Date:         Tue, 24 May 2005 11:24:48 -0400
Reply-To:     dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Did I buy the Right Vehicle? Am I hearing all the bad.
Comments: To: Adam Thacker <87westy@THACKER.CA>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Except for following me behind a motor home, the FUN BUS has not been towed home and it now has 223K on the Odometer. The engine is the original, head gaskets and all. Yes, I have done repairs on the road including a water pump in a campground and the tranny broke 4th gear twice, but overall it has been very reliable. As for trips, it has dome numerous NY to Florida trips, a NY to CA and NY to Alaska.

Maintenance and inspection is the key. You are buying a van that is 18 years old.  Every system needs to be inspected and serviced as needed. You should not expect to drive it far without doing so. Few parts fail without warning or cause. Sudden engine failures are usually the result of abuse or failure of a support system such as lubrication or coolant. Address these and the rest will be fairly easy.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Adam Thacker <87westy@THACKER.CA>
Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 6:55 am
Subject: Did I buy the Right Vehicle? Am I hearing all the bad.

> I have wanted one of these van's for years and looked around for 2
> months to
> get one in good condition in my price range (87westy) I would love
> to take
> this thing across country but now after reading this list I am
> unsure if it
> will make it without me crossing my fingers the whole time. Am I
> hearing the
> worst of the worst? I am reading a lot of problems with these
> van's now and
> I am nervous I don't know if I can take this thing out of the city
> or trust
> it on a long trip. Engines blowing, CV Joints, Bearings, Hoses
> Popping etc.
> Can people please provide me some positive stories of trouble free
> ownershipand trips with regular maintenance? Am I hearing all the
> bad news only?
> Thank you your comments are welcome.
>
> ./athacker
>
> 1987 Westfalia
> http://www.thacker.ca/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=1987-
> Westfalia