have you checked out the american van poptop conversions with interior
layouts identical to the vanagon westy?

www.gtrv.com
www.parnado.com
www.sportsmobile.com

The major disadvantage of these is that they are bigger than the vanagon,
which may be an advantage to some.  They typically get about the same gas
mileage (sometimes better) as a 2.1 L Vanagon westy with the smallest
engines available being half the size of a 2.1L waterboxer.  Of course
there are immense advantages to driving a vehicle that is still in
production, is easy to get parts/service for, and has a reputation for
durability and reliablity etc...

On Tue, 25 May 2004, John Rodgers wrote:

> I think about this once in a while, and just don't see anything out
> there that is really a good replacement when my Vanagon gets to the
> point it is no longer economically feasible to keep it going. I simply
> don't like the Eurovan, the Chrysler products are not sized for my needs
> nor offer the unility I need, and the only other machine I have seen
> that might possibly fit the bill is the Astro Van or a variant of it
> .......Safari, etc. I have no knowledge of any of them, and just
> wondered what thoughts The List has about alternatives for the Vanagon.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>