See, to me, the story below tells a different story, not one of an unworthy
vehicle, but one that is trying to protect its owner. Why did the tranny die
24 hours before vacation? It knew it had a problem and was trying to get the
needed attention. And rather than leave its owner stranded halfway through
the vacation, warned them of the problem.  Would other makes do this? I
think not. It all goes back to Herbie the Love Bug.VWs have a personallity,
they are 'alive'!

Wishing it was Friday

Dave
86 Vanagon GL

susan hafler wrote:

> >ELUSIVE VW "KARMA"!
>
> i feel uniquely qualified to answer this, given that i'm entering week 5
> of the tranny rebuild from hell... surely everyone on this list knows my
> story but it's so therapeutic to talk about it, please indulge me. my
> tranny died 24, yes, 24 hours before i was to leave on a three-month
> vacation out west. and due to lots o' interesting complications, i
> haven't left yet.
>
> but i gotta say, fellow listees, that i still LOVE my van, magnus. she's
> cute, she's got style, she speaks to that part of me that appreciates
> having my bedroom, living, kitchen, dining room and basement and at
> least two of my favorite mountain biking friends -- and our stuff --
> along for the ride. i've thought about getting another vehicle, but at
> this stage in the game, magnus and i are PFL (partners for life). i may
> get a slightly more fuel-efficient, low(er) maintenance car later in
> life, but my van and i are in it for the long haul.
>
> in retrospect, had i known about the expense and potential frequency of
> repairs that accompany vanagons, i may have held onto my 90 honda civic
> wagon for a little while longer. but, well, i'd just paid it off and it
> was time to buy the vehicle i'd really wanted when i bought the honda.
>
> phew, i feel better.
>
> susan and magnus (87 synchro gl) in durham, nc
> yes, we're still here
>
> i actually
> >This is a subject that deserves a thread.
> >
> >How about the feeling that the van will leave you stranded when you are
> >going to look at the van that might replace it.
> >
> >Or how you have unbreakable plans to go to Illinois and three days
> before
> >the steering rack fails on a van you only paid $2000 for to begin with.
> >that is how they stay alive.
> >
> >seth gordon
> >84 WLE
> >
> >
>
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