Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:06:12 -0400
Reply-To: BJ Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BJ Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
Subject: Misc Friday Ramblings, probably long, possibly pointless....
In-Reply-To: <WM9677BD96BB104e4e87CE53A04D7C526B@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Before I embarked on the rust repair for my van I was talking to Chris how I
needed to fix it since I may sell it and if I do keep it I want all the rust
gone anyway. He mentioned that if I did want to sell it that the rust needed
to be fixed since "nobody buys these things as a daily driver anymore." That
really got me thinking. That probably is the case these days. When I bought
my current van 10 years ago I paid $4500 for it with a fresh coat of paint
and a rebuilt engine. I drove it as a daily driver for 5 years but needed
something with more pickup when I started working at a particular client so
I bought a Subaru Legacy (now replaced with a Honda Element). I kept the van
and use it for camping and about 50% of my driving, especially trips to Home
Depot, hauling musical gear, etc. I still use it quite often. In the spring
I'll put a tarp inside and go fill it with dirt for my yard. I have
scratches on the dash from hauling 12' lumber. During the summer it hauls a
12ft inflatable w/ 15HP outboard. I've only put 80K on the van since I
bought it but surprisingly enough dollar per mile it has been one of the
least expensive vehicles I've owned. Scary thought. My wife's Audi A4
keeps the mechanic much more happy than my van does.
One thing I've really noticed lately is I seem to be the only VW bus on the
road these days. I have not passed a VW camper since the Buses By the Depot
last fall. Really. I have seen 1 parked Vanagon in that time. Gone are the
discussions from this list like "Hey, why don't the loaf drivers wave at us
Vanagon owners?". There doesn't seem to be anybody to wave at. Yeah, I'm
getting a little melancholy.
So the question is, does anybody still drive a Vanagon (or loaf) as a daily
driver out there? What are you doing with those vans? Are there people here
that (gulp) just use the van for camping? I could never understand that
one. Are there places besides CA where there are some VW vans left or are
most parts of the country as vanless as SE PA?
On a slightly different topic. There was talk here about modifying vehicles
and lessening their value in the future. Hhhhmmmm. My vans will always be
partial daily drivers or I won't own them anymore. I love VW vans but first
and foremost it's a vehicle for driving as far as I'm concerned. If throw a
Subie or VTec engine in there some day to keep it running I don't care if
I've lowered the value for a collector. That goes for any other mod I make.
It's my vehicle and as far as I'm concerned I've gotten my moneys worth out
of it. If for some reason some excited restorer, about to embark on the
restoration of an '83 turd brown Westy, opens the engine lid to find Chevy
Chevette motor in there than that's their problem. <anti-flame> People who
restore old vehicles to stare at in their garage have too much time and
money as far as I'm concerned. </anti-flame>. ;)
Bryan
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