Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Fri, 23 Aug 2002 06:35:10 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: But My Van Isn't Worth That Much!!
Comments: To: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I figured out long ago that the worth of my van in only in it's value to me. I'm willing to put up with it's crankiness, peculiarities, stange maintenance problems, etc, because of it's unique service that I like, that no other van on the market today provides to meet my needs. Most Americans today want a "Jump in and drive", " throw-away", vehicle.

John Rodgers 88 GL Driver

Doktor Tim wrote:

> At 06:36 PM 08/22/2002, you wrote: > > I did try Jake Raby as per several suggestions but I don't think my van > > is worth the $3500 he needs as starters for an engine... > > Reality is a bitch. I paid $1600 for my Bus, then put $2000 in it, not > counting labor, worth another $1000+. Haven't touched the motor or tranny > other than maintenance. Just fixed the brakes, replaced the > carbs/cv's/battery/tires/headlights and complete maintenance inspection and > added a Blaupunkt Franfurt rebuilt by the best Euro radio specialist in the > US. I could jump in it in the morning and drive coast to coast with no > worries because everything has been verified. I doubt very much if I could > find anyone who would pay me $2000 for it and I've got near $5000 in it. > That's reality. One sixth the cost of a new Eurovan is damned cheap in my > mind for safe and reliable function for intended use. > > If you buy any typical Vanagon, and put it into good and proper order > throughout, it will never be worth what you have in it to anyone else. If > Raby is actually putting $3500 worth of time, skill and quality parts in > his motors, it's damned well worth it. It just is not the same as an > assembly line motor. > > I know that my 912 motor shows some 26 hours for a flat rate rebuild. I put > perhaps twice that in it, not because I'm slow, but because I took the > extra time required to refine all clearances and specs, requiring several > more iterations of assembly and disassembly than a stock rebuild. Hand > fitting, hand honing, hand polishing everything. And I sent the cam to one > of the best grinders in the US, the heads to the best Porsche machinist in > the US, the crank and rods to the best 912 guru, and verified all their > work as well. What did I get for the extra effort (time/money)??? > > It will idle dead cold in winter at less than 300 rpm with no chokes. It > runs so smooth it's a delight to drive every time. And every time you stab > the throttle, you can't help but put on a great big smile. Refined balance > is far more important for a horizontally opposed design than any other. It > not only adds to functionality and enjoyment, but is the foundation for > much longer life than a compromise assembly. And, it hasn't dripped a > single drop of oil in 10 years. This motor will likely outlive me, with > factory maintenance alone. What do you suppose that will be worth to me 20 > years from now if I live that long??? I expect it will still be worth more > to me than anyone who might want to buy it. > > If you go around with the attitude that you can't spend more time/money on > a vehicle than you can sell it for, your are doomed to poor results and it > will cost you more in the long run.


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