Date:         Sun, 17 Nov 2013 07:48:04 -0800
Reply-To:     Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fw: Subaru EJ20 Turbo Diesel - Payback
Comments: To: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1384454614.53911.YahooMailNeo@web162903.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

De gustibus non disputandum est.

Upgrading your syncro is a fine pastime.  If it makes you feel good, just
do it.  I do.  But of course we still have 1989 syncros and although
entropy always wins, we do enjoy the ride.  Frank is looking at 750000 Km
on the clock and he's not satisfied yet.

My point is that many succumb to the siren song of fuel costs and range,
one must examine the whole enchilada of operating costs to get a real
picture of what our aging road divas really cost to run and then figure in
the inevitable loss of plasticity, regular old wear and tear, you know the
drill.

However it is always a good idea to figure the long term return on
investment.  Maybe a full-on sportsmobile with a 2.5 MB TDI IS the answer.
Mod that to your liking, my neighbor did.  He loves it.  He's got a tad
over 185Kmiles on it.

Not as cool as a syncro but very inexpensive to run and maintain.

It's all about the clams.

Pensionerd.

On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 10:43 AM, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>wrote:

> There is more to the "payback" issue than just fuel economy, or the price
> of gas vs. diesel.
>
> Follow this perspective.
>
> If I buy a new Sprinter van for, what, $30+ grand?  Or even a new Honda
> Odyssey at $28 grand, to serve my transportation and recreational needs,
> what is my payback on that?
>
> If I spend $11-12 grand to upgrade my beloved to the modern world of
> engines and fuel management, isn't that a better deal?  With the added
> benefit of utility that a new vehicle today may not be able to provide as
> well as the Vanagon.
>
> So IMHO there is more to it than just fuel economy issues.
>
> Cheers, Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)