Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 12:36:57 -0500
Reply-To: Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Mania
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Eric,
"The cost of ANY vehicle with lots of mileage, and lots of years is
going to exceed a new vehicle, unless you have way to get things done
cheaper."
I agree with your words of caution ... but might have a slightly
different perspective.
I planned my road trip well before deciding on the right vehicle.
When it came time to pick the vehicle the only two that met my
objectives were Sports Mobile & Westy Syncro.
Properly outfitted used 4x4 Sports Mobiles were not to be found.
A new Sports mobile cost $80,000 ....ouch!
I got lucky and found a single owner well maintained 90 Westy Syncro for
$12,000 with 160,000 miles.
Would this be a dependable vehicle to take on a 50,000 - 75,000 mile
Roadtrip?
No.
Two possible choices ....
Replace and Repair along the way or do a fairly complete rebuild before
the trip.
I choose the rebuild route.
The goal .... if a component wasn't likely to last the duration of the
trip ... it got replaced.
OE New parts 1st choice
OE Rebuilt parts 2nd choice
Aftermarket New parts 3rd choice.
Since I really didn't have the skills or time to do the work myself, I
had various shops rebuild/replace 80% of the components. And I
outfitted the van the way I wanted it.
Solar, Sound System, Hot Water Shower etc, etc, etc, etc :)
Total Rebuild & Modification cost = $18,000
End result ...... I invested a total of $30,000 (including purchase
price) in the RoadHaus vs $80,000 in a Sports mobile.
That's a large delta.
After over one year and 40,000 miles, problems have been fairly minor.
Except for a bad choice of engine builder and some AC problems :(
Did I make the right choice?
For me .... Yes.
Besides .... Sportsmobile doesn't come with an incredible built it
community of help and support.
And its been the people that have made this a truly incredible trip.
The only bad roads are the ones
your sitting on the side of,
Larry Chase
Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web:
<file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/RoadHaus/Application%20Data/Micro
soft/Signatures/WWW.RoadHaus.com> WWW.RoadHaus.com
Cell: 408.202.1217
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Georgia .. circling the south waiting for EveryBus
- - -
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 07:31:20 -0500
From: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Mania
The problem with all this is, not many people have the knowledge to
foresee problems with used vehicles until they are half way to work ,
and break down in the middle of rush hour traffic. This means 1/2 day
missed work, and a tow for $75.00, plus borrowing the SO car, the next 3
days when it is being fixed. Add the this the cost of a new ECU, and
break down 3 weeks later only to find that the ECU was not the problem,
and you will surely agree that the $8000.00 Vanagon/camper/syncro with
164,000 miles on it was in no way shape or form a good deal for anyone,
except a well tuned home
mechanic with lots of support people. THe cost of ANY vehicle
with lots of millage, and lots of years under its bell is going to
excceed a new vehicle, unless you have way to get things done cheaper.
ERic
