Date:         Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:05:59 -0600
Reply-To:     Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Buying a Van - Parts in L.A.
In-Reply-To:  <336333.28722.qm@web83303.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>
> Go Westy
> BusDepot
> Van Cafe
> Van Again
>
> I live in L.A. so I was wondering if there were any recommendations
> in this area.  I did find one used parts place 1 1/2 miles from me:
>
> Interstate Auto Dismantlers
>
> Last question - does VW still make parts for these cars?  I get the
> impression that they do, though I expect they are expensive.  Does VW
> still service these cars - once more, I'm willing to do most
> everything myself, but in a pinch could I stop at a VW dealership and
> get the thing repaired or get parts?

Has this link been suggested to you yet?
http://www.roadhaus.com/

Spend a few hours searching all the links at that site, even for shops
in your area that may be recommended for work on Vanagon's.

A suggestion: change your mind set, or thinking about your "new"
vehicle. You talk about maintaining it as though it's NOT a 20-
something y/o vehicle that not many current shops will be willing to
work on, and CERTAINLY not any VW dealerships, with only
very rare exceptions. There are, for example, no VW dealerships
in the city I live in that will consider working on, even an oil change,
for a vanagon.

Having said that, I've found some great shops that like working my
van. They are the one's that get good mention on the road haus
list of shops, and those that don't ALSO get mentioned there.

I agree with the suggestion to begin using the shops you listed,
plus many more you will find down the road. Supporting list
vendors that specialize in providing parts for vanagon's ensures
that they stay in business. By the way, the shops I use (2 locally)
are very willing to accept the parts I get from list vendors, when
they do the repairs I either can't or am just too lazy to do myself.

An example of some of the reviews, and conflicting experiences:

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops_advanced_search_results2.php

Bob