Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 06, 2023

Dooooomed… Should have taken Auto Shop in High School, Gunther! ;)

Sounds like it’s going to be an expensive repair.

I still think they need to find something bigger, if they’re going to be living in their van some of the time.

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Even though they shouldn’t, my guess is they will purchase the van… and live to regret it. lol

Someone’s acronym happy

If anyone cares, that was Air Flow Meter, Throttle Position Sensor and Engine Control Unit.. and seemingly Greg & Karen don’t realize that the ECU and Digifant were the same thing.

I say put a Ki-“Bosch” on this purchase.

No, Gunther, you are not doomed. Toni will save you.

ask her if she would buy it…

We’re past GnK Switcheroo Day (as 1212 calls it; aka hump day) and the ssurprise seems to be that Gun and Bets will be spending summer break working with Toni (and Brad?) on this camper van.

What’s up with that!?!? 8^ O

I’m honestly half convinced at this point this was really just a scheme to break these two up. I mean Irma REALLY never seems to like bets, I should’ve been more supscious about her being at all nice, but I assumed it was a neat character turn instead of some scheme to break her son’s relationship up.

Best solution if they really gonna buy it. Take Toni with on the trip.

Mr Seller’s shirt changed from PEACE to PANIC. Too funny!

Basically Gun & Bets need Toni’s advice on whether to buy this thing.

“Digifant is the name Volkswagen gave to its in-house derivative of the Bosch L-Jetronic computerized engine control system. The system tightly controls fuel delivery and spark to balance exhaust emissions and fuel economy with acceptably high performance.”

No, Gunther, you aren’t doomed. Just put your foot down and say no to Bets. No road trip. Remember Peru and Rosa? Adventures don’t agree with you. Don’t let Bets steamroll you into this. She just wants to escape the monotonous life at your guesthouse and thinks a road trip is the answer. You need to find a better solution to your co-habitation issues with Bets – like getting an apartment. More logical and less radical. Yes, it means you have to get a job, Gunther. Time to grow up.

No Gunther you are not doomed Toni knows she doing.

In the end, the seller is just going to say something like, “I’m selling it as is — take it or leave it.”

Take a trip to Hawaii for the summer?

Notice the word on car seller dude’s shirt has changed from peace to panic.

EXCEPT! If Brad and Toni get involved in a serious discussion about long term relationships with Gun and Bets. That may go somewhere.

OR Brad and Toni drop out and go on the road trip with Gun and Bets. WOW! “Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice.” all over again! 8^ )

Gunther, the eternal optimist—NOT!!

I wonder if Irma’s original motive was for Bets to go on a road trip ALONE and either become hopelessly lost or killed when that defective piece of junk blew up! What she never counted on was her “baby” going along!!

One thing I remember about VW vans is that they had a lot of interior room because the engine was flat under the rear, as in the Bug. This makes the inside more space efficient. And let me add this quote from a customer who actually has a 90 Vanagon

‘When I bought my Vanagon, I never thought that nearly 20 years later I would be writing a review about it. But with nearly 200,000 miles on the original drive train, numerous Boy Scout camp outs, hauling firewood, stuffed bears, cages of chickens and exotic birds, it has become a part of my family’s history. It is simple enough to do most of my own repairs, extremely durable and reliable. Fuel economy is fair considering the lack of aerodynamics. It truly is a vehicle that you can own your entire life." They weren’t fast but they got you there, so repaired, updated this might be the PERFECT vehicle for two broke college student’s romantic adventure. Those wishing the opposite, or disparaging Bets in particular might look at themselves? Nah they won’t, they love to hate too much.

Its also prolly low on blinker fluid an the muffler bearings are noisy

I thought she was joking – but there is in fact a digifant. I’d better keep taking my car to the shop for repairing.

You lost me, Toni. Not with the mechanical stuff, but when you stopped bending over and stood up.

Bets and Gunther need to talk to Jeremy from ZITS about owning a problematic VW camper.

I am used to seeing that same glazed dumbfounded look from clients when I explain to them their computer’s problems to them. They eventually come around and say “Just tell me how much it is going to cost to fix it.”

Let us hope Gunther does not have the gift of prophecy….

