On Tue, 9 Dec 2003, dr wrote: > If you choose a bus of any year, make sure you sit inside and realize > how much less room there is as compared to the vanagon. That was our > deciding factor. good luck! There are other things I really appreciate about my Vanagon vs. the bus I used to own: - Better sound insulation. It's still not *good*, mind you, but it's better! - Rack-and-pinion steering. You don't get that loose, drifty feeling on center that you do in a bus. Even with a worn-out rack the steering feel of my Vanagon is ten times tighter than it ever was on my '75 bus. This makes driving a lot more relaxing. - Something about the aerodynamics or suspension dynamics makes the Vanagon get pushed around less in crosswinds. You still have to be on top of it when you're in a stiff breeze, but gusts no longer cause involuntary lane-changes. - Real electric windshield washers and interval wipers! (It's about time!) - The camper equipment and layout is greatly improved over '75 and earlier models. I think the later model buses had updated equipment more like the Vanagon's. (Beware 1979, though -- it has a one-year-only exhaust system.) - Swivel seats up front. Very nice. When I'm camping I like to turn the passenger seat 90 degrees, rest my feet on the driver's seat, and read the paper while enjoying the view out the windshield. Downsides: - Vanagons aren't quite as charming as the old buses. You don't get as much attention. (For some people this would be considered an advantage.) - Parts availability for the buses is, perversely, somewhat better. The Vanagon aftermarket is catching up, though. - Off-road traction sucks compared to a bus.
David Brodbeck, N8SRE '82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia '94 Honda Civic Si -- For Sale '86 Volvo 240DL wagon |
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