Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 05, 2023

Yay, Toni! She’s a great role model for Bets.

Also I’m increasingly seeing the purpose of this arc to be about Gunther’s growth. As someone said yesterday, he’s not going to let her pull him under.

Why so surprised? The guy with the glasses is acting like the judge from My Cousin Vinny during the courtroom scene when Mona Lisa Vito explains the inner workings of cars, especially the car at the crime scene.

Toni to the rescue. Why is it I expect to see some “Old Married Folks” discussion with the “Shack Ups Jr.” in the upcoming strips?

Yup, leave it to Toni to tell Bets the truth about the condition of the Vanagon.

On the bright side, she’s got a really nice rear fender.

1990 VW Vanagon fuel injection issues…. see if the air flow meter is still acting up….

14-15 MPG.

Gas: around $3.50 – $4 a gallon.

I hope Bets is raking in the profits from monetized social media content, or this is going to be a short road trip.

Always respect someone who Know’s their stuff.

They need to either walk away now our walk back from the breakdown later…

Please note that everyone in this town is the same height.

…and the seats disappeared.

I told you yesterday that the Wasserboxer was trouble.

Why don’t they just ask the guy what is wrong with the van, in his opinion??

Toni knows her stuff. I still think they can find a way better van for their adventure.

Anyone who lets their car get that covered with filth.. you just KNOW they’ve treated it poorly.

.

So this is the first time Bets has ever met Toni or Brad?

Toni is the ultimate car guy?

Toni is here and all is right with the World. Nice of them to actually show up. And without Shannon for a change.

Gunther?

You’ll want to be sure to invite Brad and Toni to your wedding when you get married, to whoever you decide to marry one day.

After all, B&T DID invite you to their wedding back in 2016.

Brad is very proud of his Beloved Toni.

The next thing we know, the van guy will ask Toni to fix his van so he could keep it and tell Bets to shove off and find another camper van.

“uh” sounds like the limit of Mr. Seller’s vocabulary.

Great to see Brad and Toni in the dailies again!

“Millions of fans!”. Ewww! Give me a break! I can’t even count the times I did not want to read Luann bc she is in the strip. It takes a lot for a cartoon to make you feel ill – but her character can bc she is narcissistic and nauseating. Once more its bad enough there are real people like this – but to willingly read more into your life – no thanks.

Hoping Betsy’s exit will be soon. She cannot keep pushing Gunther like she does.

Toni does know her stuff and Brad is very proud of her.

Do you really want to buy a vehicle from a guy who

(a) wears a baseball cap (scientifically proven to reduce IQ by ten points)

and

(b) wears it backwards (another ten point reduction)

?

Maybe “Greg” will sell it cheaply?

I like the license plate.

If it’s world-upside-down humor when a woman is knowledgeable, then that world right-side-up is sexist.

Toni D to the rescue! Props to Brad for simply telling Gunther that Toni D is the one with automotive know-how!

BTW; “Mr Seller” is suddenly at a loss for words. We hear more “ums” from him than a nervous novice doing his first presentation at a Toastmasters meeting!

I had a 1987 Vanagon Syncro. It was one of the 17 Volkswagens we’ve had. She’s getting it right about what to look for.

A ‘90 Vanagon? Amazing it’s still on the road. Not that far removed from the Chevy Vega in that respect.

I said this yesterday.

Go, Toni!

Let’s welcome Brad and Toni back into the weekday spotlight. Hopefully Karen doesn’t screw them over

1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Value – $845-$8,102 That is quiet a range. I guess it depends on how well it has been maintained over the last 33 years.

IT’S TONI! SHE’S ALIVE!

I had a 90 VW Vanagon, and it did overheat, and that did lead to bad cylinder heads. Good call Toni! VW famously made a Vanagon “Westphalia” camper with a sink and an icebox with a pop up roof. That’s what they should be looking for.

Looks like that lemon-salesman has met his match in Toni, LOL!!

I wonder if she services the fire engines, too.

Toni reminds me of Betty in the “Archie” comics—only wiser. When Betty repairs Archie’s jalopy, he then uses it to date Veronica!!

