I agree, a coworker has a Eurovan and it doesn't feel solid at all, in fact
there's so much plastic in the interior it's like being in Las Vegas. Regarding
the front/rear drive, I prefer rear driver cars. Although our 86 Vanagon has 350K
miles, it's our keeper, along with our Buick Nailhead powered 47 Ford Tudor, rear
driver too.  We looked at buying a new Acura JL this year but decided to keep the
47.

Lee...

> 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