If I had been in Gunther’s place, I would have heard “Buy a different van”.

Bets seems happy to have met a formidable girl like Toni. She thinks all their problems with the van are over. Gunther doesn’t think so…. This perfectly shows the difference between their personalities and how much more realistic Gunther is, whereas Bets follows emotions and always hopes everything goes well. I hope Brad will translates for them what Toni said to do and that the chat is not limited to the van, but about what they are going to do, if they know what to do in emergencies and if they (Gunther) are sure they want to go on a road trip.

The bonus being if you pulled into a local car dealer’s service dept. they’ll start off right away with a $175 diagnostic fee. Toni, just saved that fee to use towards parts they’ll need.

They should do themselves a favor and not buy the Dooms-Mobile and leave the sucker’s bargain. Bets solve her living problem with the four of them figuring it out in the end? My guess? Saturday fixes everything!

Dude’s shirt reads PANIC. Yesterday, it read PEACE.

He knows he is in trouble with Toni lol!

The thing seems to be a breakdown waiting to happen. The expression on the face of the guy selling it indicates that he’d been hoping to unload this lemon on some suckers who didn’t know what a clunker it is, and he’s realizing that’s not going to happen.

Hilarious. Toni has gotten the whole group baffled and the Seller’s shirt and facial expression say it all

I have a soft spot for Vanagons, our first one saved my life when I was broadsided, because I sat so high, the car that hit me, actually hit under where I was sitting. Did manage to break the solid metal seat back in half, along with some ribs. The second one was the camper, broke my heart to sell it (to a person who came with cash in hand) but because of post-polio I could no longer hold the clutch in. That was a sad day.

She’s just making stuff up. My doctor does the same thing.

He still has his eyes on Toni’s tush

Yay, Knutes t-shirt has returned! Switching from Peace to Panic.

The bottom line, Toni.

Should they buy this hunk of junk?

Or ask Tiffany if they can move into the manse for the Summer?

“PEACE” is now “PANIC”

Googled Vanagons. They do have a standard small sink and two burner propane stove. With a bench style back seat that folds down into a bed. However, they are lacking in, shall we say, ‘facilities’. Showers are usually connected on the outside, and you have to get one of those portable cassette toilets (yeah, Gunther is really gonna love that).

Yeah, this is looking more like a “get rid of Bets” scheme. I’m picturing Gunther telling his mom that Bets bought the van, to Irma’s delight. But when he tells her about the places they’ll visit, she’ll say “Wait, were you going with her?”.

Just make sure the flux capacitor is working and they’ll be fine!

Sounds a bit advanced for a Vanagon.

Check! RESET!

Anyone else notice his shirt changed from “PEACE” to “PANIC”?

Either the trip will pull them closer together or they will split up. I’m guessing split because I think in anger, Gunth will finally speak his mind about her constantly updating their fans on their life.

Yeah, uh huh, what she said.

Ok ok, Slow down there Charlie Brown. You’re not doomed yet.

Last time Gunther went on a “trip” with his girlfriend, he ended up in South America…

Since they can’t understand what she’s saying, I can tell that Toni knows what she’s doing.

In layman’s terms, this is a piece of cr*p.

These two are probably going to go into major debt fixing all those 30 year old parts, not to mention how screwed they would be if they had to engineer a quick fix while on the road. I still say they should rent a ride for this, but it could be fun if they decided to double up and vay-cay with Toni and Brad.

To be fair I didn’t understand what Toni is saying either. I’m interested in where this is going.

Amazing that Toni is doing all this with no tools. Is she giving instructions to Brad, telling him what to do?

I love that the seller’s shirt says ‘panic’ heehee!

And I’ll want that TPS report on my desk by Friday.

It is what it is…holy crap!

I’m getting the feeling here that even if this road trip ends up happening, we the readers won’t get to see any of it. It’ll cut away when they’re leaving and instead we’ll go back to following, say, Bernice.

Usually I say, “good to know”, but in this case I’ll skip it

Bets-Optimist, Gunther-Pessimist.

In the land of the blind it is good to know a few who can see.

A little advice for G&B; if you’re gonna buy the van? Then get up there, and see what doodads and doohickeys Toni is talking about. At least ask if the guy still has the operators manual.

