Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:48:36 -0800
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: ..gutless and unreliable....
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
My 1982 Westfalia cost me $2,000 at a junkyard with a burnt Diesel motor in
1995.
At the time I thought it was a good price, and after investing another
$1,500, I had a 1991 Gas Jetta engine in place of the Diesel.
$3,500 for a nice rust free Westfalia with a conversion motor was a good
deal cheaper than buying a Westfalia for the same price on the local market
with leaking head gaskets.
In 1998 I put in a 2.0 Golf engine (not golf cart) and power steeering.
In the last four years I have had only maintenance and some minor problems,
none which cost me a lot of money.
When I did the conversion in 1995 I also rebuilt the CV axles and
transmission.
The 2 liter engine had 78,000 when I put it in. It now has 135,000. The
engine cost $500.00.
My Westfalia has 267,000. I have replaced the shocks with Bilsteins,
brakes , master cylinder, water pump, expansion tank, etc. But not to the
tune of even $200.00.
The fuel injection from the 91 Jetta may have fewer gremlins, and it has
performed flawlessly for four years.
The last several months it has had weird problems, and I guess i'm too cheap
to bring it to a shop for analysis.
All the labor was done by me, so It's hard for me to spend money .Some of
you have no choice but to spend.
But then new car monthly payments and insurance isn't cheap either.
I may have an advantage having started out with mechanics working on
airplanes with my dad when I was 15.
I see a lot of Vanagons where the owners let every thing go and then
complain that it's a high maintenance vehicle.
It's just that after 20 years a lot of little things accumulate if not
replaced all at once. If a dash light goes out, while you are there, look at
the rest and replace all of them.
The nice thing about the Vanagon is that you actually can replace the dash
lights. How many other vehicles are so easy to work on?
Some Vanagon buyers trudge through one problem after the next.
Best to take pre-emptive action and build your Vanagon right after you buy
it,with a plan to restore it.
Make a restoration plan. Plan the work and work the plan and drive the van.
OK, I know that sounds corny but then it is a square vehicle.
Robert
1982 Westfalia
----Original Message Follows----
From: Hieu Q <ibq152@YAHOO.COM>
Reply-To: Hieu Q <ibq152@YAHOO.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: ..gutless and unreliable....
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:07:52 -0800
Hey all,
I think I might've posted my response to a member
instead of the list, ooops.
If I'm repeating myself, double ooops. Anyways, I got
my Westy w/169K for $1000.
Made it to 186K before things got seepy. Original
gaskets, electronics, etc.
No sign of the syndrome or any funny business. Was
getting 21-23 mpg
(once got 24.6 on a windy day!) Of course she was well
maintained (all
receipts since purchase, even have the original window
sticker). I
think maintenance has a lot to do with whether or not
you're walking
on the highway. Your experience may vary.
...but I do agree that maybe a vanagon isn't the best
first vehicle.
That vote would go to my 1992 Festiva for $600--130K
in 3 years with
no major investment (nothing over $200). 40+ mpg to
boot. Not
bad for a lawn mower powered go cart :^)
have a super day,
Hieu 1984 Westy "MJ"
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Robert
1982 Westfalia 1987 Wolfsburg
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