Date:         Tue, 24 Feb 2004 23:32:03 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: small car VW engine conversion
In-Reply-To:  <BAY10-DAV545ijb1u2Z000006fb@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Tue, 24 Feb 2004, Aristotle Sagan wrote:

> Because outside of vanagons, minivans suck.
>
> Don't like them, never liked them, never gonna like them. Everytime I've
> driven them, I am always glad to be rid of them. I feel like I'm driving the
> livingroom couch. (With a couple of armchairs thrown in).
>
> Eliminate minivans, and what's left to do what I need to do?
>
> Exploders - Blazers - Cherokees.

I suppose it's a matter of taste.

I've driven my dad's Explorer and I hated it.  Roughest ride of *any*
passenger vehicle I've ever driven.  It rides like a 3/4 ton pickup with
overload springs and an empty bed.  It's also top-heavy, but has a
steering ratio more appropriate to a sports car than a truck, so it feels
twitchy.  I can totally understand how someone would flip one after
blowing a tire.

But it looks kewler than a minivan, and has lots of luxury stuff inside,
and it's quiet and powerful.  So he likes it.


I also had an '87 Jeep Wagoneer (like a Cherokee, but a lower trim level)
as a company vehicle for a while.  Didn't like that either.  It had an
oddly low seating position and all the pedals were offset way to the left
to make room for a massive transmission tunnel.  Not very comfortable at
all.  If I'm going to climb up that high to get in a vehicle, it ought to
at least have a flat floor.


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon