Short answer, Yes. This is why autos are in such poor shape these days (and also why you can get a good deal on many). Disposable (d-evolving) society.

On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 8:32 AM, Jake de Villiers < crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:

> The short answer is 'Yes' ! > > My kids are revered as mechanical geniuses among their peers though neither > are qualified mechanics. They do have the chops to re-do their own brakes > and shocks (and bulbs) but most of today's privileged kids think that > 'maintenance' is putting the car through the local car wash. > > On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 8:24 AM, Ed Lloyd <elloyd10@comcast.net> wrote: > > > I too have been living the Vanagon Experience during my 20+ years of > > driving my 87 Westy, and before that a 76 Westy. > > > > My daughter just bought a sporty little 20004 Mazda 3, and I looked into > > the Driver's Manual, and did a double take on this: > > > > "Front Turn Signal Lights - Due to the complexity and difficulty of the > > procedure, the bulbs should be replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer." > > > > Same for the Fog lights, and side marker lights. They do show pictures > and > > procedures, which amount to unscrewing the plastic housings and gently > > twisting and pulling out the bulbs. Installation is the reverse. > > > > Low beam Xenon bulb may be more of a problem. "You cannot replace the > low > > beam bulbs by yourself. Must be replaced at an Authorized Dealer." OK, > > there may be some high voltage and disposal risk here. > > > > Oil change, and perhaps Air Filter, and that is the complete list of what > > an owner can do by themselves! Everything else is Dealer. > > > > I also noted that the Windshield washer reservoir has a light on the dash > > board to tell you when the washer fluid is low. I have never found this > to > > be a problem in my Vanagon. When it starts to dribble out, then you just > > add more! > > > > this is a sporty car for young people, not a big "Luxury" car for > pampered > > fat cats. Her friends all seem to know how to work the CD player and > > electronic gadgets installed, but seem clueless about the mechanicals. > > > > End of Rant by crusty old guy. > > > > > > -- > Jake > 1984 Vanagon GL > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" > Crescent Beach, BC > www.crescentbeachguitar.com > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27 >

-- Neil2 '82 Diesel Westfalia (Fwd Puke Qualified) '86 Vanagon/Westfalia Wannabe (Savannah) Nunquam Pendite Divendium