Date:         Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:23:44 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon   ?Previa?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

No, I think a 4x8 sheet would not go into any of the MiniVans without some
serious shoe-horning.

 That is a Vanagon plus, for sure.

   In my 84, with most of a Westie interior, I made a crude "stand" for
carrying lumber and plywood. With the whole interior still in place. I
fabbed up two pieces of 3/4" plywood in the correct lengths so that I can,
with just 3 screws, assemble a right angle stand that I rest one end on top
of the closed-up stove cab.  This stand sits cross ways inside, with the
second piece being a 'wide' leg,  upright opposite the stove and right in
front of the slider.  I leave a brace attached at one end, swing that up and
screw it across the two legs so the stand doesn't collapse.   I can even get
a cold one out of the fridge after I unload, then lay down and rest while I
drink it..
  When I have to haul a bunch of big material, (14' lumber will fit inside
with the hatch shut) or plywood, I assemble the stand then slide the ply in,
from the back hatch,  across the top of the bench seat back, with the seat
in it's upright position.  The materials bridge across the seat back and the
stand...If I plan on any spirited driving, I might put a clamp on the whole
stack.  This method makes it simple to load, I don't have any problems with
the interior, and I still have plenty of room for the smaller stuff and
tools below the level of the seat back/stand.  Recently, I had 9 sheets of
3/4" Birch ply and about 30peices of eastern rock maple 1x hardwood, plus my
table saw and all my hand tools, two saw horses and my dog in there..No
problemo.. Didn't even scratch it up anywhere..
  But a Vanagon is a camper and/or an almost truck.  Those minivans are more
like "almost cars"...
  Interestingly, while reading up on the various MiniVans in my ongoing
Previa assessment,  the MiniVan Pundits all mention how the Previa is really
a great handler but wasn't widely accepted, in it's first form (with a
normally aspirated 130hp D.O.H.C. 4 banger) because it was considered
"underpowered" (here in the US anyways).  At about 3200lbs and
130hp...Still, that was a much better power to weight ratio than a Vanagon,
eh?  Like close to 25% more power with a little less weight..So Toyota
responded by slapping on a supercharger after about '94 and upped the hp to
160..That is Subaru-Vanagon territory, eh?
  Also interesting (to me anyhow) is that they stopped with the 5sp manual
tranny in 94..Guess your average soccer mom didn't want to shift..So far, I
have only found one listing  (out of some 60 Previas nation-wide on
AutoTrader)  for a 93 5sp...$3200 with "135k miles"...Also interesting...No
timing belt, a timing chain...that's a Toyota, I guess...make it
dependable..then sell em...Not make em 'saleable' then fix the problems when
they appear...

  Two different species...the Minivan and the Vanagon.  The new VW van
offering looks just like all the other minivans currently out there...same
basic thing..."Mid-sized car chassis with lots of seats and room for the
kiddies to walk around inside"...
Don Hanson

Date:    Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:06:30 -0700
From:    Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:
At  10/30/2008 04:45 PM, chris and/or ruth wrote:
>Scott,
>My brother in law swears by this vehicle; however he prefers to buy
>the near identical Mercury "VILLEGER".  According to him, usually
>costs much less than the Quest.<snipped>

Rob wrote:

I know the Caravan will NOT take a 4x8 sheet without removing the
seats, any idea if this one will? I'm just curious as I already know
none of vans have the class that the original does.



Rob
becida@comcast.net