RE: Power
Got to jump in on this thread on power in the Vanagon.  My history: I
put about 40,000 miles on my '85 Westy, (1.9l w/4 speed) many miles
fully loaded (extra 800 lbs of equipment, full tank of water, etc.) then
the first of this year I replaced the (totaled) '85 with a '90 Westy
(2.1l Automatic w/AC) and the difference was like night and day.  I have
since duplicated all the major trips that I had made with the '85, and
the additional power in the '90 (and the handling, and the comfort of
driving with the automatic and cruise control) make long trips and
especially mountain passes and climbs up twisty forest service roads
into the mountains a whole different ball game.  In the '85 I always
felt underpowered (even after replacing the engine with a full rebuild),
not so in the Vanagon.  There are still 'patience' times in second gear,
but I would not go back, and I am not tempted to try to upgrade to a
Tiico or Subie.  And if I need real power or a 'need for speed', I get
into my daily driver, a '90 T-Bird and hit the highway.
Putting on my asbestos suit and standing by........