Stephen,
Yours was one of the most positive and helpful postings I have ever read. It
would have been so easy to rant about controlling spouses but instead you
wrote about solutions. Worst case is that a vehicle will be ready for sale.

By the way, recently I saw a rear cushion for sale on ebay. Or go to
www.interstatevw.com that may carry them. Interstate VW specializes in VW &
vanagons.

Great posting. Impeccable logic. Sensible diplomacy that can bring a couple
closer together in addition to improving a van.

William

> Herb wrote:
> > Just brought my first Vanagon home and the wife hates it, and
> > I mean really hates it. She refuses to ride in it. So
> > unfortunately it has to go.
> ...
> WHOA!!!!!       Don't jump to conclusions here!
>
> As one who believes in happy and harmonious married life, I just have to
> chime in here with what I believe are a few pertinent questions....
> How long have you owned it? As in how many days?
> Are you a one vehicle family?
> Does it meet YOUR needs and wants?
> Does she only ride in it with you or does she need to drive it also?
> Do you influence what she drives?
> Got kids?
> Haul things?
>
> NOW...here's my two cents worth.
> You bought it...you're smart!
> If you want to keep it TRY THIS...
> Teach her to first only detest it...
> Do the following without fanfare.
> You can do it even as you talk about POSSIBLY selling it.
> Let the van show itself.
>
>   Immediately...
> Clean it up ( you need to  do this to sell it, anyway).
> Most ladies that I know don't want to ride in a dirty car!
> Don't spend all your waking hours on it, but tweak the things that need
> attention (remember...getting it ready to "sell").
>
>   ASAP...
> Load up your kids (or the neighbors' or your nieces and nephews, etc.) and
> take them to the DQ, Mickey D's or some short drive... they'll come back
> raving about it. Make sure she hears them... you may have to bribe them
( DQ
> isn't a bribe ...is it?).  BTW dogs have nearly the same effect...'cept
they
> can't rave.... "See their tails are wagging."
> Since the AC's not working...do this in the cool of the evening.
>
>  After a few days...
> Load three clean garbage cans, boxes or other bulky stuff in the middle
> section and go to the grocery for her ( with or without her and/or the
kids)
> but make sure you load all the groceries into the back hatch (above the
> engine)... then make sure she helps you unload the groceries.  NO stooping
> and ducking into a trunk. Easy reach in and see all the other stuff it can
> carry, too. Since you don't have the rear cushion...put a large blanket or
> rug back there to keep the things from sliding around and to quiet down
the
> engine noise.
>
>  After a few days...
> Offer to roll up a rug and have it cleaned (or do some other task that
> requires moving a 12 foot long object).
>
>   After a few days
> Offer to clean out a room or some other such task that would require
filling
> up the van to show it's utility.
>
> The resultant hidden messages are that you can use the van to be the cool,
> helpful guy that you really are and the wonderful guy that she was smart
> enough to marry!
>
> And THEN, if she still hates it,  write back!
>
> --
> Stephen
> Chillicothe OH