>Date:    Sat, 16 Dec 2006 21:07:13 -0500
>From:    Geo <geost@VERIZON.NET>
>Subject: Vanagon vs. Toyota Van
>
>Any thoughts on the Vanagon vs. Toyota Van? I've been looking into the
>Toyota Van of the same era as the Vanagon. It's a similar unconventional
>design but with the engine under the seats instead of in back. A bit less
>room but reliability (tho after 20 years I guess it's all a crap shoot) &
>gas mileage  were strong points. I really want to go vege-diesel but that
>doesn't seem to be a viable option with the Toyota.

It seems to me that Toyota steel was not as good as German steel of the same
era.  I see more rusted Toyotas than vanagons, same era.

Personally, I've always been partial to Japanese engines.  However, the
vanagon engine, except for the head gasket problem, is a quite durable and
reliable engine.  Of course, on any vehicle this old, it's more about how it
was maintained, fixed, and who did the maintenance and fixing.  And there
seem to be more of the vanagons just cause it's a special vehicle.

Of course, everyone here has vanagons, so we are partial.  If you want to
camp, there is no better vehicle ever made than the vanagon Westfalia, IMHO!
Well, maybe a vanagon syncro Westfalia!  The utility is superb -- nothing so
small gives so much!

Rich