Referring to my Ausytralian-market 84 Caravelle GL (Type 25 T3): LIKES -width -lack of a VW engine -it's NOT a camper -appearance (not as good as a current Hiace but still good-looking: a box will never look dated) -no side-marker lights/reflectors -handling on twisties -solidity -rust-resistance -interior room: carry 7+ people WITH their luggage -seats/upholstery: comfy, robust, upmarket-looking -walkthrough design -good dust-sealing (unlike Mitsubishi vans) -availability of aftermarket goodies & modifications, mechanical & otherwise -ease & range of repowering options -great e-mail lists -you can still buy a new one (from RSA) -good ground clearance with low floor DISLIKES -width -lack of installed engine (waiting for bits & more money for SVX/G50 swap) -it's NOT a camper -taillights - too small, too low-mounted, not wraparound -dashboard/instruments/controls/switches - cheap & nasty -indirect instrument lighting -RHD vehicle retains LHD column switchgear (typical cheap European trick) -badly-designed door locks (can't lock driver's without key unless modified0 -sliding-door handle design in & out (difficult to use; fragile... VW, take note as to how the Japanese do it!) -sliding door impossible to close properly by VW novices -weak trans (can't handle a 174hp V6) -poor driver's seat adjuster design (stiff & sticky) -ridiculous cooling system design -fueltank ditto (all those leaking seals) -semitrailing-arm rear suspension (camber changes; old Bay trailing-arm design better in this regard) -not as much ground-clearance than earlier vans -poor interior lighting (not bright enough; no light running from tailgate) -fixed rear seats not quick-removable (Splits/Bays were great...one-man removal easy) -spare-tire bin not electrically lowered/raised -lack of small-item storage bins -nasty too-small glovebox -fuses inside glovebox in RHD vehicles -wipers sweep when washer squirted (damages dry glass when wipers run before glass wetted) -no intermittent on rear wiper -total lack of used parts in NZ It's always a lot easier to find faults than good parts. Overall I love it.
Andrew Grebneff 165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand fax 64 (3) 479-7527 <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> www.goingplatinum.com/member/vw1 www.my-successcenter.com/member/vw1 www.aciimoney.com/index.shtml?vw1 VW & Toyota vans, Toyota diesels and Macintoshes rule |
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