Michael:
I am extremely glad that your wife is alright.   What a ride?!
Sorry about your beautiful red Carat though; it was one of the main reasons
that I have tried to continue the restoration project of my Caravelle.  I
always try to describe to other VW campers your unconventional approach to
van camping with the tent in the trailer set up. (We camped next to you at
EveryBus '02 in our first Westy.)

Now you can justify getting a Westy or a pop top weekender to replace the
Carat and why not?  You now know first hand the strength and superior
structure of the basic vehicle... add the upper bunk for the kids, the
standing room, and the ventilation afforded by the upper canvas... why not?
You have enjoyed your wonderful vehicle for six years.  Why not replace it
with another?

Re insurance replacement prices:  the archives are full of ways to get the
robbers to set a more realistic value on our prized vans and yours was a
clear exception to the generic value of most 15 yo vehicles.  Accepting
their low valuations is, well, unacceptable.

Just my.02 worth.
Good luck and we hope to see you at EveryBus 05 , April 15,16, 17.
Stephen Steele
Chillicothe OH

'87 Westy  "Franz"
'90 Carat  "Parts"
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"...awaiting new engine
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
'91 Jetta Diesel   My daily driver
'02 Jetta Wagon VR6  Wife's car
Ex Vans/VWs:
'81 Vanagon  from 1985-1990
'88 Jetta GL  1990-1992
'92 Jetta GL  1992-1998
'90 Jetta     1999-2003
'81 Rabbit diesel   1999-2003
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz" 2000-2004 now with Son #1
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U.  1999-2004