Date:         Sun, 15 Aug 1999 17:40:25 -0700
Reply-To:     S_J_ WACKER <s_j_wacker@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         S_J_ WACKER <s_j_wacker@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      milestone (long and perhaps boreing)
Content-Type: text/plain

A couple of weeks ago I took "Big Red", my 90 Carat, in for a smog test.
Only prep I did was add a few onces of Fuelon to the gas tank 48 hours
before the test. Passed with ease!! Last week we took her out for a day
trip on Saturday and she rolled over 160K just as we pulled into the
garage. So, this week end I gave her a good cleaning and waxing. What a
gorgeous Tornado Red, she looks almost as good as the day I bought her
nine years ago. So...how is she holding up, you ask. Pretty darn good!!
Had to change out the alternator around 85k, rebuild the transmission
(manual) around 135k and the AC gave up many years ago, but I didn't need
it real bad (I was in some bad financial times), so I have never repaired
it. Other than that, everything has been normal wear and tear items.
Engine runs great, although lately the mileage has dropped to 16-17 mpg.
Coolant has only been changed once, but I hope to get it changed soon,
she's earned it. These days I use the Syncro as my daily ride and Jo Ann
drives the Audi, so Big Red doesn't rack up the miles like she used to,
the next milestone will be a while.

We are on our third set of Michelin MXL's, over 50k miles each set. I
switched to Synthoil brand oil at 35k and only change oil every 50k
miles, yes, 50,000 miles, but I change the filter every 3-5k miles and
top off. Now you probably think I "baby" this van, well you would be
wrong. I never have to ask people twice to fasten their seat belt. On
trips I usually cruise between 75 and 85. And she has seen the dark side
of 95.

I know, I've bored you enough (those who are still with me), but I love
this van and wanted to share.

Steve and Jo Ann Wacker
San Marcos, Ca.
90 Carat
86 Syncro x two
86 Audi 5000 CS Quattro