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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
Comments: To: DavidM <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
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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