Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 15:37:50 -0800
Reply-To: Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon name
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Look at the reliability of each vehicle. I put a lot of energy into my van
when I first bought it. I don't anymore, but then, it only get run about
3000 miles a year. Then look at the work I put into my 92 Toyota Pickup with
the R22 engine. None. It ran for 10 straight years at 15 to 20 thousand
miles a year with nothing more than oil changes, a set of sparkplugs every
couple of years and oh yeah, a radiator at 125 thousand miles. Cost me 125
bucks and 20 minutes to replace. I put brake pads on at 100k, replaced the
brake fluid, and yes, I changed one bulb, front driving light (that little
white light that marks the front corner of the truck).
I would still be driving it except some dumb SOB drunk college kid totalled
it out in front of my house one night. And still not working on it.
For every story of no maintenance like yours, there are a dozen with all
sorts of really stupid engineering fits. You can start with the endless
debates on how to bleed the cooling system, and end up with 3rd/4th tranny
slider meltdowns. Let's not even get into black magic Vanagon syndrome,
rotting fuel lines, Air flow controller resister breakdown, etc., etc.
Things that were engineered out of Toyotas in the late 70's.
I repeat, my hat is off to those who put the work in to keep their daily
drivers daily.
tim in san jose
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Felder" <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: Vanagon name
> >
> >
> > I love my Vanagon, but rely on it for everyday transportation? Hats
> > off to
> > anyone who does but I'll take a Toyota anything for everyday
> > transportation.
> >
> >
>
> In 1990 my wife bought an Acura Legend and I bought a vanagon. The
> Acura has about 130K miles on it, and it's on its third engine. The VW
> has 190K miles on it and the engine's never been opened.
>
> I haven't driven anything but a diesel westy or a gas Carat for the
> last 14 years. I'm sure there are many others on the list who have done
> many more Vanagon miles than I have.
>
> So what's the hats off for?
>
> Jim
>
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