As I understand it, what you are looking for is a car that will be your
only vehicle.  Since that's the case, it must be completely reliable.

Under those conditions, I would recommend against your getting a Vanagon.
In fact, I would advise against getting any kind of motor vehicle
whatsoever.  I owned a bicycle shop for many years, and I have to tell you,
bicycles break sometimes, so that's out.  Horses get sick or lame
sometimes.  Dogsleds aren't too goo here in Arizona, and are seasonal in
most other parts of the country.  A canoe is a pretty reliable vehicle, as
long as the places you want to go are along a waterway -- again, not too
good here in Arizona.

I have an '81 Westie.  It's 17 years old, with about 120,000 miles on it.
Is it trouble free?  No.  On the other hand, during the past year it has
taken me on a lot of great camping trips, including 5000 miles to Key West
and back, and given no more trouble than any other car.  On the other hand,
a major part could give out tomorrow. (I have no plans to drive it today.)
Life's a crapshoot.

At 10:54 AM 7/15/98 -0400, you wrote:
>So far, I must admit I have not been too reassured.
>I gather that almost every Vanagon owner has other vehicles.
>Does any Vanagon owner trust it as their ONLY vehicle (as I would be
>doing)?

Bill (SE Arizona) (Bill@freeholder.com) HTTP://www.freeholder.com
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