I say yield to the expert.

Look underneath for rust. They were known for that too

Toni just became the most interesting person in the scene, and Bets stopped live-streaming. Shocking.

Yeah, my mom’s caught fire in the driveway once. My 64 microbus never did. Sold it in 88 for the same price as new and it goes to car shows now that it was restored. I still kinda miss it

Brad couldn’t be more proud. He loves seeing how amazing Toni is as a mechanic and has no problem recognizes that she’s much better than him. What a wonderful couple! I think it’s a shame Bets is not recording this moment, it could have been a hit post. But it could be a form of respect for those who are helping them, which is VERY good.

Junk sales guy just peddles ‘em. Doesn’t know anything about ’em. Greg seems like he is ready to go.

At least after Toni finishes going over the van, they won’t be overpaying for it.

Toni to the rescue. I think the introduction of the four characters here has significance beyond just the car skills that Toni possesses, but time will tell

Edmonds gives the value of a 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon with no options and driven roughly 12,000 miles per year would be worth about $1,371 for one in “Clean” condition.

LoL definitely not a guy

Personalized license plate I see – Greg 7-5.

Brad and Toni meet Bets for the first time.

again people…. it IS a comic strip.

They should just get a Tesla model X.

Amazing she would be that familiar with a van that was manufactured about 10 years before she was born.

They need to skip over this trash can and find a real campervan or small motor home. Had a relative that owned one and the most enjoyment they got out of it was the day they sold it.

Okay I LOVE how Toni and Brad were called!! Brings back old memories of Brad always working on his car when Toni Daytona was dating Dirk The Jerk LOL

Step back and let the professional take a look!

If you ask the owner what is wrong with his van, he will say “It runs perfect, nothing wrong with it”

odds are 2-1 that Toni will tell Betts and Gunther to take a pass on that Vanagon.

One of the many reasons Brad loves her~

Nothing scream reliably like a ‘34 year old vehicle. Yes, we’re on model year 2024. BTW, if that Vanagon was a camper version – such as Westfalia – then those sell for well over $15,000 up to $20,000+. Also, better have a metric tool kit.

Ah, the VW Vanagon – the 90s version of my dream car – the Microbus. (along with 007’s Aston Martin DB5 or the Shelby Cobra)

Go Toni! Ms. Vito couldn’t have said it better!

Good move Gunner to get someone that knows cars

From her shirt, It looks like Bets tested the weight by letting the car run over her.

i find it odd that license plate reads “Greg 7/5” :D

Clever and uplifting character integration going on here. Bets could learn a few things from Toni.

What brand of filter you been using? … UH? ….. Has he been changing filters, oil, etc? Yay! Toni is on it!

My neighbor up the street had some kind of heart problem which kept him in the house for a few months. His pickup got mighty dusty, so this van might not be too bad.

It doesn’t even seem to have that pop-up bed thing on the roof.

What happened to the free van?

Atta girl……..

Bets didn’t want to go on a road trip until Irma suggested it, now she is eager to go. Bets doesn’t seem to have a mind of her own, she is too easily influenced by others. I don’t think Gunther wants to go at all, he is just trying to keep Bets happy.

check the tip out and pop up as well, Toni, if either one leaks the road trip is doomed when the eventual inevitable rainstorm hits..

According to NASCAR, Toni will need a sledge hammer and duct tape. They fix everything.

Bad cylinders will make it sound like a Gatling gun

The oil filter question answer should be Wix or Napa Gold.

Well played, Greg, well played!

Never expected Toni to completely dominate the arc!

Would that all “car guys” were like her!!

If it was B-wad bending over that engine, his butt-crack would be showing.

Cue Marisa Tomei on the Witness Stand in My Cousin Vinny..,

Either treated it poorly OR just ignored it completely – he might have a collector car / van and not have a clue about it’s value.

obviously takes after Mona Lisa Vito

Look at Brad being an admiring and respectful husband. Go Brad!

Love it. Reminds me of My Cousin Vinny! Go Toni!

