Okay, here's what my older (19) nephew said about vanagons, in a series of
instant messages:

afghan13 (9:58:58 PM): i'd say they are definitely not dorky

afghan13 (9:59:26 PM): i mean, obviously some people look at them with
disdain, but those people drive SUVs and I don't think like them

afghan13 (10:00:40 PM): i think they're pretty cool

afghan13 (10:00:42 PM): honestly

(I don't know why he calls himself Afghan13.  He's not Afghani, and his name
is Avi.  He's a sophomore in college, doesn't own a car.  Of course he likes
to bowl and he's on the bowling team, so he may qualify as pretty dorky
himself...  Though actually he isn't.  He had the chutzpah to go to a
Halloween party in drag when he was a freshman, and then send the photo of
himself to his mom - pretty good for a straight 18-year-old!)

If I hear from my younger (18) nephew, I'll let you all know...

Joy

*******************************************************************
Dr. Joy E. Hecht
Consultant on Environmental Policy and Information

Email:  jhecht@alum.mit.edu
Phone:  1-202-494-1162
URL:    http://www.joyhecht.net

*******************************************************************

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Roger Sisler
:::Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 6:16 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: Families - what do they know?
:::
:::I dont know anybody who likes Vanagons.They must be right.I mean, if only
:::men like this thing,what is the point? Why dont more women like vanagons?
:::This list is strange,but I like it.
:::
:::Both my almost grown kids wont say anything positive about a Vanagon.Why
:::should they? This beast sucked my bank account dry, and wants more.I
:::think
:::their friends are embarrassed at what their dad drives.I think I am
:::supposed to drive a Lexus or something.I dont care what their mother
:::thinks.
:::
:::My son likes using the wire wheel to clean parts. He says it is
:::addictive.I agree.I think he only wants the money I pay him.
:::
:::My 84 year old dad only tolerates it.I know his real opinion.He gives it
:::to me every time I tell him it broke again.
:::
:::One neighober liked it, at a distance, but I think he died.
:::
:::Once in awhile I see another Vanagon and owner. They say how much the
:::Vanagon  cost to keep.That is all.I tell them to got to the list.
:::
:::It could be worse.I could have two of them.
:::
:::Im not sure if I am an appendage of my Vanagon, or if the Vanagon is an
:::appendage of me.
:::
:::I think the only way out is to walk away from it.Got to let it go at a
:::loss.Never going to reach that pie in the sky of a Vanagon that I dream
:::of.This is an old, and complex machine.What will I do with all my Vanagon
:::parts?
:::
:::Fixing chain saws is more rewarding.