Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Mon, 12 Jul 1999 10:52:44 -0400
Reply-To:     L&A Johnson <larry_avery.johnson@SYMPATICO.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         L&A Johnson <larry_avery.johnson@SYMPATICO.CA>
Subject:      Re: on "upgrading" to Eurovan
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Gerald Rees wrote:

> Our '89 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender has been a treasured member of the > family for ten years and is still in good shape, but we decided to replace > it with a new Eurovan. We want to drive to Alaska again, and at age 75 I > just didn't feel like facing the possible hassles of mechanical troubles > along the way. (On our last trip, the water pump gave out at Dawson Creek, > 1500 miles from the nearest VW dealer.) After three weeks, we have mixed > feelings about the change.

DON'T DO IT

> There are many good things about the Eurovan > such as front-wheel drive,

Why is engine-in-front driving the front wheels better than engine-in-back driving back wheels. If fact it is worse because the front wheels have to be able to steer too. Too many traction demands to be optimal.

> quiet, accessible and powerful engine with more > speed than I will ever use,

So put a new powerful engine in your Vanagon. And as you said, you don't need the speed. You can't enjoy the scenery when driving fast anyway.

> some welcome engineering changes and a > generally more solid feel.

The Win-a-bagel is NOT as solid as your Vanagon. The Vanagon rattles but it is SOLID.

> But there just isn't the living space. Why did > they make the huge storage space under the back seat accessible only > through a tiny opening in a useless plastic cover? (Can I get that cover > off without destroying it?) Why no access to the spaces under the front > seats? Why make the table so you can't put it up when the bed is made? (I > fixed that by removing the leg and improvising a support bracket.) Why is > that ugly heater vent sticking up behind the right front seat? (Can I > remove that and block the vent without something overheating?)

You answered your own question. Westfalia did it like a small yacht; Win-a-bagel did like a house.

> I was shocked when the local dealer offered me $300 for the vanagon. > Although it has 150,00 miles on it, it looks like new. It is probably > about due for head gaskets, but that's the only problem I'm aware of. > Maybe I should have put a couple thousand dollars into repairs and not > bought the new one.

I agree. Hold on to it. Love it. Who could love a Eurovan?

My Monday Rant Larry


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