Date:         Thu, 3 Dec 1998 00:27:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael J Vickey <vickrail@VELOCITY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Michael J Vickey <vickrail@VELOCITY.NET>
Subject:      Vanagon vs. Eurovan
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Garth:

Being a lover of both Vanagons and Eurovans, people ask me all the time
which I prefer.

The Vanagon is asthetically more appealing, although I am not sure I know
why that is. It just is.

My two Eurovans are both 5-speed manual transmission vehicles. I would not
own an automatic with the 5-cyl engine. Too sluggish. With the manual
trans, I am very happy with EV's acceleration, comfort, and handling, as
well as the gas mileage (19+mpg). The new (97 and up) VR6 engine in
combination with the automatic trans is acceptable in my opinion.

Except for 2 other vehicles, I have always owned and driven VW vans. I
enjoy driving them and feel uncomfortable driving anything else.

Concerning the Camping equipment, the 91 Westfalia Vanagon GL that I own is
superior to the 95 EV and it's Winnebago conversion. The Germans really
know how to make a vehicle into a home on wheels. The EV does have some
features that are better than the Westfalia, but overall the Westfalia is
nicer.

Nine of my twelve vehicles are licensed, insured and "on the road". When
asked which one I prefer driving, I can't answer, because they are all
favorites. When I want to make a day trip with five people, the 93 EV is
the most desireable. When I need to haul something, the doublecabs are
prefered. Need to haul something in the rain, snow or ice? - take the
Syncro Vanagon.

So you see, each has it's own desirable feature.

The Vanagons seem to require more maintenance, but then my experience with
them has been longer than with the Eurovans, and the Vanagons are older
vehicles and more maintenance should be expected.

Best of luck to your brother-in-law in his decision-making. He can't go
wrong with a VW van.

Michael J Vickey (in lovely NW Pennsylvania)

the current VW collection:
84 Vanagon Wlfsbrg blue (parts)
85 DblCab Pickup lt gray
87 Vanagon Syncro GL Wolfram gray
87 Vanagon Syncro GL dove blue
88 Vanagon Carat burgundy
88 DblCab Pickup Tornado red
90 DblCab Pickup navy blue
90 DblCab Pickup Syncro black
91 Vanagon Camper GL orly blue
91 Vanagon Syncro flash silver
93 Eurovan MV Tornado red
95 Eurovan Camper white