Date:         Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:40:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Fix it as it needs?...or Go For IT!!
In-Reply-To:  <4F692987.1010404@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

TurboVans Scott wrote the following and it got me thinking....

"I'm sure as supply dwindles on these old vans they let the supply run out ..pretty understandable."  (regarding parts and so forth)

So we all know we are constantly dealing with old age on our beloved Vanagons; thanks to this List and the wonderful suppliers we are able to handle it.  As our wallets allow.  For many of us, we want to have this superb vehicle, or it's equivalent, ready to go and ready to tackle whatever we throw at it with confidence.  But I suspect things will get harder and harder to maintain and keep ready to go.

Do we just keep "plugging the holes" as it were, or dig deep into the wallet NOW while pretty much anything we need for our Vanagons is still available.  Sort of like GoWesty does; spare no expense.  Endure the pain briefly, and then be good for another 10-15 years.

Or hope for an alternative vehicle to present itself?  And we all know there will probably be a hefty pricetag going that route even if it were true, gotta be north of $35-40K right?

Just wondering what you guys are thinking these days regarding longevity and options.  I'm sure many who love the "Vanagon roadtrip style" are thinking like me.  I've been a VW van owner since 1974 and it's kinda in my blood; but I'm a practical guy too.

Rich
San Diego