Date:         Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:35:25 -0600
Reply-To:     "Gary Lee, Vanagon Racks" <gary2a@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Gary Lee, Vanagon Racks" <gary2a@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      re. If not a vanagon - What kind of van
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

>Is there a modern alternative to a Vanagon??  A vanagon like van???

>I'm talking about Vanagon like vans, NOT mini-vans for hauling kids to
>soccor.

>I know that the Japaneese car makers make vanagon like vans,
>( http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/10877957/Toyota_Hiace_Van.html )
>Seemingly they are NOT imported to Canada?? And I wnat a 5 speed diesel.

>Yes, I know about the Mercedes Benz (Dodge) Sprinter JAMES COOK and the
>Mercedes Benz Viano MARCO
>POLO Westfalia campers and as soon as I take up bank robbery as a hobbie,
>I'll be able to purchase
>one, maybe 2 or 3. :-)  Malcolm

As far as japanese vans go, we can get 15 year old used japanese domestic
market vehicles in Canada.
The town ace, master ace hi ace etc.  Most imported ones seem to be 4wd
turbo diesels.

The common engine in these vans seems to be the 2 liter 2C-T turbo diesel,
which sounds good on paper but it only puts out
84 hp and 127 lb/ft of torque.  Power wise, it's not really an upgrade
compared to the vanagon.

Aesthetics and handling are subjective, but I prefer the vanagon on those
points as well.
A short wheel base sprinter looks promising, but lots of $$.
Sportsmobile?  Maybe.....

Gary Lee
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/vw.htm