FIrst of all, I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my obvious
new guy question about whether or not to purchase this van.  I got a
lot of great info from several obviously knowledgeble people.  I'm not
going to buy this one, but I think that when I do buy I'll be making a
more informed decision.

Anyway, in one of the responses from t bill he says:

  From your description of
> yourself and what you currently own, it doesn't sound like you are
> mechanically inclined, therefore I suggest you pass.
> I could be wrong, of course, but that's my impression.

That wouldn't be an entirely inaccurate impression.  I've never spent
much time wrenching on cars and no one could really call me an auto
mechanic.  However, In general, I am fairly mechanically minded.  In
fact, it has always bothered me that I'm not more self reliant with
the care and feeding of motor vehicles, but I've usually owned cars
that require computer diagnostics.  So, part of my attraction to VW's
is everything I've heard about their user servicability.

THis leads me to the question--is this a good way to learn auto
mechanics?  Could I, a normally intelligent guy buy a van and with the
aid of a service manual, this list and some occasional help from a
competent but quirky local VW mechanic, learn how to upkeep my own van?

mac

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