A friend of my wife's had one of those Toyota vans.  It had a giant hump
running the length (for the driveshaft I'd assume) and not nearly as much
interior space as a Vanagon.  The rear seats are very low and difficult to
climb into.

Of course, it was after a Colorado Rockies game and I had been in the sun
all afternoon drinking cold beer before I rode in it, so of course I had a
bit of a time getting in.  Then I proceeded to explain the myriad of ways
her Toyota van was inferior to my Vanagon.

Several sharp jabs in the ribs from my wife soon quieted me down, but I feel
like I made my point.  And after all, it was nice of her to give us a ride,
whether in an inferior box-on-wheels or not.

Joe T.

>From: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Vanagon vs. Toyota Van
>Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:02:56 -0600
>
>This is meant purely in jest, but why would ANYONE ask a national list of
>VANAGON LOVERS for an unbiased opinion on this subject?
>
>I personally can't imagine that there would be any contest.
>
>Vanagon wins by a landslide.
>
>;o)
>
>Just my .02
>
>Matt Drew
>'90 GL "Blackbeard"
>
>
>
>On 12/19/06, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>When I lived in Chicago (1995-96) my guitar player had the Toyota version.
>>I
>>don't remeber there being any problems with it and we drove it all over.
>>
>>That van had and interesting life. It was stolen once but was returned
>>after
>>about a week unharmed. There was also some homless person who broke in and
>>would live in it at night. Never bothered the owner much.
>>
>>
>>On 12/16/06, Geo <geost@verizon.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > 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.
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>--
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Jeff
>>90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful, It needs a lot of work)
>>86' (Soon to be donating organs to the 90')
>>85' GL (sidelined but to be resurrected in the near future)
>>

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