Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (May 2002, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sun, 26 May 2002 19:34:09 +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:      Best van ever designed (was: Why do we love that damn van so
              much...)
In-Reply-To:  <20020526033734.93451.qmail@web12202.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>ITS THE BEST VAN EVER DESIGNED.....EVER

No way. Not looked at objectively. The body is great, the suspension is great (and therefore the handling). But it is seriously let down by unreliable mechanicals, poor electrics and crap-quality plastics and switchgear; unergonomic controls. The cargo bay is compromised by the engine hump; this could probably have been deleted by having no ancillaries atop the engine and a slightly higher floor.

The best... has to be the cabover current-model (1989-present) Toyota Hiace. Solid, safe, reliable, big, ergonomic everything, decent handling, available with a huge variety of engines, body types, 3 different van wheelbases and levels of trim from bare bones to ultraluxurious. And a flat cargo bay floor. All it lacks is an IRS option, though upmarket versions get torsionbar rear, and walkthrough. 4WD optional, including full-time and part-time versions. And with good looks to top it off, and Toyota's top-quality ergonomics, plastics, switchgear, fit and finish. Available with full camper conversions, including poptops.

Toyota Hiace Engines 2.0 gas 2.4 gas 2.0 diesel 2.4 diesel (turbo oprtion) 2.8 diesel 3.0 EFI turbodiesel Auto or 5-speed manual; floorshift or column cartspring or torsionbar rear SWB, MWB (=VW length) or LWB RWD, part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD normal or high roof top-hinged normal tailgate or (rare) dual vertical-hinged doors single or dual sliders optional small rear wheels with no wheelarches intruding into floor electric locking, windows, morrors, dual aircon etc

-- Andrew Grebneff 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.