Date:         Mon, 26 Jan 2004 09:00:14 EST
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: VW Radio Into Vanagon / Only Newer, Not Better
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 1/25/04 7:35:45 PM, motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< I'd really like to use this head unit for several reasons (factory look,

cassette and CD capability, and the price is right). >>

Running a defunct car has all manner of drawbacks to it, but, I stopped
looking at new cars in 1993, the last year for the Volvo 240.  I've been so
occupied with the concern that any day now, I will be unable to buy consumable parts
for my fleet of passe vehicles (Vanagons, 240's, BMW airheads) that I gave
little thought to something as pedestrian as a radio.

Recently, I was confronted with trying to find an upgrade for the factory
radio in a '90 240 and I have yet to find one that would be sympathetic to the
aesthetic of the car.  The same would apply to changing out a Vanagon radio.
All that seems to be out there are wonders of current technology lit in glowing
blue neon from the Jellybean School of Design.  One of the worst design
evolutions (?) was to remove the 2 control knobs from a car radio only to replace
them with a myriad of pushbuttons begging to be pushed by mistake.  Also, the
tuner sections of these new offerings are less than even an afterthought.

I have a Sony from the early '90's with a queefed out channel.  I will
probably spend more to have it made whole than the cost of a new unit, but at least
it will look right and be easy to use on the fly.

George