Brian,

Welcome to the list! You'll probably get a ton of pro and con answers to your question, but I'm willing to add mine to the mix!

The stock aircooled is a bit underpowered, however this is no reason to dis it. Properly taken care of - and driven sensibly - it will give you many trouble free miles. In all fairness the same needs to be said about the 1.9 and 2.1 watercooled models: take care of it and drive it sensibly. Anyway, it should do just fine at going just about anywhere that you'd like to go, but just won't go as fast as a new Jetta. The rules I've been told for aircooleds are: 1) keep the cooling gear stock, 2) don't lug the engine, and 3) keep it clean (caked on oil makes it run hotter).

It could be that you're mechanic hates working on them, or many of his customers don't take care of them. It could also be that he just doesn't understand them and is misinformed.

As far as handling, I'd concur with a message I read earlier - any Vanagon handles TONS better than an old loaf. Just make sure you have the right (see the archives or the Vanagon.com website) tires on it and you'll be fine.

If you have questions on the air cooled vans talk to Stan (his name's all over the place). He knows them inside and out and is usually more than happy to talk about them.

john