Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 02:57:58 -0500
Reply-To: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Subject: Re: reality check
In-Reply-To: <386045DB.19B80606@tiac.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Your mech will be driving that Lexus ONLY if you go see him instead of
doing the work yourself.
When I got my 83.5 Westy back in 93 I had less expierence than you seem
to have. Yet I have changed out the Head Gasket, replaced a water pump,
replaced the blower motor, replaced the ....., all myself with little but
the Bently and the folks on the list for guidence. One thing I have learned
is that it just aint that hard. With the single exception of the
transmission there is nowhere I now fear to tread. I have, in fact,
discovered a masochistic side of me that actually enjoys it! I have had a
lot of pink slips for various cars in my 50 years but this Beast is MINE in
a sense that none other has ever been.
Another thing I have learned is that it just aint that expensive either!
That head gasket job cost $200. The water pump $80 and so on. Yes, it is
possible to get really tagged for a repair but this is true for any vehicle.
My neighbor bought a 2 year old Explorer with 45000 miles. She drove it four
months and had to replace the transmission!
Off hand I would say I put in about $800 worth of repairs in the 7 years
I have had her. Around $500 of that came in the first part of the first
year. I had my doubts at the end of that first year but I stuck it out and I
am now a VERY happy camper.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of D Welch
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 10:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: reality check
I can change the oil, change a tire, gap spark plugs, change fuses and
vacuum. Is there any hope that owning a newish camper is going to be OK
for me ? I've wanted one forever, and I saw a friend's , and fell in
love. I also have a 1962 MGA so I am not afraid, but will my local
mechanic be driving a Lexus on me ?
Please advise, adventures are one thing, but upside down under the
dashboard looking for Lucas, the Prince of Darkness is another.
Great list, I understand what you're doing, just don't want to do all
that much.
Is there a member who can steer me to the New England Bus God ?
Regards
Daisy
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