Date:         Fri, 28 Apr 2000 09:12:40 -0800
Reply-To:     Kate Williams <kateland@PTIALASKA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kate Williams <kateland@PTIALASKA.NET>
Subject:      What should I Buy?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
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I have a 13 month old son and am expecting twins in October.  I am the
stay at home dad and we
are going to need a new car to haul the kids around in.  The subaru is
just not going to be big
enough.

We are looking at getting a minivan of some kind.  The wife is leaning
toward somthing newer
but I am not sure that I want something that I cant work on.  I am no
expert but enjoy working
on cars.  I have always wanted a vw bus.  Also the small Alaska
town(Cordova) that we live in
has only a few mechanics and they always rip you off.

There is a 79 bus for sale for $600.  I took it for a test spin
tonight.  Some rust.  Sounded
and ran good but what do I know.  Somekinda brake problem going on.
Sticking or catching??
Leaking some oil on the left side when I got back from my 20 minute
drive.  Engine looks clean
from top but there is oil all over on the bottom.

Question?

What else should I look at?
Should I buy it?
Would you drive your 3 kids around in it?
Would we be better off getting a newer van?
How do VW Vans do in the winter?  I hear not so good.
This is one of my main conserns (Winter driving).
OUr subaru does great and it is nice to have in out weather.
Would a newer vanogon with 4WD be better?
And I might get linched but what about those 4WD toyota vans?

Thanks for any advice,

John
kateland@ptialaska.net