<So why
all the bad talk exactly? Are they really that bad?>

Who's been Bay bashing? OK, my comment the other day (I'll never own another one) may have taken that way. I've owned 5 Bays. I love Bays-to look at. My comment had mainly to do with the handling. I've never owned one that made me feel secure on the highway. Even with good shocks, reinforced sidewall tires, etc. they all took a beating on windy days and from 18 wheelers. Wait until you are on the highway and an 18 wheeler blows past you at 80 mph and you feel the front end lift up and dance back and forth. Also the comfort factor. The front seats suck. I've usually replaced the drivers seat in my Bays with one from a Vanagon-but that also increases the seat height an inch or so, so at 6'4" that means my head is now crammed into the ceiling. And the room. My last Bay (a '75) had the full width bed which I liked, but had the stove/fridge behind the passenger seat which I didn't like. '76 and later Bays had a better layout, but lost that full width bed. And another reason I went to Va
nagons is that in a few years I hope to semi-retire and do some serious traveling. I want the ability to tow my motorcycle along, and I didn't think that was practical in a Bay. So I now have a Vanagon Westy and a Subaru engine that will be going into it sometime in October.

<The Baywidow is the bus I fell in love with - way before I even accidentally
owned my first Vanagon. I'm so glad to have a Baywindow in my life now as
well - even if it isn't really mine. I hope all the naysayers out there
don't turn out to be right :)>

Nah, there's really nothing wrong with them , enjoy!     Jeff