Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 19:12:15 -0600
Reply-To: andrewbell <andrewbell@QWEST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: andrewbell <andrewbell@QWEST.NET>
Subject: How much longer?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"
I hope this isn't too long. Please read and respond if you have the
time.
I've been wrestling with the concept of selling and replacing my
Vanagon. I know, what the hell I I thinking? I'm thinking about two
points:
1. My '83.5 Van is aging. It is not nickel and diming me, but needs more
than periodic maintenance, that I gladly give it because I have this
weird bond to it. I enjoy working on this problems that arise to achieve
my vision of total Vanagon perfection which is a stock Van with some
minor updates. Pics of the Van in question are here:
http://www.bellfamilytree.org/vw
This point boils down to cash. I have about three grand invested in the
Van, and it has 176,000 miles on a stock 1.9. To obtain my idea of
Vanagon Zen, I would need a I4 conversion ($4,000), some minor body rust
repair ($1000) and a few interior repairs and updates ($500). Give or
take 10% either way for savings or nightmares. So in the end I may have
about $9000 into a great vehicle that can run for perhaps another 5
years?
2. I own a small business that could totally write off a new vehicle for
me, perhaps a '0? EuroVan? Yes, they cost ~$30000 for a new Van, but
nothing else for 10 years - theoretically.
One would benefit from the dependability and performance of a new Van
with a V6, or whatever, not to mention the safety features of ABS and
airbag protection. One would also see depreciation, but also no previous
ownership that didn't do things right the first time.
I'm not necessarily torn between the two, but am questioning investing
today in a Van of yesteryear. I won't say that the EuroVan idea is super
practical or thrifty, but neither is the maintenance of my beloved
Vanagon. If I did get one, I would probably have it for the next 10
years, so I would definitely have quality time with it ... or will VW
bag it, too, in favor of the new Micro bus? And if so, isn't' that a
good five years away?
You know the ins and outs of Vanagons better than anyone. More so than
VW, even. I'm not saying I'm going to bag the Vanagon, but I'm
questioning my faith in being able to provide for it in a manner that
would benefit the vehicle and my family. Have there been any other
mis-musings mentioned before? Anyone out there have a EuroVan? A new
one? Can anyone forward this to the EuroVan list for me, or send me
their address?
Thanks in advance -
AB
| 
