Been thinking about selling my girl ? (vanagon)

[vwjedi]

I love my Vanagon, I want to keep my Vanagon. But reality is very poor gas mileage, marginal AC for the kiddies and a future of more repairs (20 years old). I am at a loss. Why? Because I have created the Vanagon I allways wanted, currently everything works, she is paid for,she still has gobs of life left in the drivetrain and many more camping trips to take.

However when we are camping seems to be the only time she is justified or loved by my family. The rest of the year it's "lets take mommy's car" or "what are you doing to the Van now?" So 90% of the time it is just me driving a vehicle that carries seven comfortably. I know that you guys will probly say "no way man!" but I am just having those "maybe I should get a newr vehicle" syndromes.

If so it will probly be this little jem:

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/26/toyota-2007-fj-cruiser-extravaganza/

I know, it isn't even a VW, I would still have two others. What is the input guys?
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1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on...

[amishman]

[Captain Pike]

Keep it, I get the same shit but my kids love to ride in the"star wars republic gunship"
You cannot replace such a ride___ever.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[r39o]

My kids love the Westy. They don't say let's take mommy's car (2002 Jetta TDI.) Sometimes they do want to ride my red Beetle TDI, though. They have not caught on to the coolness of my 1959 Mercedes 190SL as I am usually just working on it (for the last 24 years, but it does not have 60 miles on it now.)

Once a Vanagon is all sorted out and has all the deferred maintainance reversed, they are pretty solid. They would have never made it this long if they were not pretty soilid. Sure you need to keep up on them. Sure they need service. But, they are cheap to keep.

Think about it. A paid for van or a rice rocket with payments that is depreciating. Your choice.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[[email protected]]

[vwjedi]

Well, fortunatly money isn't really the issue right now, as stated it is paid for, obviously. I could afford the FJ, but a fat dwn pmnt would be nice. Space is the issue, I have a two car garage in my new house in a PUD (planned unit development) you know the staunchy, yuppie neighborhood with all the "shit can't be parked on the street" rules and regulations.

That and 4 vehicles, maintanace/insurance/registeration yada, yada,. It just isn't making sence. Hell, I can't even keep my utility/motorcycle trailer because it won't fit in the garage either.

Our diesel Jetta is great, nice, reliable and sips fuel. The '63 Beetle is a classic restoration project that isn't finished yet and not worth shit as of now. That and I really want to keep it. That leaves my beloved 'Noggin, big, burly, gas guzzeling, slow ass, hot ass, beast. I love it, it is like no other vehicle, there will never be anything like it again on the road.

Amishman, can I keep it on your farm?
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1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on...

[vwjedi]

[r39o]

When we lived in our town house, I ended up renting an RV parking right behind my garage door opening. I kept the extra cars right there where I could see them. Put covers on and instantly they became acceptable. Your van could sleep there when needed.

I do not drive our van a lot. At 16-18 mpg it is extra sucky compared to the TDIs. But, wtf? I take it with the kids and don't go far. So it is OK.

Someone coined the phrase of "tent on wheels" in referance to the Vanagon. I consider it an RV. RVs get shitty milage. So what? It is not meant as a daily driver, although a Vanagon can be. I hate the crappy gas milage, but for now, I live with it.

It is all compromise. You need to find your level of pain.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[[email protected]]

[aguabonita]

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, maybe you should get out of the PUD. That way you can have your cake and eat it too.
Kev
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'87 Westfalia, GW 2.2, and some other goodies
'90 Volvo 245

[vwjedi]

Markus- That "overand" model looked saweet. Makes the decision a little more do-able.

Hwy1westy- You don't sound like a jerk at all, I never thought I would be in such a place, however it is just a stepping stone. Put the equity from current home into new one, 25% increase in equity per year so far, ( no CD or IRA can match that) just putting it into even more desirable neighborhood for a while. So yeah, it is short term investment so I can eventually get the acerage with a shop that will house my stable of VWs one day.

