Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 08:00:34 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: one van for two people?
In-Reply-To: <20031120051553.35635.qmail@web13107.mail.yahoo.com>
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I consider my van to be truck, camper, and emergency housing. and I have
used it as such many times. I have found when there is a money crunch I
had numerous needs for the van in those categories. Wouldn't give it up
for those reasons. Nothing emotional there, at times my van has been a
PITA, but that has been offset by those extra needs that were serious
when needed.
Once it is sold, the money is gone shortly there after. Then there is
nothing. If money is getting low, get creative. Work several different
jobs if necessary. Avoid "shared" transportation when possible as that
brings all kinds of conflicts, like whose need for transport is most
important at the moment. Requires decision making which has conflict
potential. To sell the van for money to spend on "needs" is like
borrowing to pay rent. The real problem is you need a job to get the
cash flow increased. Selling the van is only a temporaty stopgap. RESULT
- van is gone, the money is finite in thate the van will bring only so
much, and when that is gone then what???
Keep the van!!
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Damon Campbell wrote:
>This probably isn't the best place to bring this up,
>since it is a biased audience, but i'm curious about
>what your thoughts are.
>
>Since moving up here to Vancouver, BC, and still
>searching for a job, money things have become more of
>an issue since neither of us are employed (she is a
>student). Lately, my '84 westy has been a topic of
>conversation. In particular, whether or not we should
>keep it. We now live in a community where we are
>delightfully free to get around via foot, bike, and
>bus, so having two vehicles really isn’t necessary
>(although i’m not sure how a job would affect all
>that). There are two fairly divided camps of thought
>on this in our household:
>
>Hers - if we are only going to pare down to a single
>vehicle, the van is not the most practical one for
>what we use it for (basic transportation). She does
>not want to feel trapped into driving a vehicle she
>thinks is relatively unsafe (less than inspiring
>brakes, no airbags, no abs, etc.), has a blind spot
>(why do all vans have the same dent in the rear
>bumper), and is not known for being the most reliable
>vehicle in the world... Basically, if we are sharing
>a vehicle, she wants a modern, reliable, economical,
>and safe one (small, too).
>
>His - I've very recently spent a *lot* of time and
>money on this van. It is in really good shape, and
>since my dad is the original owner, all my family
>vacations were in it, so i kind of grew up in it.
>Yes, there still are a few, um... quirks (mainly with
>the FI adapting to the larger engine), but i honestly
>feel everything is reliable now (new hydraulics,
>rebuilt tranny, new engine, new etc. etc... deluding
>myself?). However, i do understand that a small car
>like a honda is better suited for around-town driving,
>gets better gas mileage, etc., so a lot of my
>attachment is an emotional one, not a rational one.
>
>This is starting to be a bit of a contentious issue in
>our house, and i'm wondering if i am being silly
>holding on to a van as a potential single vehicle that
>my wife *really* doesn't want to be committed to as
>our sole means of transportation. Another car would
>do what we need quite well, but i simply like this
>one.
>
>I'd appreciate your thoughts on this (and serious
>ones, please... last time i posted something involving
>my wife, i received a disturbing number of
>misogynistic responses)
>
>Thanks,
>-Damon
>
>
>=====
>'84 Westy (Sparky) w/2.3L WBX (wow... it actually works!)
>
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