I was 21 when i bought my current van (an 85 Westfalia GL in 1993). I drove it with two friends from Winnipeg to Alaska. At the time it had 80k km. It made it, but if there were any problems I honestly wouldn't have known what to do. And I was probably pretty far away from anyone qualified to fix it. I should add that in the middle of nowhere I heard the dreaded popping coming from the right rear wheel, and made it 400km on a gravel road to civilization to have the cv joint replaced. Ignorance was bliss, in my case. I generally budget an extra day on a two week trip just in case something breaks down. I've maintained the vehicle very well, and get it inspected before i leave, but it's just the nature of a vehicle that age that something may break down. A rental car might cost more, but will get twice the gas mileage. It may cost a little bit more money but what's an extra night in a hotel worth? Sorry to be a bummer - i always plan for the worst. Most of the time I end up pleasantly surprised but what can i say. Good luck! Jeff On 27-Feb-09, at 7:49 AM, Michael Sullivan wrote: > Ok, Happy Frydaye. My 91GL is in darn good shape. I have never > driven it > more than 300 miles at a time and my kid(20 yr old) wants to take it > to > Florida from Texas for Spring Break with five other friends.. All fuel > lines, tires and belts are new. Got back up belts, oil cooler seal, > plugs, > anti-freeze, fire extinguisher and brand new spare. > Aside from the dumb-ass quotient and the 'I'm on Spring Break and > gotta > vomit' issue, does anyone have an opinion? They don't want to spend $ > $ to > rent a vehicle and I will have it detailed and oil changed when they > return, > but I am worried of mechanical issues that would leave my van stuck > in FL. > I've told him NO, but re-thinking it. Would like to have Rescue squad > contacts and good shops in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida noted just in > case. > He's driven the van about town alot and never a problem. > I would go with him, but all those young uns would drag me down. > heheheh > Opinions welcomed. Thanks. > > -- > Michael in San Antonio > 91GL AT 'Gringo' |
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Vanagon mail messages have been archived.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.