In a message dated 12/31/00 5:26:11 PM, CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET writes:

<< It's faster
It's safer
It's bigger,
It's got heat
It's got A/C
And it is fun to drive. >>

Terry,

I can't argue with you on those points and I do like the smoothie look of the
New Beetle, but I do not like the more laid back seating.  I have suffered my
share of miles in sports cars, pony cars and all the others which have their
seat bottoms right on the floor.  Sure, they are fun to drive, but you pay
the price in comfort.  The one reason I like these pig-slow Vanagons so much
is that however long it takes to get from point A to point B, I never feel
like it's the morning after I got drunk and beat up.

Also, I think VW could have replaced the steering rack with a couple struts
and dropped the power package into the rear end, for the sake of tradition if
for no other reason.  Hey, but who am I to second guess an engineering
economist.

Terry, remember whatever you are doing on New Year's you'll be doing the rest
of the year, so I hope you get lucky tonight.  Happy New Year!

Rich