Vw vanagon VS American Vans?

I plan on buying a van in the future, and I was thinking which van is better. I'm thinking of getting a 1985-1990 vanagon, or a 1968-1980 Chevy. I personally love the vanagon a lot more, but I hear terrible things from the engine it has and I don't think I would be willing to pay $12,000-$14,000 to buy a subaru and have professional mechanics install it. From my experience, my dad has had a bunch of muscle cars. From Chevelles, dodge chargers, Monte Carlos, and he currently has 2 trucks. A 66 GMC, and a 67 Ford. You think the Chevy/Ford Van would be a better van? Has anyone here owned both or has had experience with both?

I've got a 91 Vanagon with the 118hp "Tiico" engine conversion (i.e. Uses a 1990's Jetta / Golf / Scirocco water cooled engine). It's far safer in a collision than the Chevy or Ford even though its rear engine, it's way more comfortable and it's quieter. I can comfortably cruise all day long in the flats at 75-85mph and still have some passing power, and I can pull some sizable grades (6%) at a steady 55-65. Plus I get about 18-22 mpg with it. The Subie conversion would be better but the Tiico can be upgraded to 134hp with the right mods.

I love American cars but, I'd take a Vanagon in a heartbeat. They're so neat.

  • Why would people buy older foreign cars instead of brand new American cars? I see it all the time, people driving 7-8 year old Mercedes or BMWs that they paid probably paid around $20,000. They could of easily gone out and bought a brand new Ford or Dodge, but they didn't. They bought a Mercedes with over 100k miles. All worn and torn on the inside. But aslong as they're shining on the outside I guess.
  • Where in the UK can I hire a classic american car for self drive, ie, as driver not passenger? I want to hire a classic car preferably something like a dodge charger or ford 69 gto for a day or two as a gift to a petrol head, obviously I want him to be able to drive the car himself. We're London based but could be in surrounding areas to pick up the car.
  • Are Station wagons related to Mini Vans? I heard that the Ford D186 platform cars are Ford Windstar, Ford Taurus, and Mercury Sable. Because these three cars are on the exact same platform I think the Ford Taurus Station wagon model (1986-2007) is the smaller version of the Ford Windstar minivan. So are Station wagons a more smaller version of minivans (ex. Ford Taurus and Windstar)?
  • GMC vs Ford vs Chevrolet vans? I'm currently trying to buy a Van for my construction business needs. There are three brands which come to my mind, GMC, Ford, and Chevrolet. Which do you think it's better, GMC, Ford, or Chevrolet, in Vans category?

Add Comment