I am waiting in breathless anticipation for the WALL of flames that will hit
this insurance guy.  [But I'm really curious about the towing thing.  I
don't think the vans have much extra capacity for towing.  Pulling or
braking.  I have a little, 4'x4' trailer that would be nice to pull
occasionally and I'm kind of reluctant to try it.]

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Jones <jj1@MAIL.TDS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 12:22 PM
Subject: Vanagon safety and design?

> Hello - I will update further on this in another message, but I am just on
> the brink of buying an '85 Westy with 75K original miles, in excellent
> condition (haven't seen it in person, but was sent about 5 pictures and it
> looks immaculate), for $6500.  I'm planning on having the owner take it in
> for a compression test, leak-down test, and maint. inspection.  Anyway...
>  was just on the phone with my insurance agent to see about rates for the
> Westy.  He spent about 20 minutes trying to talk me out of buying it!
>
> His main issue (along with lack of power and crappy gas mileage) was
safety
> and design.  He said Vanagons just fold up like an accordion when hit.  He
> basically said the design was terrible and that it was analogous to he and
> I went going into a garage and building a car.  He specifically mentioned
> the how everything was run by cables that run underneath the car, and that
> these are susceptible to corrosion, etc.
>
> Anyway, given that eventually I want to use the camper for touring (as in,
> musical) and want to tow a small trailer with equipment behind, he tried
to
> talk me into getting an early '90s Dodge Caravan with a 3.0 L engine. Said
> the they got great gas mileage, were very safe, and had a lot of power.
>  And, that I could convert the inside into some kind of camper.
>
> Now, it must be said, he didn't change my mind - I want this Westy !  I
> also think Dodge Caravans have about as much character as a cardboard box.
>  But, he did give me an interesting perspective.  It must also be said
that
> he's just the agent, not the underwriter, he so isn't in charge of whether
> they'll insure the van or not.  It's possible they won't (guess they're
> afraid of people living in 'em - he he :)).
>
> I hadn't heard that about the safety, or about Vanagons being poorly
> designed.  Obviously, since we're all on this list, we don't have the same
> opinion., but I was curious as to people's response to his views...
>
> Thanks, JJ
>
> (soon to be :  '85 Westy!)