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Date:         Tue, 11 May 2010 10:15:55 -0700
Reply-To:     Matt Thyer <matt_thyer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Thyer <matt_thyer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: any words of wisdom for a virgin to the world of westy's?
Comments: To: Peter K <bybike@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <005701caf0cf$45502fe0$cff08fa0$@GMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Peter,

Good luck in your search! Included some opinions below which may help. Sounds like I'm in a similar situation with you. Engineer who works on computers, likes to run and race, likes to travel, not much mechanical experience although the desire to learn is nascent.

"diesel... i am on my second diesel jetta and would love to stay diesel, however i get the impression that is the second-most expensive option in terms of maintenance (synco being first). Not running cost... just upgrades, repairs, replacement."

Not necessarily, I'm working on my first diesel Vanagon and just replaced the engine. The previous engine had been hacked to hell and wasn't worth salvage (although I hope Scott got some parts out of it). The new one is larger displacement (1.9l NA) without the turbo and is very simple and easy to maintain. As easy to maintain, in fact, as most of the gasoline engines I've worked on in the past. Add to this that the cost of fuel. A diesel will consume far less, or your mileage will be much better depending on how you look at it. I'm currently averaging about 30 MPG which means that, without trying, I'm sinking 66% less money into fuel for the same distance (and that's an optimistic 20 MPG projection for a gasoline engine for comparison).

If you've got diesel experience, especially diesel experience with the standard 1.6l NA engine found in jettas, foxes, quattros, and rabbits then you're already way out in front on these vehicles. I'm becoming a very big fan of the mechanically timed VW diesel engines and if you've got one then you know how nice they can be (how much money they can save you too).

"age... well, it definitely has to younger than me! I do think I should start newer, and if enthusiasm takes me farther back then I'll look for someone to help fund that commitment."

If you're going with a Vanagon and not an EV then you're getting an old vehicle. No two ways about it. There are differences between the round and square lensed VWs, but there is one universal about all these vehicles. You will be investing in their maintenance if you want the vehicle to work and work well. Use and previous maintenance will have a much more profound impact on any vehicle's current state than the shape of its headlights and/or five to seven years and change. This would be a primary concern of mine were I in your shoes rather than settling on model.

"my needs are simple"

Keep your vehicle selection simple too, avoid aftermarket junk installed by the dreaded PO, look for manual controls where you can get them, and in short be prepared to make universal use of old technology. By comparison, GoWesty is correct, the EVs are cushy. I owned a 2002 for a year and everything on that van is probably still shiny, smooth and un-dinged.

Everything on that van was also very complicated. When you opened the bonnet there was another, plastic bonnet under the hood that allowed you to only add fluids. Volkswagen doesn't want you in there because it's complicated. I lost something down behind the plastic on the steering column, it took me a month to get the column off and I still needed a magnet to get the thing I lost out because I couldn't clear away enough of the plastic. Volkswagen doesn't want you in there because it's complicated. Head lamp replacement? Well you'd better think about your warranty before you pull the lens case. Volkswagen doesn't want you in there because it's complicated.

Point being that the Vanagon, regardless of the year you locate for yourself, is far less complicated. There are some that have bells and whistles, but I advise against these. You want simple, so avoid the glitz (I'm quite the same). If "simple" means cheap then the Vanagon is a better deal for you too, some of the value that will go into yours will invariably be your sweat equity.

2 cents,

Matt Thyer http://zenoswagen.wordpress.com/


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