When I bought mine, I did so knowing that to have it work better than a new
van I would need to spend money, but not nearly what I woulda spent on that
new van.....by about one quarter.  Now I wouldn't trade it for a
Sportmobile or a Sprinter....I made it work dependibly just the way I want
it....

  So if you do choose to buy an older used vehicle, you can spend some
money right away, addressing all it's old.vehicle issues, or wait and fix
stuff as it breaks.  I couldn't even fit a Sprinter inside to attempt a
repair, if those (owner repairs) don't void the warranty.
 On Jan 27, 2014 5:09 PM, "C B" <cunegonde.van.westfalia@gmail.com> wrote:

> I second the "paying for a used Westy is just the downpayment for extended
> maintainance costs"
>
> Only paid $600 for Cunegonde (and she ran for
> 200 miles until the waterpump,
> 750 miles until the c-pipe and O2 sensor,
> 1500 miles until the transmission,
> 1800 miles until the u-joints,
> 3k until the front wheel bearings and struts,
> 4k until 15" rims and Geolandar tires,
> 5k until the front heater fan and heat exchanger,
> 6k until new ignition switch,
> 10k until engine swap
>
> ...and we haven't even replaced the rear struts and bearings, accordioned
> bumpers, unspeakable headlights, or inadequate front brakes.
>