Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 10:56:58 -0400
Reply-To: "John S. Cronin" <john.cronin@OIT.GATECH.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "John S. Cronin" <john.cronin@OIT.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: VW=On-going maintenance concern
In-Reply-To: DavidM <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM> "Re: VW=On-going maintenance concern"
(Jul 16, 9:41am)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Jul 16, 9:41am, DavidM wrote:
> Subject: Re: VW=On-going maintenance concern
> Bill wrote:
> >
> > As I understand it, what you are looking for is a car that will be your
> > only vehicle. Since that's the case, it must be completely reliable.
> >
> > Under those conditions, I would recommend against your getting a Vanagon.
> > In fact, I would advise against getting any kind of motor vehicle
> > whatsoever.
>
> You are being a little flippant. Please tone it down.
> My 1982 Toyota has been my only vehicle for the last 11 years and has
> been very reliable. I would have thought a 1991 Vanagon might do as
> well, but apparently I can not expect it to. I have owned VW's in the
> distant past and they were VERY reliable but they were aircooled and VW
> mechanics and parts were everywhere. Forgive me for saying so but the
> Vanagon seems to be a bit of a 'lemon' from what I have been hearing on
> this list.
It depends on which one you get, among other things. I chose to get
an air-cooled because I didn't want to deal with the coolant/head problems
on the Wasserboxer, or the orphan engine. Of course, this makes getting
air conditioning and heat a bit more of a challenge, but so be it. While
some folks are being a bit flip, it sounds like you don't believe in vehicles
with soul, so you probably should get one of the Japanese automatons. They
are more reliable overall, but they lack something. And none of them can
be had at any realistic price with all the cool toys my Westy has in it. :)
And if something does go wrong with a Toyota or Honda, there is damned little
chance of saving any money by fixing it yourself.
I had a friend with a mid or late 80s Honda Accord. The carb needed rebuilt,
and I was shocked to find out that a rebuilt Honda carb costs almost $650
(without any labor ie no remove and install, just the part). One guy said
he would rebuild the carb for $250 if somebody pulled it and brought it
to him. I gathered my tools and went out to the Honda. Then I went back
inside for a camera and took pictures of the carb with the air cleaner
removed. Then I looked at it, poked at it, and eventually said hey, this
ain't my car, I ain't doing it. I think it would be MUCH easier to pull
the aircooled engine out of my Vanagon than to remove that stupid Honda
carburetor. VWs are just better for folks who like to work on their own
cars, at least the aircooled ones are, even if they lack a little in the
power department.
Also, the Vanagon is a MUCH better vehicle than the older busses. More
comfortable, better driver, etc. I have driven both, make mine an aircooled
Vanagon Westy.
--
John S. Cronin phone: (404) 894-6164
Office of Information Technology Operations and Engineering 0715
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
Internet: john.cronin@oit.gatech.edu
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