Date:         Tue, 6 Jul 1999 23:33:20 -0700
Reply-To:     drc11 <drc11@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         drc11 <drc11@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject:      Re: 120 MPh,  99 Eurovan, Winnebago

>This is the original post concerning this topic, there appears to be
>confusion about the vehicle. The vehicle is not a vanagon, it's a 1999 VR6
>Eurovan Winnebago.
>
I've been following this with lots of laughter the whole way.  I had a '97
VR6 that topped out at I think 115 one day for me.  Since I was the first
person on the EV list to buy one... none of the guys would believe me!!!
The VR6 is very smooth... an absolute delight to drive....

but when it comes to cornering with full tanks, driving on a straightaway
(the camper tilts down on the drivers side 2 inches when the gas and water
tanks are full) and parking around town.... it is no match to our '90 Syncro
Westie.  The only thing the EV model style (I also have a '93 EV westie in
the garage) has going for it (campers and passenger models) is the engine
and the what if safety of air bags!  EVERYTHING ELSE IS SACRAFICED!
Including maneuverability around town and parking, maneuverability on plain
flat dirt rodes (bumps are much harsher - especially speed bumps!), the
propane tank hits on the smallest curb and road crown, camping ergonomics
(the winnie looks similar but most of it is poor quality and poor
construction - my cabinet shelves were even installed crooked by 1/2
inch!!), the 2 beds are a tad narrower and so is the upper bunk tent so the
Westie elbow room is lost, the pop top opens lower and 2 adults are hard
pressed to sleep up there unless you are slender and under 5'5".  The
plastic interior on the Winnie is so caustic, that in 1 yr. ours never did
fully outgassed.... and the heater never did work right (no one successfully
fixed it after the vehicle was out of service for 22 consecutive days in the
middle of the summer with only 1,000 mi on the odometer)!!  If your kids
ride in the back seat forget them seeing anything out the drivers side...
the cabinet is built longer/higher and covers more window space (like a cave
back there).

EV's (I've owned 3) are great highway drivers.  But for functionality and
actual ease of use - well, everyday I look at my Syncro Westie I think how
glad I am I went back!!  It may take me 20 more minutes to get there... but
I'm relaxed the whole way and I know when I get there I'll have a nice sleep
with clean non-plastic smelling air to breath!!

My experiences... worth only about 2 cents - and for some reason thought I'd
share!!
Madeline