Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 18:25:48 -0600
Reply-To: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Subject: Re: eurovan poptop conversion?
In-Reply-To: <20060910225019.15185.qmail@web33303.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Well, I can't speak much to the pop-top conversion issue, although I
have somewhat coveted the Westy Eurovans, but I had to pop in even
though it is a little off topic. I have a '99 Eurovan with 103k on
it right now, and honestly this thing has run just great through its
entire run time. I am very hard on my main vehicle because I live in
the middle of nowhere, and make a lot of trips to the hospitals in
the city, 1-2 hours away depending on which hospital is needed.
Other than brakes, I have only had to replace 1 hose, and have a
quirk in the "Climatronic" system. I will say this car is a lot more
costly to repair than a Vanagon (parts are fairly outrageous, at
least in Colorado) but I really do like the van. And heck, if you
want, go out and get a full on Rialta instead - true the milage is
not as good as a stock Eurovan, but it is a full on, way cool
camper. I want one.
Just my two cents on something that is probably OT anyway. Sorry.
David.
'80 West - Blue Midget
'99 Eurovan - Grape Ape
On Sep 10, 2006, at 4:50 PM, mad madeline wrote:
> I don't want to rant on Eurovans, but here are some thoughts about
> the vehicles... from someone who's owned 4 of them. Transmission,
> Transmission , Transmission. The transmissons just don't hold up
> after 50K on the eurovans. And they cost about $5,600 for a
> rebuilt. And you can't purchase a new trans for them... so you
> continue to have problems. If you decide on that vehicle, buy an
> extended warranty. Don't take this the wrong way...the vehicles
> are wonderful to drive and I loved it for that... but they nickle
> and dime you to death after 50K. Check on the Eurovan board at
> Yahoo and read between the lines. People want to stay loyal to VW
> because they have such fond memories of their Vanagons... but they
> are really not being honest about what these vehicles are costing
> them. The gas mileage is only about 13-15 around town ( no freeway
> soccer delivery). And if you do any camping, you will hate the pop
> top. It does not rise as high.. and leaves one feeling
> claustrophobic. Because the engine is in front, there is less
> interior space n the rear. That adds up to cramped camping.
> There's nowhere to put anything. After 4 of them (regular '93, '93
> westie, '97 winnie, and '01 MV, we decided to move back into a
> vanagon style and just drive safe. The Vanagon is also our extra
> vehicle not a daily driver. The Honda I owned was a far superior
> daily driver and never cost me a dime in the 3 years I owned it.
> The 2001 Eurovan cost me $2,000 and the warranty another $6,000 in
> the third year... and the transmission began to go again when I
> sold it. Actually we traded it in when they peaked in price and
> did well... but, I couldn't bring myself to sell it to someone.
> Just think about it before you buy. My thoughts, Mad Madeline
>
> Tim Leek <trleek@GMAIL.COM> wrote: Sad to report that my wife is
> making me sell our 87 wolfsburg. She
> worries about head-on collisions, shoulder belts for the three kids,
> airbags, etc. Picky picky. Said dragon lady is willing to get,
> instead, a 2000 Eurovan. So I am investigating. Poptop Eurovans of
> 2000 vintage appear to command $20-$30K. Good heavens. Too much for
> a 7-year-old van in my humble opinion. However, I've seen many
> non-poptops of same year selling for less than $10K. There's one for
> $9K on ebay right now. This is the buy-it-now price, even. What is up
> with this freaky disparity? Is the poptop really worth $10-20K?
>
> Anyway, here's my question. Can't I get one of those seemingly budget
> 2000 Eurovans, cut a hole in the roof, and bolt on a poptop? Will it
> take the Vanagon poptop or is that entirely the wrong shape/size? I
> imagine these are easier to come by than the Eurovan one. How hard
> would it be to get an actual spare Eurovan poptop to install on it?
> Or does this f-up the air conditioning completely? Or something even
> more crucial... Any advice would be much appreciated! Any experience
> actually performing this conversion would be even better!
>
> Thanks as usual for the great advice I'm likely to get.
>
>
> --
> When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of
> the human race. - H. G.Wells
>
>
>
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