> Thanks everyone for all the info and the support.  They cracked me up as well
> as informaed a little.  For the record, the wife is way cool, just always
> concerned about he kiddies (as am I).  She never put her foot down or
> anything, just voiced concern.  I pointed out that her Volvo wagon is much
> safer than the van (airbags up the wazoo, volvo engineering), but of course
> that all depended on what hit it and how.  If a hummer runs head on into one
> or the other, I gotta say I�d take the van as the hummer would probably drive
> over the vovlo.  Anyhoo, I gooogle vanagon safety and actually came up with a
> nice volvo vs. vanagon head on crash test where the vanagon basically drove up
> over the volvo.
> 
> Needless to say, I think we�re cool now.
> 
> I�m still pushing for the Ferrari though.
> 
> dave
> 
> 

> Date:    Thu, 16 Dec 2004 12:40:37 EST
> From:    Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> Subject: Re: HELP My wife thiks the van is unsafe
> 
> Here's why I love you folks on the list. And I don't care what anyone says,=20
> 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=
> =20
> 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=
> =20
> a guy who everyday thinks about getting rid of his apartment and all this ju=
> nk=20
> to live in his Westfalia. I can't help thinking some of the best days I've=20
> had are when I was between apartments living in my bus with a few changes of=
> =20
> clothes and everything else in storage. Arguably the elation was because
> it=20=
> was a=20
> departure from the norm. I had the advantage of knowing I had all that stuff=
> =20
> in storage and soon would move into a place with a shower. The point being,=20
> why not get rid of it all; the wife, the kids, the house, the stuff, and
> so=20=
> on.
> 
> Anyway Dave, I wouldn't break up the family just yet.=20
> 
> Truth is, in my opinion, your wife has something of a point--something. The=20
> Vanagon definitely has a higher center of gravity than some passenger cars (=
> and=20
> that Ferrari idea is a real winner!!LOL!!)
> 
> Anyway, this whole thread started to crack me up.=20
> 
> My feeling is the Vanagon does a decidedly different feel onthe road than=20
> most other vehicles I have driven. The large windshield that comes down sort=
>  of=20
> low in front of the driver and passenger could make one feel=20
> vulnerable--especially in the passenger seat. The dash is kind of low and do=
> esn't offer the=20
> psychological comfort of a high dash over your legs cocoon feel that you mig=
> ht get=20
> in a passenger car. A nice grab handle is great to make you feel safe in an=20
> old style beetle--but are you?
> 
> And then you're sitting over the front tires so the feeling of turning is=20
> weird. As the bus dips in a turn you've gotta feel a bit different than when=
> =20
> you're back behind the front wheel.=20
> 
> 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=20
> I'm not willing to condemn her to being concerned about the safety of the=20
> Vanagon.=20
> 
> 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=20
> might be in the new Mercedes, necessarily. There are a lot of factors to=20
> consider of course. But let's say we're not as safe as a low car with air ba=
> gs, for=20
> the most part.=20
> 
> Here's my advice to Dave and everyone else. SLOW DOWN. Or wait, I mean, we'r=
> e=20
> in a Vanagon for crying out loud. Is it possible to slow down any more?=20
> 
> OK. So here's my advice: put a little more distance between you and the car=20
> in front of you. Learn to accept passing cars with passengers and drivers=20
> giving you the finger as sign you're doing something right in this world. Sl=
> owing=20
> down and letting life happen instead of trying to get to the next destinatio=
> n=20
> as fast you can. Because we all know on the road of life there are only=20
> passengers. Any of us who think we're in any kind of control at all are kidd=
> ing=20
> ourselves. Maybe, slow down in the curves.=20
> 
> Now, as for you Dave. You've got a diesel. I'm not sure you can go any=20
> slower. Thinking about it, I think it's time to get rid of the wife.
> 
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westfalia
> LA,CA