Date:         Mon, 12 Apr 1999 18:23:40 -0600
Reply-To:     Jim & Melody <JiMelody@ZIANET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim & Melody <JiMelody@ZIANET.COM>
Subject:      My Repair Costs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Everyone,
Got my 91 Syncro Adventurewagon back from Albuquerque last night, feeling a
whole lot poorer and not a whole lot better off.  My PM managed to cost me a
little and made me think on the way home about how nice those of you who can
do your own repairs should feel.  Here's what you would save on labor:
Insert for stripped drain plug and oil filter change:        38.00
Replaced front struts:  120.00
Replaced Rear shocks:  40.00
Replaced ball joints:  230.00
Replaced starter:  125.00
Service 8 CV joints, one new joint & 1 used shaft:  325.00
Coolant Service:  64.90
Trans Service:  24.00
F. Diff Service:  24.00
Replaced fuel filter:  25.00
Replaced upper control arm bushings (4):  120.00
Tune:  Replaced spark plugs, compression test (120/125/120/125), timing,
checked air filter, idle, C/O's and Set, checked belts replaced cap and
rotor:  89.90
Front end alignment:  44.50

This is the labor charges only.  So now, pat yourself on the back and take
that $1135.90 and put it to good use.  I've probably got the ability to do
most of these things but with this syncro being our only vehicle and my time
limited and, besides that, I remember GM Bulley saying last summer something
like we should take our vehicles to the experts.  So now we'll be eating
PB&J's for a while.  Worst of it is, I feel no improvement in shocks,
Redline MTL or front end squeaks. One bad inside rear CV joint replaced
definitely took care of my little vibration at 45 mph though and the new
starter is silky smooth without the whine of my old one.

It's great to have syncro back, it really is worth it in the long run.  I
think.

Jim
Alamogordo NM
91 Syncro AW Camper