Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 11:38:40 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart Fedak VE3SMF <ve3smf@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart Fedak VE3SMF <ve3smf@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Fw: Subaru EJ20 Turbo Diesel - Payback
In-Reply-To: <1384454614.53911.YahooMailNeo@web162903.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
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There is financial payback and emotional payback. One could argue that keeping your dated Vanagon alive for another 10 years of enjoyment is well worth the time and effort of a complete engine/drive train transplant. If keeping you on the road is worth an up-front payment of $15K over a ten year period, then you could argue it is worth the $1.5K per year. In ten years time, your Vanagon will still be 10 years older and have a dated transplant. What would be the residual value of the Vanagon in 10 years? Perhaps it will be just another 40 year old Vanagon with a dated engine conversion.
When you look at the earlier VW bus, it is the ones with original body, interiors and engines that command the highest sales value. What is the appeal (financial/emotional) of a GoWesty restoration with an updated VW engine? Sticking with a well documented restoration, using as many original parts most likely has the best re-sale value (financial) in the long term. RV dealer lots are usually littered with well meaning vehicles that have been modified. They usually are stuck in the back lot, covered in dust.
If you love your Westy, and just want to keep on with a more reliable engine/drivetrain, then by all means do the work, and enjoy. The ultimate object is to take the vehicle on the road and have an adventure. The financial aspects are secondary. If your personal budget permits this upgrade, then go for it. The real payback may be your collection of photo of you and your ride, parked along the side of the road, in a campground, doing stealth camping, camping at Wal-Mart or being off the grid. I don't think many people would look back in 2023 after 10 years of taking time to travel in their Vanagon and wishing they had saved the $15K to leave in their estate for their kids. Not every thing in life can be calculated on an Excel spread sheet.
I put an engine/drive train transplant (reliability); Propex heater; fridge update; and brake/tire/suspension update all in the same class. They will add to the Vanagon experience, enhance reliability and make the folks that are close to you (and that should matter to you) feel better about joining you on your adventures in life.
Live the dream. That is the real payback.......
Cheers!
Stuart
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