Gerald Rees wrote:

> Our '89 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender has been a treasured member of the
> family for ten years and is still in good shape, but we decided to replace
> it with a new Eurovan.  We want to drive to Alaska again, and at age 75 I
> just didn't feel like facing the possible hassles of mechanical troubles
> along the way.  (On our last trip, the water pump gave out at Dawson Creek,
> 1500 miles from the nearest VW dealer.)  After three weeks, we have mixed
> feelings about the change.

DON'T DO IT

>  There are many good things about the Eurovan
> such as front-wheel drive,

Why is engine-in-front driving the front wheels better than engine-in-back
driving back wheels. If fact it is worse because the front wheels have to be
able to steer too. Too many traction demands to be optimal.

> quiet, accessible and powerful engine with more
> speed than I will ever use,

So put a new powerful engine in your Vanagon. And as you said, you don't need
the speed. You can't enjoy the scenery when driving fast anyway.

> some welcome engineering changes and a
> generally more solid feel.

The Win-a-bagel is NOT as solid as your Vanagon. The Vanagon rattles but it is
SOLID.

> But there just isn't the living space.  Why did
> they make the huge storage space under the back seat accessible only
> through a tiny opening in a useless plastic cover?  (Can I get that cover
> off without destroying it?)  Why no access to the spaces under the front
> seats?  Why make the table so you can't put it up when the bed is made?  (I
> fixed that by removing the leg and improvising a support bracket.)  Why is
> that ugly heater vent sticking up behind the right front seat?  (Can I
> remove that and block the vent without something overheating?)

You answered your own question. Westfalia did it like a small yacht;
Win-a-bagel did like a house.

> I was shocked when the local dealer offered me $300 for the vanagon.
> Although it has 150,00 miles on it, it looks like new.  It is probably
> about due for head gaskets, but that's the only problem I'm aware of.
> Maybe I should have put a couple thousand dollars into repairs and not
> bought the new one.

I agree. Hold on to it. Love it. Who could love a Eurovan?

My Monday Rant
Larry