Hi everybody,

Last week, I posted a long message called "potential new vanagon owner"
where I obviously displayed signs of acute vanagonitis.  I cured it by the
only means possible:  I bought a plane ticket and flew from Durham NC to
Memphis TN, paid asking price for a neglected and very used Vanagon; and,
drove it 700 miles home (in one day).  It took 2.5 tanks of gas and a whole
quart of oil.  I also had to wear hearing protection because the air
conditioner didn't work, and the muffler had been replaced with a free-flow
"sport tube."  (Question:  Why isn't there a 5th gear?  There seemed to be
plenty of torque in the 2.1l to handle it.  70 mph equated to 4000 rpm!
For 13 hours!)  It is at a vanagon.com-recommended shop right now getting
lots of attention, and the repair price will be more than half of my
purchase price.  The interior is shot -- the P.O. had 3 kids, who broke all
of the cupholders, two of the front armrests, and the plastic seat adjust
handles.  The carpet and seats are filthy, and will require much elbow
grease to return them to acceptable condition.  Now, I know why this one
was priced so much lower than its competition.  However, even with all of
the work and money ahead of me to bring this vehicle back to an appreciated
state, I am still in love!  It was incredibly fun to drive, and I really
appreciate all of the help and advice that I have received from this list.
It will make a great addition to our family!

Michael Townsend
townsend@rtp.ericsson.se

P.S.  The highlight of my trip was when I casually waved to a Westfalia
driver approaching from the other direction -- and he waved back!