Date:         Wed, 24 Jan 2001 01:49:49 -0800
Reply-To:     wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Which Vanagon to get?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Hello folks,
I just got on the list, and I realize that this must be a common question.

I have owned two type II's a 75 and a 79...a couple of bugs and a squareback.
I gave it all up and bought a Toyota 4X4 a few years ago which has been a
real pleasure. My truck is a durable, reliable vehicle but my heart has
always been in a Volks and I think I need to get another one.

 From the outset the watercooled syncros of the late 80's / early 90's seem
like the ultimate vehicle. They are the youngest, have the most horsepower,
are told to be more stable in the wind than the 70's vans, and look really
cool with those square headlights.

On the other hand, I was in heaven in my beat to sh*t busses (when they
were running)  so I am sure that I could also be fully content with an
aircooled vanagon...(if it simply would run)
Is it worth going for he 89-91 vans and paying the extra dough?
Which Vanagon model years / engines have been really reliable?



If anyone has any Consumer Reports type weblinks that cover vanagons / type
II's, or any other good stuff a fellow should check out when trying to
figure out what Vanagon to get, please send them on!

Thanks alot...
Jason Loewenstain (Seattle)

P.S. In what year did the design go to the square headlights???