Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:08:41 -0400
Reply-To: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: Re: FS: '85 GL Iowa
In-Reply-To: <326099ba0906221845l29bfd9bs43707f56ec5aecc5@mail.gmail.com>
(Matt Drew's message of "Mon\, 22 Jun 2009 18\:45\:00 -0700")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Since he's so concerned with the environment, ask him to consider all
the energy and resources and emissions associated with manufacturing
that new Honda Fit. His Vanagon is already here; its manufacturing
impact on the environment is a "sunk cost" that cannot be undone by
crushing it. Reduce, Reuse -- don't buy new.
The differential emissions between a Vanagon in good tune and the Honda
Fit are not that great. Whether you or he believes in global warming or
not, trading the Vanagon for a Honda is not going to make any
difference in the grand scheme of things.
Ask him if he thinks it's fair that you and I and our children and
grandchildren will have our money taken from us by the government so
that he can have a new car?
The Honda Fit will probably cost him at least $16,000 or more, depending
on options. Does he have nothing better to do with $11,500 (or more)
than throw it into a new car, which will lose thousands in depreciation
as soon as he drives it home and thousands more every year thereafter?
Will he need to go into debt to buy it? Is that wise in this economy?
How much more will his license and registration costs go up? Insurance?
If he really wants the Honda, sell the Vanagon to someone who wants it.
He may not (probably won't) get $4500. But he might come close and at
least it won't go to the crusher or further burden the taxpaying public.
Just some ideas....
Allan
Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM> writes:
> Again, not mine.
> I caught wind of this today.
>
> Owner may actually be on the list. If so, go ahead and chime-in Donald . . .
>
>
> Situation: He can get $4,500 giving up his '85 with the "Cash for Clunkers"
> credit program - which I'm not familiar and do not comprehend who would
> quote the 'trade-in' value....
>
> To trade it in for a Honda Fit.
>
> My thought: He takes this route and it's one more Vanagon RIP.
>
> Info from owner:
>
> "I love the thing, I really do. But (and there always a "but") it's a filthy
> engine and coming from someone who feels guilty about cranking up my
> two-cycle lawn mower, I feel like i'm choking the planet just a little more
> each time I drive it (and I usually drive a 2004 VW Passat wagon that emits
> only a fraction of the pollution the Vanagon does).
> Besides, who will pay me $4500 (the cash for clunkers credit) for an '85
> Vanagon with 220,000 miles?
> It's also starting to weep coolant from the heads again on very cold days
> (VW remanufactured engine at 141,000 miles 13 years ago--it had a good
> run)."
> "it's just a standard GL, it has the folding rear set into the queen sized
> bed, AC (never worked well, i've removed the belt) power steering. It's
> silver but long faded. Very minor surface rust but no structural rust. This
> van came from the south and has never been driven in Iowa winter. Except for
> the engine leaking coolant in sub freezing temperatures, the engine is in
> good shape--occasional hydraulic lifter tick if i haven't used it in a
> while."
>
> Aside from what he's told me above, there are no problems with it. No
> accidents. Straight.
>
> Trying to convince him not to take the easy route and sentence his '85 to
> salvage . . .
>
> Thoughts? Advice?
> Offers?
>
> He's sending me the VIN.
>
> --
> Drew, Las Vegas
> '90 GL "Blackbeard"
>
--
1991 Vanagon GL
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