now this is a cute reply

____________________________________________________________
From:    Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: vanagon syndrome week - Friday

Vanagon Syndrome isn't a mechanical problem.
Vanagon Syndrome isn't an electrical problem.
Vanagon Syndrome is the last of the near fatal stages of Paranoid
Maintenance Syndrome.

Paranoid Maintenance Syndrome begins simply enough with the purchase of
a
Vanagon and quickly escalates into full blown Vanagon Syndrome as the
owner
spends untold amounts of money to support an aging Match Box designed
vehicle.

After the purchase of multiple conflicting manuals to perform basic do
it
yourself repairs and get acquainted with the beast the next move is to
travel cross country to visit others afflicted with Vanagon Syndrome on
long weekends and holidays.
Those most deserving of our sympathies are the individuals that meet
Boston
Bob or other engine rebuilders within the first year of ownership.

There are individuals that have surpassed the purchase price of the
original
vehicle with expenditures in parts and services that in some cases
triple their purchase price.
With some vehicles you can say you're "driving a classic", with
Vanagons you
just have to deny ownership to everyone that doesn't own one because
you know they won't understand.

To those that have tried to live in their vanagons I just have to
remind
them that living like you're homeless is designed specifically for the
homeless and the fact that you can stand 3/4 of the way in a Westy
doesn't
greatly modify the fact that you're living in your car.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics