Date:         Sat, 19 Feb 2005 16:21:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Chuck Baird <westyman71@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Baird <westyman71@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Just Curious

OK, since it seems to be Eurovan bashing time....

This is from somebody who currently owns 2 Vanagon Wolfsburgs (1-85, 1-86)
and a 03 Eurovan MV.

The MV I bought was used by my local VW dealer for the shuttle van for
its' VW and Dodge dealerships (located across the street from each other)

I know guys that work in 3 of the local dealerships and they all said the
same thing:

Eurovan is a good vehicle, but not worth the money.

Mine stickered for almost 30K new, not competitively priced with Dodge,
Ford, Chevy, etc...  And if you remember, VW actually dropped the sticker
price like 4-6K in 01 or so...

The guys at all 3 dealerships in this area said the same thing...They only
had 1 Eurovan on their lots because VW made them have one.  The one I
bought had been at the dealership almost a year..

By the way, I got a really great price on it, because it simply wouldnt
sell.  If I could have found a MV Weekender andywhere around I would have
bought it.  Thats my only regret not getting the pop-top.

Eurovan besides not being competively priced, was never advertised.  Parts
have to be ordered, because the local dealerships never have any Eurovan
parts in stock, although they usually are delivered the next day or so.

As of late, VW has been bashed in the media over repairs, decrease in
sales, improving products, etc...  So what else is new??  I can remember
as a kid when family members would go to buy a VW (1960's here) and they
were lucky if they got a choice of color, most times it was "Here's what
we got and this is how much it costs" or "Put down a deposit and we'll put
you on the list".   How many other vehicles did you have to adjust the
valves on constantly?  I'm not bashing the aircooled stuff, as I probably
owned 30 or so beetles between 1973 and 1998.  VWs always required more
maintenance than other cars of their era, in my opinion.

Although VW really put the "bus" on the market, other car companies picked
up the ball and really ran with it, especially Chrysler Corp.

Our beloved Vanagons were also overpriced too, compared to other "mini
vans" that were on the market at the time.  I have the window sticker from
my 85, and it was $17,185.  Not even a GL and only had automatic, 4
speaker radio prep, rear window wiper/defroster, power steering and AC.
20 years ago, and over $17K.  The original owner bought it Aug 20, 1985
for $15,620, so he got $1500 off sticker when it was a year old or so
(guess another one that didnt sell).

Yep, I could have gotten a cheaper van than the Eurovan, but I still love
it.  It drives better than any other I have owned or driven (Dodge,
Plymouth, Ford, Chevy, Honda, Nissan, Mazda).  I do a good amount of long
distance traveling and have used the bed numerous times.  It hauls more
than any other "mini van" on the market, due to the large volume of the
interior.

So what is the point....or is there even a point??  Why do people drive
splitties, bays, vanagons, eurovans, etc???  Its all what you want.  I
previously owned 2 bay campers, one a ratty 71 Westy and a really nice 70
Sportsmobile.  They were all special in their own way, but I sure enjoy
driving the Vanagons and the Eurovan a whole lot more, simply due to the
stability they have on the Interstates, in comparison.  I love the
splitties, but the ones I have driven really had me rattled after a short
drive on the freeway.  My hat's off to those who drive those old buses any
distance, especially those who drive them long distances.

It's all what you want.  Love it and have some fun.  Get your hands greasy
and cuss a bit.  Drive yourself half nuts from chasing down some
electrical gremlin.  But just get out there and I'll wave when I see you
going down the highway or buy you a cup of coffee at the local diner and
we can talk story.