Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:05:20 -0700
Reply-To: Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Purchase price is just the down payment
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds14AE6147CCBA395119A311A0750@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Dennis,
Many of the repairs were done by a local shop:
- the transmission, of course the rebuild, but also the R&R since I don't
really have that capability -- total of around $2,250
- the new head, I guess I could have given it a shot, but pretty sure I
would have messed something up but that was over $1,000
- each smog test, most times I give it a shot myself: new plugs, oil
change, oxygen sensor, new CAT (things I can do), but then I take it to the
smog test and it fails. So I end up needing somebody to tune it with a
smog test device for pre-test which one of the local shops has.
- one time it would not start, so I tried various things for a couple of
weekends, had to tow it to a shop to fully diagnose and they did the repair
(new ECU).
I do as much as I can myself, but I am capable for mostly the lighter
weight stuff. So I did the stereo, the sound proofing, install jump seat,
repainted the fiberglass bumper covers, replaced the water pump, and dozens
of other lighter tasks, etc.
But viewing your point in another way, I definitely agree with you, that
over a 7 year interval, with over 200,000 miles to expect far greater
repair costs on average. I spent about 6 months searching and waiting for
the right Vanagon, and went 480 miles away to pick it up. It was in really
good shape, the PO had a folder with dozens of repair receipts, many of
them preventative, I think I got a better one.
Roland
On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 4:04 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> What would those repairs have cost if you had to outsource the labor? For
> many first time Vanagon owners this cost of ownership is not often thought
> of.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Robert Stevens
> Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 1:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Purchase price is just the down payment
>
> On Oct 19, 2012, at 11:07 AM, Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> "Here is one data point: (I am a Quicken nut so these numbers are
> available
> in about 20 seconds).
> - purchase: '89 Syncro, $4,300, August 2005
> - total other expenses since then: $9,417.03 which includes registration
> (but not insurance or gas)
> - but this total includes some upgrades, not just repairs, perhaps $1,500 -
> $2,000 (wheels, SA grille, jump seat, camping gear, stereo, many little
> things).
> - major repairs: rebuilt trans, new head, 2-3 times to get it through smog.
>
> Total: $13,717.03, or $159.50 per month (plus gas and insurance). I also
> have another car, but sometimes when that one has broken, the Vanagon has
> been my daily driver for months.
>
> Gee, $159.50 per month is really good for my beloved Vanagon!"
>
>
> Dear Roland .... great compilation, however .....
>
> You stopped short of a REALLY important $$ number .... even if it's just
> "an
> estimate", figure the current value.
>
> My BET, you're monthly number completely disappears, and turns into a
> growth-on-investment number, hands down.
>
> bob
> '87 Syncro Westy
> purchased for $15K in 2002, received offer of $50K in 2008.
> Just sayin'.........
>
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