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Date:         Wed, 24 Jan 2001 15:29:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Bill Kasper <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Kasper <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Which Vanagon to get?
In-Reply-To:  <003e01c0865c$05639760$6401a8c0@blazenet.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

on 1/24/01 3:18 PM, Chris Tucci at ctucci@CUSTOMBLENDS.COM wrote:

> Re: Which Vanagon/and the reliability issue: > > They are expensive to repair if you're going to a VW shop. Case in point, > an unstable idle in my 85 1.9l was caused by a bad throttle body. The pin > that holds the valve had worn out at it's base, so the valve couldn't secure > properly, allowing excess air in and confusing the computer. > > I'm not a mechanic, so I took it to a place I trusted. A new throttle body > can run $800.00. Before the mechanic touches your vehicle. > > Some facts though: My 85 ran me 3500. Reasonably new engine, but done by a > shadetree mech who had a lot of "spare parts left over". After the > inevitable used car initial purchase/troubleshooting on the van of about 1k > or so, it ran us all around Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana for 5 years, though > with that unstable idle. > > Got sick of the idle running high, so after moving I took it to Lehmann's in > Bechtelsville. They found a used Tbody for about 100.00 with a warranty. > They also found all of the spare vacuum line parts not reinstalled at > rebuild, and went through the motor with a fine toothed comb, adjusting > everything as they went. That ran me a little over 800. > > So, I've spent about 5k - 6k dollars for the vehicle, with the > aforementioned repairs. But this is for six years of use! And after this > recent tweak, I still don't have a lot tied up in a van that should quite > easily run me another 30-50k if I keep the oil fresh. > > The van is huge inside, safe, drives like a dream. I can do 70 all day > long, (except up steeper hills) my inverter keeps the kids happy, and at > over 6', I have the driver seat room that's becoming increasingly rare. > > It would be very difficult to find this type of comfort, room and utility in > a vehicle I would consider reliable for under 10k. Which is my .02!

chris, after reading some of the latest posts i was beginning to wonder about the true "cost of ownership" of a vanagon. i wrenched my '62 valiant for three years, keeping it running, changing the oil, working on the brakes, changing the wiring (running new wires for radio and speakers), etc. nothing anyone couldn't do. but these recent posts had me concerned if i am buying into something i will have to babysit more than my kid!

so, thank you. your comments are well-received and appreciated. i will continue our search. hopefully we can find a westy that offers us the same or better cost:use.

cheers! bill hoping to hear tonight about that '85 westy


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