Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:27:23 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Beyond Vanagon-Keeping older vehicles!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
With proper care almost any vehicle can be kept "forever". The key is cost
effectiveness. At some point you also have to consider obsolescence.
The Vanagon is unique in its size and functional capabilities but was
already obsolete as they were even being introduced. Let's face some facts.
They couldn't sell these things to the general public then. I purchased my
Syncro Westy in February 1988. It was sitting on the dealer's lot since
September 1987. They dropped the price $6K and helped me finance it. They
were really anxious to see it go.
One has to really consider the total cost of ownership on both a cost per
mile and cost per year especially with labor rates pushing $100/hr plus.
While an engine or transmission replacement may not justify replacing a
vehicle either of these repairs is often just a beginning. With today's low
interest rates many vehicles can be had for reasonable monthly costs. Foe
those that want/need to go the RV camping route the interest on those loans
is even tax deductible. A $3,000 transmission-clutch job is really
$300/month for a year. More if you have to use a credit card to pay for it.
Next there will be that engine work, water pump, suspension, etc. This is
why many people lease. Bring it home, use it and return it before that first
major repair. Heck, let it go before it even needs tires or brakes.
In our group the survivors are those that learn to do most work on their own
or partner with a mechanic-shop willing to work cheap. We don't even want to
pay normal prices for our parts. Unfortunately most of the quality OEM parts
are becoming nonexistent because no one wanted to pay for them. Original
exhaust and rear brakes shoes are just 2 examples.
As for obsolescence, our vehicles make more pollution then most, have few
passive safety systems, and awful heating/ventilation/air conditioning
systems. Most all have been modified in some way.
As for me, I am addicted. Even though I have an RV, FUN BUS is going no
where. It has been at my brother's place for over a year for Body and paint
work. It is looking real good. I am upgrading the tires/wheels again. Adding
the front big brake kit. When it comes home I will be repairing the tranny
again(4th time) and rebuilding the suspension. I expect that after all this
the engine has to say no more but I will try to push it to at least 275K and
if still going maybe 300K. It also needs the front engine pipe and a
muffler. VW will be supplying the muffler under their lifetime warranty. Oh
and the viscous coupling has seen better days. Last time I drove it in snow
there was very little push to the front wheels.
I won't even start talking about the 87 passenger Syncro.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Hanson
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2013 1:33 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Beyond Vanagon
I don't see any reason, other than the auto manufacturer's lobby and our
government, that we can't keep Vanagons viable until the last fossil fuel is
gone...I mean, the basic chassis should last if it isn't in a super
salty road state for it's whole life. They'll probably legislate us off
the road soon....They are already doing that with diesel trucks (big rigs)
in some states...Older ones not allowed....gotta buy a new one....
It certainly seems like you'd have better value if you simply 'revise' the
Vanagon continually rather than keep starting over with brand new vehicles,
for a big price. Vehicles that are now configured to make money for the
car manufacturers and their dealers....with 'required'
service, extra fee for warranty, remove the motor to change the spark plugs,
dealer-exclusive service ports, etc etc .
You could build a pretty effective (and attractive) Vanagon for $85 grand
or whatever an Airstream Sprinter must cost.....and if you put that kinda
money in your Vanagon, it would be something you know would last...you could
make it really pretty stout and efficient for that money and use all the
best parts...Then, in ten or 15years, when your Dodge or Mercedes chassis
camper was ready for replacement again at another $100k (inflation)....you
could again rework your antique Vanagon with that kinda dough and again, do
better than buying from the showroom floor...
That being said, I'd like one of those Nissans..I have owned that brand
in the past and they are dead-nuts dependable. I've see some older
Canadian diesel ones I like and the newer 1/2 ton(?) ones I see more of
lately look a lot more appropriate for an everyday driver than the big
sprinter ones...Since I am just a worker, I haven't looked seriously at what
is really offered ....
Happy friday
On Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> HI Dave..
> I believe in a whole other philosophy.
> I also just *love* preserving things, treating and preventing rust
> ....fixing things ..
> like 'working a vanagon, or 'one's vanagon' is not a bad thing .
> or something to be avoided to do 'when you have to ' ..it's a fun
> rewarding thing to do. .
>