Question is now, I once said I wouldn't sell my Van for less than 10K with all the improvments/upgrades and shape it is in. But what is the real world $$$ I could get for it ya know?

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1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on...

[noganav]

Two weeks back, some field work brought me to the East Coast of Canada for a few days of roadtripping. The nearest Vanagon rental place was in Vermont, and charges 700+ per week, so I rented an SUV at a local airport. You guessed it, I got one of these bubbly FJ monsters. Sweet. After a couple hours of driving I was hooked on the cruise control, AC, and highway speeds. But after a cramped sleepless first night I was wishing I had sprung for the Westy. I ended up staying in cheap motels. If you've already got another reliable vehicle, why not use it and keep your Vanagon mint and ready for adventure?

Seats 7, Comfortably Sleeps 4, Repairs + Bad Mileage + Slight Appreciation vs.
Seats 5, Realistically Sleeps 0, Payments + Equally Bad Mileage + Massive Depreciation.

From the pictures I've seen, your van looks like a keeper.

[aguabonita]

This would be a bad time to sell your house anyways as it is a buyers marker for sure.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.
Kev

P.S. Marcus, that link is way cool. Never seen one of those setups before.
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'87 Westfalia, GW 2.2, and some other goodies
'90 Volvo 245

[jeremysmithatshawdotca]

If the mileage really bugs you, a td conversion will set you back a lot less then an FJ I'm sure! You could probably even sell your current engine when you're done the conversion to recoup some of the cost.

[lovedavdubs]

So I'm not the only one drooling over the new Cruiser.

I'm not about to part with my Westy...But damn those things are freaking cool. And I LOVE the blue
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82 Air-cooled Westy (Lola)...My other vehicle is a subway.

[amishman]

[aviatorjames]

I gave my primo '90 Vanagon to my son...
(Had that need-a-new-car syndrome)
...bought a 2004 Honda Pilot.
Wheee!!!

Took it camping a few times...
Made a rack for my hang glider...
Surf trip to Baja...

Sold it and bought my current '89 Wolfsburg Edition!!
...didn't lose a dime!!! ...those things are in demand.

Never looked back!!
Life is good!!!
VANAGON
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...some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints...

[aviatorjames]

I guess it all depends on what you want.

I doubt that Toyota is going get much better mileage.
And I'm certain that you'll be dissapointed the first time you load it up for a trip.

Your bus looks like it would sell for a very good price.
Good luck with your decision.
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...some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints...

[wbx]

[bljones]

Let's do the math:
Vanagon "basic" costs, on an annual basis;
assuming gas is $2.50/ gallon
assuming your van gets 20 mpg.
assuming you drive 1000 miles per month.

= Your fuel cost is $125/ month. $1500.00/yr.

No car payment.

Oil change every three months= $30. $120/yr.

Lube, coolant flush, other miscellaneous service issues, not including repairs= $300.00

Depreciation- $0

Total annual cost: $1920.00


New Toyota FJ:

According to EPA figures, the two wheel drive model's mileage specs out at 18mpg city and 22 mpg hwy... so let's take the average of 20 mpg.

Fuel cost: $1500/ yr.
Monthly payment: $461/mo (@ 8% over 48 months, with $4382 down, on $21910 base price plus tax and freight.) = $5532/ yr.

Insurance costs- unknown, but higher since you will want full coverage on the shiny new FJ, right?

Service costs- another unknown, but just for giggles, let's assume that the dealer will not charge you for regular service.

Depreciation: (assuming 20% per year) $4000.00


Total Annual FJ cost: $9532 /yr.



Bottom line: The new Toyota will cost you $7612 per year MORE to own than your vanagon.

Think about what you could do if you invested just ONE year's "cost of ownership" difference in your vanagon:
Suby conversion, or
Go Westy engine, or
recaros and an interior refurb...in leather.


Only you have to live with the rationalizations.
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

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