Date:         Wed, 25 Apr 2001 21:15:53 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Subject:      Likes & dislikes about my Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

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