I have to agree with some of you guys, we don't talk enough sometimes about
what is really great about our vehicles.  But, I have to add most of the
really big problems I've had were my own dam fault!  The only really major
problem I have ever had with the two Vanagons I own was driving into a bad
washout on a dirt road in Utah in my Syncro.  I was frankly going too fast
and didn't see it in time to slow down before going in, ouch!  But other
then that I have only had annoying problems, mostly caused by buying a used
vehicle, which comes with the territory, or my own bad judgements at the
time.  I have driven all over the country, slept in the van on the side of
the road, in fields, and yes near a nice stream in Idaho as someone
mentioned, all without problems.  Yes they can be maddeningly slow when
going over Loveland Pass in Colorado or buffeted by winds crossing Kansas,
but you always get waved at.  And dam it what other vehicle when you beak
down in does a friendly person always stop and help?  No matter where I
have been in the country when I've had a problem with my VW's there has
been someone that has pulled over (usually a Hippie, but hey they're nice
people) and help me out.  There is one major problem, which you can't avoid
with a Vanagon, is it is impossible to find brown velour interiors and when
you do they don't ship!

Dave K.
82 former diesel now a Cis-e