I agree.
  If you want the cornering and handling of a Porsche, buy one (I did!)
  Don't be so foolish as to attempt to make Vanagon truck into a sports car.  It's not one, never can be even close to one, and is an exercise in futility to attempt to do so.
A waste of time and money, and ultimately unsafe.   
  I do recommend owning at least one of every vehicle that you like.  Over the last 30+ years, I've owned over 40 vehicles of all types, and currently have 5, four of them VW's.
  I have never attempted to make one of my vehicles into something that it's not.  I keep them bone-stock, and as close to original as possible.  It's easier to maintain, repair and ultimately to sell, when the time comes.
  Everyone likes an all-original car, and will pay a higher price for it, the closer to original that it is.  A highly modified or customized car has a much smaller audience of fans, so the re-sale value is typically reduced, but there are a few exceptions.
  Never pour large amounts of money, making lots of  modifications from stock, and then expect to sell it for anywhere near what you have invested.  It's foolish, wasteful and a shock when you come to the realization of the time and money that you've wasted, and can never get back.
  Bottom line; enjoy our wonderful vehicles for what they are, nothing more, nothing less.  The only mods that I will do, and recommend to others, involve long-life and preservation.

Mike B.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mark drillock 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 7:11 PM
  Subject: Re: Tires - Why oh why NOT?

  To me that is a bit of a silly comparison. Vanagons are designed and
  built for completely different missions than those 2 seater high
  performance cars.