Date:         Mon, 7 Sep 2009 01:21:48 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon difficulty
In-Reply-To:  <501dc8150909031638v36a7b2aby8ded9466119d55c@mail.gmail.com>
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Comparing to a 2001 Passat that I currently own in my opinion the Passat
is a far more difficult vehicle to own despite that it is only 8 years
old. The first time when the check engine light came on I could never
solve it myself. Eventually it was fixed by a dealer under warranty
by reprogramming the ECU. That's something I will never be able to do
myself. That was almost 5 years ago. It just got a smog check yesterday
and it passed thanks god.

I know next time when the check engine light comes one again either
it will break my bank or I have to give it up. I was told it would cost
me $3k to replace both catalytic converters. The market of a used 2001
Passat is no more than $5k. I can not imagine how in the world I have
kept my Vanagon for 25 years. The only answer to this is there is no
such a thing as Vanagon difficulty for the 25 years passed. My total
cost of owning it for 25 years excluding oil and gas is less than $1k
per year. So to me there is really no such a thing as Vanagon difficulty.

I remember been warned by someone that the wasser boxer engine is
so unreliable that a trip to Yosemite will break it. Well, In the past
several years I have driven my Vanagon to Yosemite something like 5 times
a year. I am totally confident that the engine is in fact incredibly
rugged and reliable.

David