Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:19:19 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Heart vs. Head
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
ok.........
do some research on those Previa's with a drive shaft going from the
mid-mounted engine, forward, to the accessories.
Some owners have had troubles with that driveshaft - something that no car
should really have, a 2 and a half foot long driveshaft from the front of
the engine to the accessories mounted in the nose - AC, PS , alternator.
secondly, I was in a shop where a tech had one on a lift, trying to change
the spark plugs. It's an inline four, flat on it's side, with the spark
plugs centrally located in the top of the valve cover.
The top of the valve cover is about 4 inches from the frame.
There's no room to get the long spark plug boots off, due to lack of
clearance.
so you see the need to lower the engine, but then you look at the engine
mount on that side, the exhaust is right on top of it, so you start looking
on how to move that first, etc. etc. Looked like a real bear of what
should be a simple one.
I suspect they are far better newer vehicles than older ones, and good older
owner-repaired type vans, and Vanagons are stellar in that department, for
half-smart people anyway - lol.
Also .......handling dynamics, numbness there of. I suspect they are tuned
to be a soccer mom kid-hauler. I wouldn't expect much in the way of 'handing
dynamics.'
Vanagons can be quite sporty feeling and handling.
my own 85 Adventurewagon, with just the addition of 15 inch steel South
African wheels, and really sharp handling Michelin Aquilles tires, plus
Bilstein HD shocks..........it handles, and is darn fun to drive. There is
still LOTS of life left in vanagons.
and personal, I'm darn proud to drive something that is NOT like every other
modern 'roundy' car.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Hineline" <hineline@HELIX.UCSD.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 1:33 PM
Subject: Heart vs. Head
> In a month or so I'm going to sell my 2001 VW GTI (1.8 liter) so that
> I can buy one of two vehicles. The heart wants a hardtop Vanagon (it
> actually wants a Syncro Westfalia, but the heart isn't writing the
> check). The head says no, get a mid- to late-80s van produced by a
> Japanese automaker. First syllable rhymes with "boy." Second and third
> syllables rhyme with "quota."
>
> The head argues: good heat and air conditioning. An engine that will
> last hundreds of thousands of miles. More power in proportion to mass.
> Same relationship between the driver and the sheet metal in front of
> the vehicle. Radiator and engine are in the same county. Fabulous
> turning radius. No real need for the added interior volume.
>
> Heart says: yeah, but you'll still want a Vanagon.
>
> Anyone have any arguments that the head will listen to?
>
> Mark Hineline
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