Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 00:44:55 -0400
Reply-To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: Cost of Ownership
I sold my 87 because i paid this one 12k (CAD, about 8kUS), I put 4k (parts
only) on it for a total of 16k (CAD), I sold this one 17k, just before some
more money would be needed on it, I didn't want to exceed ($$) the street
price or value of this one. I did love my 87, It did serve me well for 2
years (35k miles) with proper maintenance and care, yes, a 15-20 years old
van needs special attention. The 84 (owned by me and Jason, Carolyn brother)
did Montreal-Mexico- Vancouver- High level (north of Alberta)-Montreal with
NO repair or maintenance! That about 20k miles (5 months), yes, I will call
that luck...but still, he made it home and he told me that he could never
sell is Vanagon, even if he is starting to have some trouble.
My 73 air cool gave me a lot more trouble in my Mexico trip but still, we
made it home!
I left Montreal with a sick engine, I paid the price!!!!!!!!!! now it's a
dream machine... a bit late I have to say. I paid this one 5.5K (CAD) and I
put 3.5K on it, am now at the street price value... am thinking of selling
that one now, but I can't, why, BECAUSE WE FALL IN LOVE WITH THOSE MACHINES,
PERIOD. We travel, live, see the world, meet friends, sleep, get sick, we
piss in the sink when it's to cold outside or their is a bear running
around. That why we get attach to those evil machine, like a BRO here said
to me one day; it's hate and love relationship!
Another thing, when finally, after months of searching we finally find (or
should I say; we think) the perfect bus/van for us, we fall in love with
this one before we even sit in it, that the real main problem!!!! Instead of
checking the coolant system, compression and other BASIC stuff we sit and
chat with the PO about all the good time this one had in/with the
bus/van!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if he is telling you that the bus/van is leaking a bit or as lost power
in the last year...... we are blind like a... bind guy and still buy the van
because it feel good, yea, good vibe... well, sometime good vibe cost a lot
of money.
Think about that, am sure am not the only one who did that kind of
stupidity...with my compression gage in one hand and a beer on the other
one!!!! And yes, without any further check-up we sign the check and up we go
home with a sick bus/van because our eyes were close... dreaming about the
good time to come... or bad one.
So for those who are bashing and winning about VW mechanic or third party
mechanic, get your hand dirty and go buy some tools, when you see a 69 Dodge
Charger on the road, do you think that this guys go to the dealer!!!!!!!!!!
Before I bought my 87 I was quite aware of the poor VW dealer service and
knowledge, I read for months on the VW Vanagon, about all kinds of story,
mostly horror story, well I finally bought one anyway because they are
fascinating and was ready to deal with it. And yes, I WOULD NOT RECOMMENDS A
VW to any noob that doesn't have some basic mechanic knowledge! BUT, and I
say BUT, I have met many VW van/bus owner that have great story about VW,
sadly that is not what we read here or on other VW list...sadly.
I owned a 98 Civic SI with only 50k on it, that my security! All others
stuff that I owned are old and unreliable stuff, even if I now make a lot
more money than before and wouldn't need to work on my vehicles, I still do,
even on the Civic (Basic maintenance). I am not a mechanic by profession, I
became one because I didn't have money in the past and I loves putting thing
apart...also, when I torque a bolt, I know it's safely fasten there... Am no
brighter or neither have more knowledge than anyone here, I just try, even
if I make mistake (and I do) it will still cost me less than have my bus/van
to the mechanic shop. AND AM DAM* PROUD OF ME WHEN IT WORK.
The conclusion:
If you are not confident about your mechanic, cannot find one, are afraid of
learning and getting your hand dirty, sell the evil machine and get on with
your life, buy a tent trailer, a RV, a tent and go camping, VW is a "means",
not the reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
OR get your stuff together and learn some stuff, it's not a tiger or a lion
under the hatch, it's an engine, it's only parts moving that can be change,
fixed, bought or fabricated.
By the way, when you put a VR6 in a 4-cylinder car, it's quite normal that
it's a tight fit and difficult to work with/in!
Have a nice week, Ben
http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm
ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!
all my stuff will soon move with 10 new sections (air and wasser), every
page will be under the same roof, I have a 300 meg server just for me, the
new URL will be posted on all my main page for a wile, not any specific
page!!! Now I need a name... well, I have to check if "Bensplace.com" is
available , or "badben.com", or maybe "darkbenlovingVWandtraveling.com"...
he he he
I am paying for the URL and the server, so remember that before bashing my
English, he he he he... Seriously, thanks for the 25k hits I had the past 2
years, I hope it did help a few of you guys. And yes, am crazy, ask Derek.
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