Date:         Fri, 21 Apr 2000 09:38:34 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Love
In-Reply-To:  <000301bfab1a$760e20c0$120aa8c0@spanlink.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I've had my '82 Westy for over 3 years now.  I even sold my beloved '74
Ghia so that the wife would allow her in the driveway.  I have had a few
issues in the last 50,000 miles with her, but most were expected for a
vehicle that now has over 250,000.  I've camped in the van over 50 times in
the last 3 years, have added the following:
CB
Amateur Radio (yes I have both, ever try raising help on 2M in the middle
of no-where?)
new A/C system
camp batteries
D/C to A/C inverter
A/C to D/C power supply
Solar Panels
TV
roof rack
oscillating fan
fog lamps
seats with arm rests (not available in '82, but the best addition to date!)
carb (I hate F.I., but that's just me)
high performance exaust
boat-loads of camping equipment
CD player
decent speakers
and the list goes on...

She has been a money pit at times, but just when I think how much she has
costed me, I look at what my '82 626 used to cost:
Westy: new engine $1600 via help from list
626: new engine via Mazda $2600

Westy: Brakes $300
626: $700

Westy: Clutch $75
626: $320 at time of engine swap

Westy : Suspension work $125
626: $970

As you can see this is not a scientific example.  The only point I'm trying
to  make is that I've owned much worse money pits than my westy.  Plus, no
other car has inspired the love my family has for TURD.  All in all, I
wouldn't trade the old gal for the world, well.. maybe for a syncro westy
loaded with spare parts on a strait-up trade.. but we all have dreams:-)

Chris Smith
Keeper of the TURD