mir gefällt dieser text sehr gut: (gestohlen bei www.gowesty.com)
Am I a Vanagon or Eurovan Person?
The following write-up is a short head to head comparison outlining the major differences between the Vanagon and Eurovan with little bit of personal opinion tossed in for fun. Opinions subject to change without notice.
Here is what we know:
The Westfalia camper conversion was offered in the USA up to and including the 1991 year-model. It was built on the VW Type 2 “Bus” platform up to and including 1979, and then on the Vanagon platform from 1980 up to 1991. Both the VW Bus and Vanagon are rear engine, rear wheel drive vehicles with lots of ground clearance. The Winnebago camper van conversion was available in an extended chassis version (about 15-1/2 inches longer than the regular CL, MV, and GLS models) of the Eurovan in the USA between 1995 and 2003. The Eurovan is front engine, front wheel drive vehicle with very little ground clearance. It is a completely different animal. The Eurovan is superior to the Vanagon in ALL respects, except for these:
- Ground clearance: Must be lifted and leveled to even consider off-roading and even then, see #2 below. For more information on our GoWesty Eurovan Lift Kit click here.
- Turning radius: Vanagons turn as tight as a forklift, Eurovan campers with their considerably longer wheelbase (132" versus 96 inches), have a very large turning radius by comparison making it much less maneuverable, especially in tight off-road types of conditions and for everyday parallel parking.
- Aesthetics: Eurovans do not have the “riding on air”, VW Bus “vintage feel” and looks of the Bus and Vanagon. It is more like a typical mini-van, although our lift and level greatly improves the ride by adding considerable front wheel suspension travel.
- Quality: Most people feel that the Winnebago camper conversion, although it has more features, is not as good quality as the Westfalia.
Other than that, the Eurovan design is newer, quieter, more powerful, less problematic mechanically, you’re more likely to find a VW dealer that will handle repairs, has better ventilation with AWESOME AC, are fully equipped with power everything and cruise control, and has a much more thoroughly equipped camper section: A larger frig that WORKS GREAT, built-in furnace, gray water tank, more cabinet space, more fresh water and LP gas capacity.
So, are you a Vanagon or a Eurovan person? If you have had VW Buses in the past, you will probably think an 86-91 Vanagon is pure heaven. They are just like the Bus, but fixed. Roomier, quieter, more power, more amenities (like a heater that WORKS), more reliable, easier to work on, and longer lasting. Simply put: A better Bus. The Eurovan, as I stated before, IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMAL. Typically, folks with VW Bus memories HATE IT. If you want to do ANY off-roading, you are definitely NOT a Eurovan person. On the other hand, if you are an open road, mountain pass at highway speed, intolerant-of-high-ambient-temperature kind of person, Eurovans are THE BOMB! If you don’t know for sure, you should find a Eurovan Winnebago camper or Eurovan Westfalia Weekender to test-drive and compare it for yourself to see if it is your bag. We usually have both Westy’s and Winne’s to compare here at GoWesty. As far as price is concerned, a trouble-free 86-91, thoroughly gone-through Vanagon Westy will be HARDER to find and can cost MORE to purchase than a run-of-the-mill 95-99 Eurovan Winnebago camper. If you don’t believe me, just look at our “recently sold vehicles” list and see for yourself. Now, I own a 1979 camper and a 1987 Westy myself. But the last time I had to drive across the desert to Utah and back in the middle of the July, you better believe I took one of the Eurovans we had here for sale. It was 122 degrees on the road and we had little bits of ice spitting out of the dashboard vents! Now, THAT’S A/C! Would I want to drive a EV everyday? No, I don’t think so. But then again, I happen to be in the unique position of being able to drive one anytime I want without actually having to own one exclusively. So I am probably not the guy to ask. You just have to touch and feel and drive both to find out:
Am I a Vanagon or a Eurovan person?
