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Volkswagen EuroVan
tony
Member Posts: 2
in Volkswagen
I am in the market for a 98 Volskswagon Eurovan. I
would like to know any information
from previous owners of earlier years on
reliability
or problems.
would like to know any information
from previous owners of earlier years on
reliability
or problems.
0
Comments
But, my VW dealer tells me that Volkwagen will release the present European Van in the US this spring (called the SHARAN over there).
I drive a GTI now but am in the market for a minivan sometime in Spring '98. My 1st choice is a Grand Voyager. Both my GTI and Jetta have been great for reliability - so I am holding out for reports and reviews on the SHARAN when it hits the US.
You are correct, the Eurovan is ude back late this Spring or early this Summer. It will be just like the model previously sold here except for that it will have the VR6 engine and dual air-bags. In Europe it's called the Caravelle, not the Sharan. The Sharan is a much smaller van shared with Ford and built in Portugal. It is rumored we might get a version of the next generation Sharan due in 2002, to supplement the Eurovan.
taflaherty-
The VW Camper is technically considered a conversion van since Winnnebego modifys it. That is why Edmunds dones' have the pricing.
Jon
"The Roaming Host"
IF you need a van, check out others while you are waiting. We finally bought our second choice. But if VW does come out with it, we will get one when this one gets too old to drive.
The suspension is somewhat under-engineered for the weight on the left side (fridge, stove, fuel tank, water tank, etc.) and I had to install some load boosters/stabilizers (Timbrens) to provide for stability and control, especially on the corners.
The '97 Eurovan seems to be available out here in Western Washington. In fact the local VW dealer has two of them available now.
Also, anyone hear anything about the cost of the Weekender? My dealer said he has the figures but I never seem to get them.
passenger with two bench seats. I've heard they will be getting an MV 6-cylander, does anyone know?
It's definately fast or faster, Takes off pretty good. I liked it a lot and plan to buy one, but I'm holding out for more styles and colors, and to
maybe see some on the road first. One dealer had a price of 33K and another one a friend works at and they were 27K.
The VR6 develops only 140 HP in the Eurovan, which seems a little low, considering it produces so much more in the VW cars. I guess they tune it more for torque, but still--140? At least it gets decent economy--they list it at 22 city, 28 highway.
They also have a good selection of pictures, in the "Gallery" section of the site. Check it out at www.vw.com
I love the size and uniqueness of it. Am I nuts to buy one or will it be a great adventure?
Donald Baxter
Passenger Van.
Sorry, no picture. :-(
KarenS/roving host
I've decided to buy an Odyssey 99'. 210hp, Honda reliability and ergonomics, sedan-like ride?
VW could have at least priced the Euro at $25k. What gives?
the EuroVan you can go to
http://www.thecarplace.com/homecar.htm
Be aware, that the reviewer was not too fond of the van.
My wife & I, for example, are on that. We bought a new Eurovan Camper several months ago and love it. No other automaker produces anything that you can even compare with it, though a full size American van conversion is closest. But none of those had enough front passenger legroom--check 'em out and you'll see.
Tell us whether you agree with our review!
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, edmunds.com
Thanks
KarenS/Vans host
The reviewer also got some important facts wrong. For example, it runs on regular, not premium, as stated in the manual and verified by my experience.
The reviewer also made the error of treating nits like the lack of a glove compartment as if they mattered as much as crucial features like its excellent handling and capaciousness. The reviewer also failed to recognize the compromises required to achieve its key benefits. For example, you have to climb up into the driver's seat because the Eurovan is as tall as a full sized van. That compromise delivers a terrific view in traffic--you can see problems sooner than minivan drivers--and over bridge railings and the like--as well as the versatility of being able to carry very tall cargo. You can't get one without the other.
I've always liked the Edmunds site but your Eurovan review is decidely amateur. The reviewer should have taken half an hour to query the Eurovan owner's email forum, available through emailing ev_update@maller.com with Subscribe in the message. There dozens of Eurovan owners who have nothing to gain or lose from communicating with you will answer questions and talk honestly about their experiences with Eurovans of all vintages and types.
