Date:         Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:34:59 -0800
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon vs. Toyota Van
In-Reply-To:  <0JAE00NK3B843K4L@vms048.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Any thoughts on the Vanagon vs. Toyota Van?


A friend of my father's bought one of those new  20 or so years ago. I saw
him last month, still driving that thing around. Original engine, 200K miles
plus. He  even has the 4WD version. Not really useful 4WD, though. No
clearance to speak of, and it's of the "semi-automatic locking hub" type
where you have to switch the lever to 4WD, then drive in reverse for 15 feet
or so to engage the front wheels. Good for driving up to the ski slopes on a
slick road, but it's a toy compared to the Steyr-Puch gear in the Syncro. I
guess that's how I'd characterize it in general: like a toy Vanagon--- good
for light duty hauling around town, but I'd hate to try go camping in one.
An long trips? It's better than a Honda Civic, but it's still pretty small
inside. My legs cramp up after an hour or so. I can drive or ride in my
Vanagon for hours on end. Heck I drove 9 hours to my sister's house over
thanksgiving without stopping but a couple times for gas.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
"Staubkess bolt? I have one of those?"