Pat,

FLAPS= Friendly Local Auto Parts Store. The first time I knew of this
expression was on this very list. We don't use it where I live either-
however, it takes less keystrokes to type.

If you hadn't seen last message, it said to please ignore my previous
posting on this thread. I mistakenly thought it was about Vanagons,
instead of the EV. On a larger mailing list, when you screw up, the
whole world knows! My bad. :(

Best regards,
Sam

---Patrick Dooley <pdooley@gte.net> wrote:
>
> kinda off the subject, but what the hell does "FLAPS" mean?  Being in
> Florida, I haven't heard that expression used.  We have discount
auto parts
> here.>"DAPS"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Sunday, March 01, 1998 6:59 PM
> Subject: Re: Exhaust systems
>
>
> >---Austin <austins@IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >> At 08:54 AM 2/28/98 -0800, you wrote:
> >> >Well here goes -- another can of worms to open.
> >> >
> >> >The local Midas shop will build a sytem up for about $500 ($350
US)
> >and give
> >> >me a "lifetime warranty.
> >> >
> >> >I like the warranty on the Midas system BUT if aftermarket stuff
> >degrades
> >> >performance I don't want it!
> >> >Rick
> >> >
> >> My miserable experience with Midas is read the fine print - sure,
> >they'll
> >> warranty the muffler, but *not* the labor, incredibly expensive
> >support
> >> brackets, etc etc etc.  A $200 job on a Rabbit had ~ $30 warranty
on
> >the
> >> muffler only!!!
> >>
> >> Austin
> >>
> >
> >
> >That's why you only go to Midas for the muffler. Been there, done
> >that. *****:(
> >
> >What you can do to remedy the problem is:
> >
> >1.) Unless they're in good shape, get the manifolds, side-pipe, and
> >gaskets from an indie VW parts dealer who's cool enough to have
> >Wasserboxer parts, but not after you've shopped around between them
> >and mail-order places like the Bus Depot, who might have a better
> >deal. If you're lucky like me, there will be at least one FLAPS that
> >has a Volkswagen section. In my case, it's an Advance Auto Parts
store
> >on the edge of town that has way better prices and service than the
VW
> >people. Your parts are warrantied there, too. Save the CAT unless you
> >can't.
> >
> >2.) Replace the stuff behind the CAT yourself, or get a friend to
do it.
> >
> >3.) Listen to the bus. Still noisy?
> >
> >4.) Go to Midas for the muffler. Insist on just the muffler and
> >tailpipe. By this point, you KNOW your stuff ahead of the muffler is
> >in good shape, so if the Midas guy tries to bulls#!t you into
buying a
> >converter or complete system, be an @sshole- drive your noisy bus to
> >the Midas across town. My folks found a Midas shop with good people.
> >
> >As the cost of the system is in the non-muffler items, that is where
> >you must shop frugally. Legally, Midas has to make good on their
> >warranty, because they advertise it. I've been to Midas, so I know
> >what it's like. They have their place in the world...
> >
> >My $0.02
> >
> >Sam
> >=
> >"Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)"
> >_________________________________________________________
> >DO YOU YAHOO!?
> >Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>

_________________________________________________________
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