Realistic lifespan of Westys

[captjon1959]

I bought a 1984 Westifalia and am in the process of putting considerable money into the thing. As I do this I keep wondering how long I'll be able to continue to get parts and such. I see that VW is discontinuing parts (like radiator hoses, etc) for my model year and I am concerned that I'm dumping lots of money into a vehicle that will be difficult (or at a point impossible) to maintain in a matter of years. Any opinions. Please note, I live in the US - Michigan, nonetheless, the home of the US auto industry - so I don't think we have as many VW's as in Europe. I want another 25 years out of this vehicle - am I a dreamer? Of course if Obama gets his way, it may be illegal to drive an older vehicle like this, but that's another matter altogether. Any informed opinions are appreciated.

[kevtherev]

You may well find your replacement resources are a bit better than ours here.
try http://www.thesamba.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; vanagon forum.. for help with gathering parts.

No your not dreaming pal, I imagine splitty and bay owners went through this period of difficulty, but they are still being refurbished now albeit largely by after market suppliers.
I never bought my vanagon for investment purposes, so putting money into it doesn't bother me, I just get huge smile dividends each month.
tell you what, make it another ten years... then decide if you still want fifteen more

[gsmoke]

I agree with Kev.
If you want your van to last 25 years, with enough effort you will make it happen.
Hopefully, most difficult to get parts will be re-manufactured and any impossible parts will be overcome by modifying or thinking 'outside the box'.
I hope to keep my van for the next 25 years.
I cant remember who said 'the best way to predict the future is to invent it' - that works on lots of levels.

[Simon Baxter]

Radiator hoses won't be a problem, I'm just having them made in silicone as well as the rest of the cooling system pipes for the JX engine.
I have the prices, just need to pay for the tooling after my jollies.

[Red Westie]

Supply and demand.......where there is still a demand there will always be supply..simple economics. And Simon (Brickwerks) is a fine example of that philosophy.
Martin