This seems to be the consensus of those who have owned vanagons (or westfalias,
at least), and who then purchased new or newer EVs.  They love the power, but
miss the room, the views, the strength and the funkiness...and the better
layout and design of the camper.  I have heard the same from two owners of VW
shops, one in Germany and one here...the EVs are junky compared to the
vanagon...and not far off their japanese counter parts.  Look at the resale
values, too. The EV campers are selling for less than vanagon westfalias in
excellent condition.  I am sure there are EV owners who love their vehicles,
and rightfully so.  I bet, though, that the vanagons will still be around in
large numbers ten years from now...and will prove to have a longer life span
and more consumer loyalty than the EV.
steve
drc11 wrote:

> I will add to Adam's long with a short:
>
> I went from a '84 Vanagon Westie to a '93 Aerostar AWD to a '86 Vanagon
> Westie Syncro to a '97 Honda Odyssey to a '93 EV GL to a '97 EV camper to a
> '93 EV Westie..... and now back home sweet home to a Vanagon Westie Syncro.
> Ending three years of chasing a vehicle that just isn't made.  The grass
> isn't greener on the other "newer" side -  it is greener on the Vanagon
> side.  The shortcomings of a Vanagon are not nearly as severe as those of
> other vans.
>
> Madeline
> '90 Syncro Westie