On Sun, 12 Jul 1998 the Hamburgler said:
>I'm looking to buy a smaller ''zip around town type" car to keep the wear
>and tear on my 84 westy to a minimum (a red VW cabriolet convertible appeals
>to me) any recommendations?

in all seriousness, what about another vanagon? a non-camper. maybe an
automatic (for all the red lights and stop signs)??
advantages -
- no "negative learning" involved ... all controls are in the same place and
  work the same way. same entry/exit.
- swap parts to find problems. especially if it's another 84.
- swap wheels/tires.
- lots more room for hauling "stuff" like groceries, household furniture,
  and other big bulky things that won't fit into a "commuter" car.
- insurance won't be as bad as a small 2-door car. check on it and see how
  much more a 2-door rabbit would cost you. :(
- bigger presence in traffic, easier to see ... less likely to get hit by
  some moron who "didn't see you coming".
- you sit up higher, and have better visibility in traffic.
- sitting higher is safer if they do hit you from the sides.
- if they do hit you, you've got an immediate "parts bus". :)
- might be a lot cheaper than a small economy popular car.

disadvantages -
- fuel economy sucks in town. :(
- parts are no cheaper. :( but you can buy in quantity now (filters and such)
  so it might work out to be cheaper.
- not much "pizazz" or "fun". not as much as a little sporty car, anyway.

just a thought. :)
joel
(who tried the little car idea. found it was harder to get in/out of them,
nearly got hit lots of times, noticed that an 18-wheeler TIRE was taller
than the whole car!!!, noticed that i could not SEE anything in traffic
but the butt-end of the car in front, and the wheelspray in rain from other
cars/trucks in traffic pretty much blinded me. kept it four months. and
got rid of it. now i have two buses. wishing the town-bus was an automatic
... old bad knees and all). :)

but if you must, then what about ...
- 80's vw rabbit diesel. great fuel economy. roomy.
- 88-91 honda CRX. fun. fun. fun. great fuel economy. but tiny. :(
- vw jetta?
- AMC Pacer. lots of room. nobody wants to be near you, so it's safer in
  traffic. :) not too good on fuel economy.

just wonton ramblings.