...
> "The Sprinter will be equipped for camping and sold in a James Cook edition
> as early as 2003. "
>
> I don't know who James Cook is, or what his association with camping may be,
> but I'm excited to hear that I am not the only one who immediately thought
> this would make a great travel / camper van.  Now I just need to solve the
> money issue....

A model closer to the Vanagon is the Marco Polo.
We had the opportunity to salivate over one at EveryBus 2002 in NC this
Spring.  It had everything you could want in a garagable poptop camper...
Diesel 5 cylinder, AT, diesel fueled furnace and hot water heater, shower
off the back hatch, pullout toilet, removable propane stove. Quite a
remarkable package, IMHO.

Owner was Spanish; he had it shipped over here for an extended holiday,
touring around the states with his wife and son.

IIRCC it based at +/- $42K and he had it accessorized to about $54K,
complete with a four bike Paulchen (sp.).