But Jeff, the look on a Porsche(or other decent sports car) driver's
face is priceless when you pass him going 90mph up a hill into the
wind. (in 4th gear)  >:D

sudhir.

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 12:40:37 EST, Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@aol.com> wrote:
> Here's why I love you folks on the list. And I don't care what anyone says,
> this group is far more than a tech support group...
> 
> Dave voices his wife's concern about the Vanagon safety and there's seems to
> be an almost resounding "get rid of the wife!" LOL!!!!!!!
> 
> And here I am thinking "That IS a possible solution." But that's coming from
> a guy who everyday thinks about getting rid of his apartment and all this junk
> to live in his Westfalia. I can't help thinking some of the best days I've
> had are when I was between apartments living in my bus with a few changes of
> clothes and everything else in storage. Arguably the elation was because it was a
> departure from the norm. I had the advantage of knowing I had all that stuff
> in storage and soon would move into a place with a shower. The point being,
> why not get rid of it all; the wife, the kids, the house, the stuff, and so on.
> 
> Anyway Dave, I wouldn't break up the family just yet.
> 
> Truth is, in my opinion, your wife has something of a point--something. The
> Vanagon definitely has a higher center of gravity than some passenger cars (and
> that Ferrari idea is a real winner!!LOL!!)
> 
> Anyway, this whole thread started to crack me up.
> 
> My feeling is the Vanagon does a decidedly different feel onthe road than
> most other vehicles I have driven. The large windshield that comes down sort of
> low in front of the driver and passenger could make one feel
> vulnerable--especially in the passenger seat. The dash is kind of low and doesn't offer the
> psychological comfort of a high dash over your legs cocoon feel that you might get
> in a passenger car. A nice grab handle is great to make you feel safe in an
> old style beetle--but are you?
> 
> And then you're sitting over the front tires so the feeling of turning is
> weird. As the bus dips in a turn you've gotta feel a bit different than when
> you're back behind the front wheel.
> 
> I would say a modern car with side and front impact air bags is safer.
> 
> I don't know Dave's wife, no matter what the guys at the pool hall say. And
> I'm not willing to condemn her to being concerned about the safety of the
> Vanagon.
> 
> But here's the thing you have to know about women...
> 
> That last was just a joke for you ladies out there.
> 
> Anyway, here's the thing, I think. We're not as safe in the Vanagon as you
> might be in the new Mercedes, necessarily. There are a lot of factors to
> consider of course. But let's say we're not as safe as a low car with air bags, for
> the most part.
> 
> Here's my advice to Dave and everyone else. SLOW DOWN. Or wait, I mean, we're
> in a Vanagon for crying out loud. Is it possible to slow down any more?
> 
> OK. So here's my advice: put a little more distance between you and the car
> in front of you. Learn to accept passing cars with passengers and drivers
> giving you the finger as sign you're doing something right in this world. Slowing
> down and letting life happen instead of trying to get to the next destination
> as fast you can. Because we all know on the road of life there are only
> passengers. Any of us who think we're in any kind of control at all are kidding
> ourselves. Maybe, slow down in the curves.
> 
> Now, as for you Dave. You've got a diesel. I'm not sure you can go any
> slower. Thinking about it, I think it's time to get rid of the wife.
> 
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westfalia
> LA,CA
> 
> In a message dated 12/16/2004 7:31:39 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> docproteus@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
> 
> > So now that I�ve got the van all fixed up and have put time and money into
> > it, my wife is telling me that she is concerned that the van is unsafe for
> > our kids to ride in it.  Now before I go on I should note that it�s and 83
> > diesel 1.6 and I have personally checked all seatbelts and seat tracks, etc.
> > to assure her (and me) that it�s safe.  She�s mainly worried about tipping
> > over.
>