Date:         Thu, 7 Jan 1999 10:36:48 -0500
Reply-To:     Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Unflattering '99 EuroVan review(now my opinion)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

As someone potentially in the marked for an EV I have to say I somewhat understand
the reviewers' complaints.  Mainly, the EV is not even close to being cheap and
for the price there should really be no complaints...it should be better than any
other van.  Better mileage, better handling, more power, more room, better looking
etc.  After looking at one the only reason I would still consider it is 1.) its a
VW (not a very compelling marketing tool to 99% of potential van buyers out there)
2.) Far as I know it's the only factory van with cool setups like the MV or
Weekender and I definately would want a fold out bed in my next van (to me that's
my vanagon's best asset aside from its minimalism)

Which comes to the second point.  Though less so than the old bays, IMHO part of
our vanagon's appeal lies its minimalist nature.  There is something nice about
having a not too luxurious box on wheels with 85 HP and 115K and a bed and
realizing you really need nothing more and your going to drive it till it dies
cause there's nothing you'd rather be driving.  The new Eurovan might be a tad to
luxurious for us minimalists.  Leave the bed, pull out the cupholders, give me a 5
spd. and diesel, ditch the AC, give me manual windows/doors (never give me a power
sliding door...ugh!) and cut the price $10K and I would jump on one.  Put the wife
and dogs in and break the damn thing in with an adventure drive up to Labrador!
Hmmm...any East Coasters out there want to organize a caravan up to Labrador
(check the maps, it sure looks like an interesting drive, maybe take the ferry
back down via Newfoundland)
Mark