Date:         Tue, 08 Jul 1997 22:52:32 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Austin <austins@ix.netcom.com>
Subject:      Re: AdventureWagen

At 05:37 PM 5/20/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm thinking about buying an '89 AdventureWagen Vanagon conversion, but
>had a few questions and was hoping folks on this list could help.

>What are the pluses and minues of the AdventureWagen compared to the
>Westfalia?  I'm a little concerned about the permanently raised roof
>(instability in the wind,... 
cross-winds cause it to lean more, but steer straighter because the center
of the 'sail' is moved aft;

>lower gas mileage....
nope-we get 20+ @ 70 mph (although California's new-crappy-gas has dropped
it to 18.5

>problems with overhangs...
yes-mine has a carport ding in the back

>What about storage space between the two?
 no contest - the AW has a huge cavity over the forward cab;  I keep the
(4) sleeping bags up there, + the overhead bed has ~ 4'x5'x1' high storage
while on the road...

>add-ons (such as a roof rack) are basically not an option
 this is true;

>What about general convenience and comfort (are the amenities and access to
>them better/worse in one versus the other)? can't speak for the Westy's,
but being able to walk around upright is a pleasure for the family while on
trips; one downside is that occupants of the top bed need to be small, &
not claustrophobic (kids love it up there).. you can't sit up in bed like
you can in the Westys.

Driving-wise, is it better to have the weight more evenly distributed
side-to-side?  
I keep the heavy stuff as low as possible - the storage over the cab has
sleeping bags, and we keep jackets/blankets etc on the upper bed;
>
>Also, how popular are these vehicles? 
not very, fairly pricey when new, but you got what you paid for:  - the
fellow who made them did a first class job:  there are *two* shells, inner
& outer, and the whole system is designed/built like a boat, esp. very nice
woodwork and hardware.

Do they retain their value as well as the Westfalias or, being more unknown
(and a little funny looking :)), do they depreciate faster?  Are they
difficult to sell?  What sort of price is fair for one of these in good
condition? 
 Don't have any info - all I can say is we've had two of them, & been 100%
satisfied.  BTW, owner Ed Anderson still makes the tops - for F*RD vans!!!
They look quite nice - have one in our neighborhood. (AdventureWagen is in
Fort Bragg, California)

>Thanks in advance!
>-jt
>
(apologies for the tardy reply)

Austin