hi joel:

thanks for you input. i went test drive one yesterday and just like you said
about the handling...i didn't like it. 2.5L auto in a EV westy is really
loud. perhaps the 2.1L wasserbox is just as loud but it's in the back so i
don't hear it that much. yet i did like the EV westy ride on the hwy. it's
nice. i agree with you vanagon westies handle rough roads really well. i
have a '89 westy and i can take it everywhere (might have to go REALLY slow
in the Rockies when loaded with camping stuff). i guess i'll start looking
into a Subaru 2.5 in it...:-)

tony

>From: "Joel Walker" <jwalker17@earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: "Joel Walker" <jwalker17@earthlink.net>
>To: "tony yeh" <tp_yeh@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re:      vanagon westy --> eurovan westy?
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 08:35:17 -0500

>
>i've owned vanagons since 1979, and have driven the 2.5l winnebago and
>2.5l eurovan and the newer vr6 eurovan.
>
>the 2.5l eurovan has a LOT more acceleration than the vanagons. and is
>quieter on paved roads. but shakes more on unimproved roads. :(  also
>the left front wheel well protrudes into the driver's leg area and i
>could never get my left leg comfortable, even on short trips. i mean,
>it was really uncomfortable. the eurovan also feels a LOT more
>top-heavy ... perhaps it is a softer suspension, but it feels like it
>rolls/leans more in cornering.
>
>the winnebago was just too heavy. period. and the fit-and-finish of
>the interior was not as good as the westfalia package in the vanagon.
>the under-the-bus drains and piping was also very very low and dragged
>on speed bumps and parking lots that had angled entries. i didn't like
>it at all.
>
>the vr6 eurovan was impressive. also had four-wheel disc brakes. very
>impressive braking. but that wheel well was still very uncomfortable
>and it still had the body roll/lean in corners.
>
>i'm 1.8m tall and also found that i had a problem getting in and out
>of the eurovan/winnebagos ... i bonked my head on the a-pillar
>(windshield post). it seems to lean back much more sharply than the
>vanagons, and i had to duck my head oddly to get in without whacking
>the post. :( once inside, it's comfortable (cept for that wheel well).
>it was also a bit harder for me to get up out of the driver's seat and
>go into the back of the bus, between the front seats. feels like the
>seats are closer together.
>
>all in all, i prefer the handling and entry of the vanagon. but it is
>getting long in the teeth and it will be harder and harder to find
>parts and repairs for it. :(  the only way to find out if YOU like the
>eurovans is for YOU to go drive a few of them and see. :)  cars are
>like shoes and clothes ... not everybody likes the same things.
>
>good luck!
>joel
>

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