I'd hardly think that this was a Frydaeonly topic. Newbies should also be informed that: 1) While the mechanicals and electrics may be iffy at best, the body itself is a brilliant piece of design (possibly the strongest bodies on the road apart from large truch chassis), as is the suspension. 2) The electrics & mechanicals can be upgraded, and there's a host of options for every conceivable item. Japanese electrics, aftermarket electric windows or mirrors, Subaru, Porsche or other engines, Porsche transmissions, rear disc brakes or all-round Porcshe brakes, suspension bushes, dampers, swaybars, springs, wheels... the list is near-endless. Spend as much or as little as you like. 3) They are superadapable and can be: cargo-carriers, MPVs, campers, mobile offices/HQs, stormchasers (better be reliable for that one!), sportscars (despite the shape)... you name it. The only limitation on their space-efficiency is the engine-compatment, which means that the tailgate doesn't open to floor-level and long objects such as very large motorcycles may not fit (a Honda CB750 Four should; I carried one in my Split). 4) Something constantly ignored by most people: Tires... don't skimp by buying cheap & nasty rim-protectors. Saving money on tires can easily cost your life. The only vans better are the 82-and-later Toyota Hiaces and perhaps (reliability excepted) the homely and less-advanced Nissan Caravan/Urvan/Homy, and to my knowledge there are no off-the-shelf items to make those anything but pig-understeerers. And of course they are not (legally) available in the US, even though they are available in LHD... ask Toyota management why that is. -- Regards Andrew Grebneff |
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