Date:         Tue, 31 May 2005 08:51:19 -0600
Reply-To:     Aaron Pearson <Aaron.Pearson@GXT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aaron Pearson <Aaron.Pearson@GXT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Toyota Hiace images
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

"support is drying up"?  it seems like online parts availability is
good, and there are a lot of strong running vans still on the road.
this list, plus a lot of quailified mechanics and good aftermarket parts
gives me confidence.  i want to drive my van for at least 20 more years.

aaron
'87 syncro gl (~94k miles) 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Rodgers [mailto:inua@CHARTER.NET] 
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 10:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Toyota Hiace images

Maybe they should do a marketing survey and see if there is a market
here. Bet there is.

Right now I find there is not another van of any brand that I would
replace my Vanagon with ... at least available in the USA. It's
discouraging. I love my vanagon, but the fact is that it is a 17 year
old vehicle and not getting younger. The support for it is slowly drying
up. Worries me. I find that there is no other comparable vehicle out
there that fills the need in the same  way. The configuration is the
main thing. I find it extremely utilitarian and convenient. The only
thing that might improve on it (besides a later engine) is a sliding
door on the drivers side. But even that is not such a big deal. Aside
from the configuration - doors, rear hatch, etc, the size and dimesnions
are just right. I can carry a 1500 lb load of bricks on the floor
inside, or a 12 foot step ladder --- inside, or 12 foot 2X6
lumber....... or 4X8 sheets of plywood ... all inside out of the weather

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

John Bange wrote:

>Probably it's considered a commercial vehicle and subject to some 
>ridiculous import tariff or something, like the Dokas and single cabs 
>were. Toyota would have to build 'em here to make it worthwhile.
>
>
>
>>What is the deal that the HiAce or seome version of it is not to be 
>>sold in the USA.
>>
>>Looks like a good replacement for the V-gons as they wear out and 
>>disappear.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>