Date:         Tue, 1 Mar 2005 20:51:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Vanagons vs. Bays vs. Splitties vs. New Bus?
In-Reply-To:  <200503012232.j21MWbWX003177@wopr.Colorado.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> I have never driven/owned a
> bay but love my 84 & 65 Westys. When ever I have the chance to do a long
> road trip, I will take the 84 any day over the splitties for obvious reasons
> like HEAT, but some shows like Kelley Park, OCTO, etc. you have to have
> thick skin to show up in a post 1967 bus.

I've owned a '61, '67, '76, and two Vanagons, '81 aircooled
and '87 Syncro Westy.

I rate the '76 at the bottom in terms of long distance driving
comfort.  The splitties, you could lean forward and rest on
the steering wheel.  The Vanagons, you sit very comfortably and
drive, but the loafs were somewhere in the middle and there was
not as natural a way to sit and drive for a long time.  Maybe I'd
put the '81 at the top--light, quick and responsive and very
comfortable to drive.  (Mine is a 7-passenger, so lighter than
a Westy.)  OK, noisy....  Well, nothing like the '67 Kombi!

                           Richard A Jones
                           Boulder, Colorado