Date:         Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:55:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Ordering Parts Online
In-Reply-To:  <51C32986.3000700@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dear Listers,

        Ron will not remember this but he walked me through many repairs over the phone over a decade ago when I owned my 84 westy.  I don't remember if I told him I was blind or not.  I do remember that even though most people would not have had the patience to describe repair directions that would either seem obvious or were pictured in diagrams, he walked me through the steps and I successfully replaced suspension parts, the rear seat radiator, and many more odds and ends.  It was partly seeing that the Bus depot was still around that made me feel I could take on responsibility for my "new" 85.  And, I didn't over use there help as listers from this community consistently offered great advice and directions.

This conversation just confirms for me that I made the write choice in getting my next Westfalia.

Wish me luck folks.  I Pick it up tomorrow!  And, get to meet Ken in the process.

Eric 
85 automatic Westfalia  



On Jun 20, 2013, at 12:10 PM, JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Theres much in what  yoiu say. Most don't realize that the cost of
> maintaining the older vehicle is comparable to the cost of paying for a
> newer vehicle. It's just buried expense on the newer machine - and you
> don't have the time spent either waiting on repairs at a shop or doing
> it yourself. For many, that is what they are paying for in a newer
> vehicle - the convenience of not being inconvenienced with repair and
> maintenance issues.
> 
> One thing - when you begin to compare the price of a comparable new
> vehicle(as comparable to the Vanagon as one can get - since there is
> nothing out there quite like them) vs the cost of maintenance of a "paid
> for" Vanagon for the same period - it is more likely that one is way
> ahead of the game with the Vanagon. $250/month in car payments on a new
> car vs $250/month into a paid-for Vanagon for maintenance and upkeep  in
> a years time, amounts to a lot of upgrading of the vehicle. In the end
> one could have a really spiffy Vanagon at that rate.
> 
> John
> \
> On 6/20/2013 10:41 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> I think sometimes folks get involved with Vanagons who aren't fully prepared for the ongoing costs and constant challenges of owning an old vehicle and trying to depend on it (get the best towing package you can find!).