Date:         Sat, 7 Apr 2007 21:26:54 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: What features from the Vanagon would be necessary in a new
              vehicle for you to consider it an adequate or improved
              replacement? was: "Brand new" bus now Vanagon
In-Reply-To:  <46A4CEA8-93FC-46E0-80C6-572E9FFDD2DF@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 4/7/07, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>
> Hmm. Airbags require sensors.


Yeah, and being EXPLOSIVE, they're not something I'd want to try to add as
an aftermarket item. Think of how often people's FLAPS bought, self
installed alarms go off for no reason. I'm imagining seeing guys in Civic
hatchbacks with chopped springs and spoilers suddenly blinded by a randomly
inflating airbags, driving into the ditch. Maybe we SHOULD allow aftermarket
ones!

I wouldn't mind bumpers that were
> mounted on shock absorbers.


Yeah, and slightly heavier gauge steel. Something you can stand on without
it bending. Or bump things with without it denting. They're called BUMPERS,
after all.

The small 14" wheels are desirable for
> better fuel economy (note that almost every high fuel economy vehicle
> has small wheels....there is a reason.)


Ehhhh.... even the Beetle had 15" wheels. And so does the Prius and the
Civic Hybrid today. 14" is really just too small for a vehicle that big.
Probably it was an issue of parts continuity with previous Type 2's, but the
50% weight gain of the T3 should have resulted in a bump up to 15".

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"