Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 23:50:27 -0800
Reply-To: Jonathan Lee <jrlee@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan Lee <jrlee@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
Subject: Reaching the end . . .
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello list.
Well, my long, hard decision-making process is nearing an end.
I managed to get an old '78 Plymouth Voyager van to start today, and drove it
around a few blocks. It's cheap ($300), and will definitely sputter its way to
Vallejo this weekend for a harpsichord-moving gig. I've bought myself some time.
Now, to decide about the Vanagon. All things considered, I still want the damn
thing (I'm a masochist, I'll admit). I took the vehicle to a mechanic today, whose
diagnosis was as follows:
-- Pressure check: OK
-- Needs new thermostat
-- Needs new right-rear C/V axle (drive axle) -- biggie: $250
-- Needs new gaskets (didn't understand which ones) -- cheap (forgot exact figure)
-- Needs coolant change (it's time for one)
-- Needs new rear tires
-- Direct quote: "It has a good chance of running for a year with no serious
problems. However, knowing Vanagons, that's ALL it will run for without work."
All-in-all, the mechanic wants $800 for the work (there are a few things not
included in the above list, such as oil change . . .). I can probably get that
down a little ($150-$200, probably), and can possibly talk my seller down a bit
from his $1800 request. If the van really will run for a year without any further
serious repairs, it might be a good thing to own.
So, my options are down to these three scenarios:
1.) Buy the Vanagon.
2.) Buy the Plymouth AND the Vanagon. Do nothing to the Plymouth, fix the
Vanagon. That way, if either one of them is a mistake, I've got another
harpsichord-schlepping vehicle.
3.) Buy the Plymouth and use it only for harpsichord moving. Buy another
(non-Vanagon) vehicle for everyday commuting. Perhaps the earlier-mentioned '67
Beetle (at least it's a VW -- would it be reliable? The owner says it is. . . But
*she's* selling the thing) or perhaps something more like a mid-'80s Subaru or
Honda.
Anybody have any final suggestions?
best,
Jon
---
Jonathan Rhodes Lee
jrlee@mailandnews.com
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