Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:29:07 -0700
Reply-To: wilden1@JUNO.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Think Positive (was-SUV Bashing) was Think Positive to start
your new year)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
When I post a Saturday Night Live bated question, I don't really expect a
reply.
Thanks to all of you that replied by P-mail and thanks to all of you that
have thought seriously enough to challenge and post to the list.
I've been on the list long enough for everybody to know I'll have another
Westy soon.
Could be I have a 7 person hauler instead since they weigh in
considerably less than a Westy and would have better performance for
testing my Ceramic Engine modifications.
Stan Wilder
On Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:06:13 EDT Bill Marshall <Willolyn99@AOL.COM>
writes:
> Stan wants to know any outstanding features about the standard
> vanagon.
>
> Stan, I wouldn't own a westy. Too much crap inside that isn't used
> every
> day. My
> 'standard' Vanagon has the fold-out bed in back, that's about it. I
> also
> took out the middle seat, permanently.
> So, this is why I would have a standard vanagon over any other
> vehicle or
> westy:
>
> The interior volume is enormous compared to any vehicle it's size.
> If you
> want that much room in any other van you have to go to a bigger
> model. I've had
> 4 people, including all sorts of their climbing and camping gear,
> all
> relaxing and chatting in the back with plenty of room to spare.
> I've carried as many
> as 10 people in it.
>
> The ground clearance is great, makes for more fun off road. No, it
> isn't a
> syncro, but it still goes romping over the rough stuff if the
> weather is nice.
> Had a helluva trip on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon a couple
> years ago,
> killer arroyos.
>
> The turning radius is WAY smaller than most other vans. Dodge
> caravans are
> impossible in a parking lot.
>
> The A/C blows right in my face, not lost in the back of the van like
> a westy.
>
> Engine is conveniently located -- you don't even have to get out of
> the van
> to fix the engine, change plugs, or add oil. (easier to get to than
> a westy,
> too)
>
> On a similar note, the higher deck in back is really nice for
> loading/unloading heavy stuff. Much better for carting lumber and
> plywood around.
>
> The vanagon has a more 'open' feel to it than other vans. The dash
> is lower,
> and farther away, so you feel less enclosed.
>
> Still sleeps 3 on the big bed, no climbing into the roof.
>
> Side windows open farther than the westy model windows. Yep, go
> check it.
>
> My big cooler probably works better than the westy fridge -- $3
> worth of Ice
> goes for many days at colder temps, doesn't kill the battery ;-)
>
> It looks cool even without the pop-top.
>
> With either a westy or a passenger van, you are still way ahead of
> the
> minivan market. My in-laws have had chrysler minivans for years,
> and I've driven
> them many times. Yuck. Nasty little cave with a crappy turning
> radius that
> scrapes the bottom when you go over a speed bump.
>
> Maybe Stan should ask why the public utilities and the military in
> Europe use
> them so much.
>
> Bill Marshall
> 85 GL Tiico "Pandora's Box"
> Aurora, IL
>
>
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