get lots of
>>> >> interest in my vans, but discouraged responses when they learn the
>>> price.
>>> >> I
>>> >> just tell them that if they want to get out, there are cheaper
>>> >> alternatives. Hell, load a pop up sleeper on� your Legacy, throw your
>>> gear
>>> >> in and get on with it. Thumbs up!
>>> >>
>>> >> Miguel
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 8:56 PM, Rob <vwrobb@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>� I liked the last line in the ad, "Like a Volkswagon bus, but reliable
>>> >>> and goes uphill ".
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Rob
>>> >>> vwrobb@gmail.com
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> At� 10/19/2013 09:25 PM, Project Pat wrote:
>>> >>>
>>> >>>� Sorry, I missed Friday, but this is too good..
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>> http://tampa.craigslist.org/****pnl/cto/4137545033.html<
>>> http://tampa.craigslist.org/**pnl/cto/4137545033.html>
>>> >>>> <http:/**/tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/**4137545033.html<
>>> http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4137545033.html>
>>> >>>> >
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>>
>>
>>