Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 19:44:12 -0700
Reply-To: "Markov, Greg" <GMarkov@TeachMaster.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Markov, Greg" <GMarkov@TeachMaster.com>
Subject: Vanagon Search
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello,
I am new here. I joined this list in hopes of learning more about the VW
Vanagon, and making an "educated purchase," when the time comes.
I currently drive (and am loving it) a 1977 Mercedes 240D. So, I am partial
to German cars (and to diesels, but more on that later). I have a 1982
Chevrolet 3/4 Ton van that I use for long haul transportation, but I believe
things are about to change for the better. =)
Here are my requirement: a vehicle that will seat 5 comfortably for LONG
drives (we just drove 35 hours straight couple of weeks ago), one that has
good AC (I live in Arizona), and one that will tow a small trailer with no
problems. Also, one that is reliable, gas-efficient, cost-efficient
(another term for cheap), and cool. I am not looking for a Westfalia,
although my friends parent have one, and we've camped in it before, and
those are COOL!!
So, I am writing this e-mail in hopes that you will help me narrow down my
search and steer me in the right direction. I have been doing some reading
on-line, and I think I know some things, but I've been wrong before .....
once. =)
Let's start with the easy part: Cool. No need driving a car that you
aren't happy with, with all the choices, right? I like VW, my sister has a
1981 Rabbit that I have been doing a lot of work on. So, there is no
problem here.
Sitting 5 people comfortably for a long drive shouldn't be a problem either,
I've read about the Weekender, and that sounds like the perfect setup for
us.
Power .... here we start running into problems. I would PREFER a Diesel,
but from what I have read VW diesels aren't the strongest. And
turbo-charging and the TDI conversion seems to be out of the price range.
So, gas it is. No problem. I have read about the Subaru conversion, and
that sounds cool, I even got a nice brochure from KEP already. Also, I have
read about the TIICO conversion. The goal here is good power, gas mileage
and comfortable cruising at 75 MPH. What to do, what to do .... Also, it
sounds like the Subaru will provide good efficiency. (Anything is an
improvement over the 8 MPG I am currently getting in the Chevy).
AC, again, it sounds like the Vanagon isn't that great at cooling, but then
again, there are some mods that could be done, from what I read. I have
read that the 86+ Vanagon's have superior Climate Control, but if I do the
Subaru (or even the TIICO) conversion, does it matter? AC is pretty crucial
in Arizona, as it's usually 100+, and even has hit 120 the last couple of
weeks. =( Also, there won't be any comfortable cruising if we are all
sweating like crazy.
Reliability in Vanagons seems to be decent with good maintenance. I do all
my own work, and I maintain my cars very well. Hardly ever have a problem,
so this should work.
So, so far I have figured that the best way to go would be to find a Vanagon
with a bad motor, and to swap in the KEP Subaru Conversion. It seems that I
could find a decent shell (85 or earlier) for under $1000. Then you figure
in the $3000 for the conversion and other things that need to be fixed. Am
I looking in the right direction here?
Sorry this is so long, but in the end, this might make a pretty good thread
for someone that is just starting the hunt. Please send me ALL of your
opinions, advice, experiences, and pointers. I value all of it.
Thanks you in advance,
Greg
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