How many times is this guy going to change his shirt?

Gunther, you were doomed the moment you let Bets manipulate you.

It used to be enough to be a mechanic, now you have to be an electrical engineer

I just love that the seller’s shirt went from “peace” to “panic”

All this electronics and computerization just ruins working on your own cars.

The Guy wearing the Panic shirt is a panic. It said Peace yesterday and Peace and Greg in 2 different panels on the 4th.

Not something you can fix with handwaving.

So boring. The premise that these two love birds are going to live together in a van is just stupid. Where are they going to do their schoolwork? I’m sure they both need computer and internet access beyond cell phone service. Where will they go to shower and take care of personal stuff – truck stops? Once Gunther moves out, I’m not so sure Al and Irma are going to let them come around to use the facilities. If Gunther goes for this vagabond gypsy life style just to appease this wacked out girl he is just out of his mind. He has a nice place to live, comfortable and peaceful, and it’s free. A place that will help him finish school with high grades. Bets is not a good influence, and she is so selfish that she doesn’t see what she’s doing to “the man she loves”.

I owned 2 of them and I don’t understand what Toni’s saying except that it has something to do with the fuel injection. Vanagons are tanks, treat them right and they’ll get you home.

How is she able to diagnosis all these problems just looking without any equipment? Or is she just listing what they should have the mechanic check?

Does Toni happen to speak with a Scottish accent? “I’m givin’ ‘er all I can, Cap’n, but I canna change the laws of physics!”

Shuld also check the TAS (Terrain Avoidance System) just in case

And the T-Shirt message goes from Peace to Panic!

You’re not doomed Gunther, just ensure the salesman, who looks lost, pays for the repairs.

six of one half a dozen of another

Mr. Seller’s shirt reflects Gunther’s worry. I’m glad someone knows what Toni is talking about. The question is, since they can’t invite Toni along on their adventure, will the van run and not break down! =:-o

They ARE doomed.

If you need me I’ll be down at Fred Basset’s…

AND why does that dude’s T-shirt say “Panic?”

Unfortunately…. MOST EVERY vehicle repair is now expensive. Volkswagens have been pricier lately as well….. not like the air-cooled days nor even like the early Rabbits and Jettas.

But, with all things said regarding the pricey repairs…. if BOTH Bets and Gunther DO really want to have this road-trip, live in a camper sort of adventure…. I think the Vanagon (especially if a Westfailia) is a good choice for younger folk out in the California region:

1. Its age makes it more affordable to purchase.

2. While pricey to repair, it is old enough that there are FEWER complex things that will go wrong compared to more “newish” vehicles.

3. The Vanagon Westfalia is a “classic” vehicle (in a similar vein to the VW Microbus (its predecessor)) for these sorts of adventures.

4. If they can afford to get it working, it will retain a decent resale value compared to its purchase price.

5. There are A LOT of easy access stores with VW parts in California.

My read right now is that Gunther is becoming less convinced he wants to partake in this sort of adventure. Bets seems as fond of it as she did initially. I believe Toni (and Brad) will get be able to get the vehicle “up to snuff” quite readily if the dynamic duo has the cash to afford the purchase.

If they DO embark on this adventure….. a) will Gunther be continually nervous, and fidgety and worried about breakdowns, running out of gas, and a whole bunch of maladies (in a Don Knotts-esque sort of fashion), and/or b) will Bets make the trip into just a giant media platform for her fans?

Or, just MAYBE…… just M A Y B E…… Bets and Gunther will each shed some of their own personal baggage and foibles…… and BOTH grow as INDIVIDUALS and as a COUPLE?

What is this gibberish?….. Come on Gunther. You are a technical person. Surely you can learn whatever it is that Tony is talking about.

All I heard from Toni was “Blah, Blah, Blah, theres something wrong with the Left Phalange!!”

The guy’s tee shirt applies to everyone but Toni.

If she gives up being an EMT, she could open her own auto repair.

“Panic,” the used vehicle hustler, has met his match in the gloriously incomprehensible Toni! (As for me, I’m with Gunther and Bets today; I have no idea what Toni’s talking about.)

1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Value – $845-$8,102 | Edmunds