And while your reviewer got sneers about the Eurovan's looks, my wife and I drove it to church a while ago and after services popped the top up to show it to our friends there. It immediately filled with every child who could get into it, all of whom then begged their parents to get one, because it made so many coolness points with them. 'andsome is as 'andsome does, and they were gaga over the upstairs bed, the fridge/stove/sink/propane heater, all cleverly fitted into a vehicle a foot shorter than the Ford station wagon we'd had before.
And as for the price--the Eurovan camper's about $35K. A full sized Ford van with a comparable camper conversion costs over $40k. By those lights it's a bargain. We look forward to driving ours for a dozen years or more.
the reviews do seem to miss the mark. Especially
with certain vehicle types, biases really show.
For example, I've noticed many of Edmunds'
reviewers focus on what the "office staff" says or
thinks. ;-) The problem with that, is it seems
(through remarks I've read) that most of the
Edmunds staff drive suvs, and other more popular vehicle types; and they're very removed from most van owners need and want.
But to add, the Eurovan is not going to appeal to
the your typical van owner. The Eurovan is a
specialty van for really laid back folks that love
camping and road travel.
I will give Edmunds' reviewer (Christian Wardlock)
credit for at least acknowledging the van "will
appeal to many outdoorsy types who love camping..." Too bad he doesn't elaborate more on van in this respect.
Yes, it's good to hear about engine, handling, and
etc..., but it would be nice if one of Edmund's
staff members had taken this van out (with his
family) on at least one weekend camping/road trip,
to give us some real useful information. For
example how easy does the tent set up, is the bed comfortable..., and other target market user functions?
Although, I suppose if the Edmund's staffers are
not the camper types..., then the review would have been also been tainted with a bad camping
experience. ;-)
My older brother (38, medical doctor) bought the
VW Eurovan for one main reason, so he could take
his family of 4 camping, as much as possible. For
him, camping is not just an occasional recreation,
it's a major part of his lifestyle.
He also wanted a van that could fulfill his
everyday commuting needs. This van will also appeal to middle age empty nesters, or retired couples, that want to take some time to hit the road, see the sights, but still need a van for basic at home transportation.
The Eurovan is not going to be appreciated by those just going to/fro the office... a good portion of mainstream America has an ongoing love affair with camping and road travel, and is reaching retirement age, so possibly that this van just might make a small dent in the market.
Now with that in mind, I still don't think the VW
Eurorvan is perfect by any means; there's plenty criticize... However, since there's not many other vans on the market that has a tent sticking out of the top and a table & bed in the back, this laid back target market is probably going to be more forgiving, than most other van owners, about the misses.
Anyway, in closing, I'd also like to add I do
enjoy the edmunds sight a lot. (Hope I havn't
ticked off the review staff too much.) I appreciate much of the information here including many of their informative reviews. ;-)
You make good points, definitely agree. The vehicle will definitely have a niche market. I like the fact that they are unique. I love the height and oddness of it.
Last year, I was poking around looking at used 1993 models. Almost all had rust problems which struck me as odd. Also, parts costs are supposedly very high.
I hope VW has rectified the above two problems, but we won't know for a while, now will we? I still think $30k for the base MSRP is probably its greatest flaw. The Euro is plain expensive!
Here's a guess, but it wouldn't surprize me to see VW pull out a 2001 model New MicroBus (make it a Synchro while I'm dreaming) and price it right (say $20-25k). That would be very cool. Of course, Chrysler has the PT Cruiser coming soon.....
Also, it may be boxy, but man can it haul a lot of stuff. Just this past weekend I used it to bring home a full-size sleep-sofa and new bathroom vanity -- without having to remove any of the seats.
Still, I too hope for a redesign (yes, Quattro would be nice) by the time I get ready to retire my well-used and well-loved Eurovan MV.
Westfalia, Club internationa...
Adresse(s) d'email :
ciccwq@megantic.net
Au revoir!