Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 10:54:32 -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="iso-8859-1"
Volks,
Cris Torlasco of Oregon to Argentina Westfalia Travel fame asked that I
make this reply post for him.
Thks,
Larry
-----Original Message-----
From: Cristian Torlasco [mailto:bsutton@gladstone.uoregon.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 4:40 PM
To: lchase@attglobal.net; Vanagon Mailing List
Cc: vw4x4@FYI.NET
Subject: RE: Vanagon Mania
I took a similar approach to Larry´s but at a much lower price level.
Found a
good Westfalia Diesel, invested in a brand new 1.9 NA diesel engine,
replaced
all major components with Larry´s same criteria. Simplicity was my main
goal,
inspired in the fact that the Westfalia was to be used to travel from
Oregon
to Argentina. Total estimated cost, including the vehicle, USD 5,000.
And boy
it worked! See http://torlasco.tripod.com for more details...Regards,
Cristian Torlasco
>===== Original Message From <lchase@attglobal.net> =====
>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/Micr
>o
>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
| 