Bets is not thinking “Love nest to park in the driveway”. She is thinking “Road trip”. This van needs to be roadworthy and safe.

Toni’s hips are much narrower in panel #2 than in #1.

You’re in good hands now Gunther and Betts.

Brad and Toni made it into a daily strip??

Okay,where’s the r eal writer and what have they done with himher?

I’m sure they could have found something older. Something that doesn’t require an emissions test to be licensed.

There are a lot of folks who have older vehicles that have been sitting around for years who decide to sell them. It’s not a crime to sell something that needs a lot of work, and this guy admitted that it needs repairs. What I am wondering is WHY, of all vehicles, Irma chose this one to steer Bets toward?? Is that all Irma thinks Bets deserves?? Some dirty broke van that’s been sitting out in a pasture for years? She knows Gunther and Bets have zero mechanical abilities.

I love it! I’ve known babes who know a huge amount about cars.

I hope it’s a Wix oil filter.

Up and at em’,Gunther/Don’t be such an old stick-in-the Gorilla Glue.

And while you’re at it,take a look at the Woodie Station Wagon on the next block.

Reminds me—Dad had a garage, kept other people’s cars running; Mom liked to tinker, kept our cars running.

I’m not misogynistic at all. After all, I’m reading a comic named after a girl. But I love to see women that knows about cars and sports. It’s not that women shouldn’t know about those things but I’m not around a lot of women that do. Although, my wife does know a lot of football and basketball athletes.

Pretty clear the seller has no idea what he’s selling; only that it’s a junker and wants to palm it off to some sucker. Too bad the pros are here!

Isn’t the name of the filter printed on the filter? Just look at the dip stick to see how dirty the oil is.

1990 Vanagon? I don’t usually gloat, but Yours Truly accurately identified this one!

Is it my imagination or is Bets kinda high maintenance.

They’re going to yank the heads to check them? That’s a lot of work.

Bets and Gunther need to talk about whether both of them want to do this and how much to spend before committing to a road trip, much less buying a camper.

So, the dynamic duo (Bets and Gunther) fortunately acted wisely and are getting some advice from Pitts’ very own “Click and Clack”….. Toni and Brad. That is wise.

With Toni (and Brad’s) know-how…. it seems very likely that Bets and Gunther will be taking their journey in this Red Vanagon. It should be an interesting set of stories…… hopefully…. if Greg (and Karen) choose to give us these stories.

Even though the Vanagon is 33 years old….. we have to remember this is also California. Cars last better out there. In my neck-of-the-woods…. winter salt on the roads would have eaten away the body and the undercarriage. Presuming the Vanagon had even just “average” care over the years…. it could be brought back into shape.

I still wonder what will happen when Fall semester begins? Living in a van in the Summer…… feels carefree and easy….. living in a van during the normal daily work and grind of college courses….. a helluva lot harder.

like i said-i see vanagon, i say run. toni is right.

I think it was in the first episode pf “King of the Hill” there was a bit where Luann Platter, Hank Hill’s blonde niece told him all the things she’s done to his truck for him, something like change the oil, re-gaped the spark plugs and other stuff, making her a car savant even while in every thing else she was dumb as dish. I thought that was a redeeming quality but the producers quickly dropped that idea, robbing Luann Platter of ANY redeeming qualities.

Also A vw van in the Bleeker:The recharable dog (about 20 years older)

Glad that Greg brought Brad and Toni back into the strip. I miss those characters

If you have ever followed the cartoon “Zits” there is an underlying theme of the main character Jeremy and his friend Hector purchasing and refurbishing a 60’s VW bus. I think they’re still working on it.

…I was wondering why the license plate was personalized to OREO…

at which point I did a D’oh and realized it’s “Greg.”

Toni’s attitude will knock about 10% off the asking price.

Hurray for “car-guy” Toni DeGroot! She brings beauty and wisdom and a steady hand to the strip that was headed for chaos. Brad is a decent stand-by, if needed….

Someone on my street is trying to sell a ’91 Cavalier.

Lol. I love Toni. What a girl.

I’m like that – my wife’s dad was a mechanic, but I’m a computer tech.