Date:         Thu, 16 Jul 1998 14:25:34 EDT
Reply-To:     CarlMarin@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         CarlMarin@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re. Vanagon Problems? Vanagon Growth Experience?
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

David M writes:
<<<<
Thanks for the information. Its nice to hear from someone who can
discuss their experiences without resorting to ascribing their vehicles
with human attributes.
I am not looking for a Toyota, I already have one, I am looking for a
Vanagon or Eurovan. That is why I joined this list - to find out about
them.
<<<<<

Here's my take on the "Vanagon any damn good?" question.  To steal a JFK line,
we choose to do this Vanagon thing not because it is easy but because it is
hard.  Vanagons may not have Karma but us living creatures who ride around in
them do.  Vanagon ownership can be about Patience, Perspective, and
Perserverance.  I think that makes us better people.

Contrast that with the path of least resistance called Chrysler Minivan
ownership or Toyota ownership.  People do that trip because they can't do any
better or don't know any better.  Their punishment for this lazy path is to
come back in the next life as a Dung Beetle.  The choice is yours David.
Besides, if you choose to test yourself with Vanagon ownership you get to hang
out on this great list!

Someone else mentioned that the Vanagon is tons better than the earlier VW
vans.  Having had a '65 21 window for 13 years, getting a bad back from
hunching down to see out the tiny windows, using an ice scraper on the inside
of the windshield as I motored down the road in the winter,  I can say
honestly that I think I deserve a Vanagon.   BTW, I have ridden around quite a
bit in a friends Chrysler Minivan.  What an aweful experience it always is.
I can't understand why they've sold millions of them.

Best wishes in your Vanagon quest no matter how it turns out for you.

Carl