Interesting thread. I traded my bachelor 'new car', a 72 Olds Cutlass Supreme, for a used 70 Westfalia camper in about 1975. We were young then, toured the country, used that vehicle like it was intended. I traded up for an '80 Vanagon camper and drove it for 10 years or so (There was a brief hiatus when I drove a non-westy vehicle). My wife found our current 88 Westy in the local newspaper maybe 10 years ago. I guess I'm imprinted. I just like the vehicle. We camp maybe once or twice a year and I ride nice and high all year with it as my daily driver. I have no desire for a new vehicle (I'd secretly like a Syncro). I'm an 'analytical'; I support computers for a living and am fortunate to have a local shop whose owner has more Vanagons around his shop yard than I see in several month (most are his). I value 'the list' and its wisdom. In some ways I feel sorry for those younger folks who are suckered into the media blitz which implores that you buy the latest and greatest. It's a powerful pull. If someone totaled my van tomorrow (not me of course), I'd be out trolling eBay and Samba looking for a 'new one'. Maybe I'd get my Syncro! John Graham 88 Westy - non-Syncro Charlotte, NC |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.