Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 11:08:07 -0700
Reply-To: psavage <psavage@PACIFIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: psavage <psavage@PACIFIC.NET>
Subject: Why I LOVE My Westy
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Greetings List,
I'm having a *very busy summer, so haven't been
much of a presence since my return from Mexico
this year, but I've got to jump start this thread!
NOTHING beats a Westy for economical, stealth
travel/camping. And they're truly comfortable for
long distance driving. I've put in many long days,
including one insane 18 hour stretch, with no pain.
Driven a reasonable speed with a leisurely attitude,
they handle beautifully for the brick-shaped, roomy,
stealth RV's they are. And I can even make a sharp
U-turn in a narrow cobblestone street barely wide
enough for a donkey cart!
(I consistently get over 19 mpg.)
So far, I've logged over 30,000 miles within Mexico,
pulling steep grades & altitudes up to 13,000 feet,
pothole-filled two lane highways, cactus-strewn rocky
tracks, hard-packed beach sand--the whole enchilada.
(On Kirkland Signature lite truck, no less!)
On freeways, my van is downright frisky in the rubber
necker's lane--with enough oomph to pass judiciously.
You've got to work *with the Vanagon's limitations!
(Do so & you'll be blessed with lower bloodpressure
& a better attitude.)
All Vanagons might have been created equal, but they
don't END UP up that way! Key to a good dependable
Vanagon is buying the right one to begin with--& maintaining
it appropriately. Alas, Vanagons are not Toyotas.
But despite their limitations, I wouldn't have anthing else
for long distance adventure travel & daily driving thru
the redwoods hauling groceries, plywood, & beehives.
This winter in Mexico was the first of three the Mexicali
Rose had *any problem--all were minor: a corroded
relay fan switch (quickly jury-rigged), a sticky speedo fixed
with a shot of WD-40 under the dash, & a leaky overlow
pipe.
(This O-ring repair under a roadside shadetree cost me only
$20 US & a pleasant two hour delay.)
Yes, I carry a *few spare parts beyond the obvious belts,
flares & fuses: water pump, fuel pump, & replacement tail
light assemblies.
It's GOOD this discussion's come up: veteran Vanagon
owners must be *honest about these van's limitations!
Too many starry-eyed novices rush to buy *bargain vans,
only to discover it wasn't the bargain they'd hoped. It's
a fact that Vanagons have a well deserved reputation for
being undependable.
But it *is possible to buy & maintain a good one that will
give many years of dependable service.
(Like with dogs, there are no bad Vanagons, only bad
Vanagon owners.)
My (single PO) van had 190,000 original miles & a recent
engine replacement three years ago when I bought it. It ran
well & looked immaculate inside & out: obviously the PO
had done things right!
Despite this, I knew I'd put money into it *immediately--
& did so. I wanted a dependable vehicle. In two years,
I've put $5,000 into my van--near what I'd paid: This was
expected. All these repairs/part replacements were made
preemtively--I don't WAIT for a break down, for despite
this there are bound to be a few anyway.
So don't kid yourself:
If you want a dependable Vanagon you have to invest up
front. That's reality. If more folks understood this there'd
be fewer disappointments.
(OK, my next statement might spark flames, but so what?)
In my opinion, a non-Westy just isn't worth the cost & hassle.
It's the Westy's comforts & design that make it all worth while.
Without the Westy, you'd be better off with another vehicle.
Meanwhile, keep changing the oil & (proper) filter religiously
every 3,000 miles!
Cheers,
Phaedra
'85 Westy "Mexicali Rose"
> "His first mistake was to leave home without a trailer full of tools, and
a
> rolling warehouse of parts to keep himself moving.">
>
>> Well, it's a perspective. Personally, I have mine because I like it. No
more
>> complicated than that and there is not other vehicle that meets my wants
and
>> needs better. Cult or no, I'm in!
>> Bob Stevens
>> '91 Westy
