First I have some questions about the 98 EV and Bug sightings.

Were they "true Bugs"  (As in Mexican Beetles,) or were they Concept Ones?

Were the EV's camper or standard models?

On to the meat of my post.....

Just returned from a two week vacation in Great Britain.  Left for the
airport with five people and luggage with my father-in-law driving our EV. 
He did great with the exception that he hadn't driven stick in 15 years. 
We originally were slated to rent a station wagon but my wife correctly
pointed out that all of our stuff wouldn't fit into it.  Nothing that more
cash couldn't cure.  We upgraded to a VW Sharan Minivan.  Seats seven and
is front engine but thats about all it has in common with the EV.  Upon
seeing it my three year old son wailed "Thats not my van!" It just took him
a little time to warm up to it.  The van is smaller (read cramped) than the
EV  and I found the middle and rear seats less comfortable than my EV's. 
The Sharan is similar to the Honda Odyssey with four hinged doors and a
hatchback.  The rear seats fold up neatly to give some good cargo space. 
We had a 2 litre gas engine and auto which did just fine.  TDI's are
available as well as the VR6.  The VR6 must go like a bat out of hell. 
They weren't cheap and I saw a year old one advertised for 18K pounds.
Overall it was a great van for our trip and it just makes me appreciate my
EV even more.

I don't think there are any Sharan owners on the list, are they?

Finally, I also saw a VW Caddy.  A Polo (Fox equivalent to the rest of the
world) front with a covered truck body with rear door.  Very cool.  I think
a Caddy owner could also belong on this list.

Ken
104303.704@compuserve.com