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Thinking of buying a new toaster

2K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  boblamb58 
Welcome!
A few of us gave VW backgrounds. I drove an 87 Vanagon Wolfsburg Ed. for 7 years (had headgasket issues), then a 90 Miata for 10 (still have, but have 2 kids and need something to seat 4).
A lot of pros/cons depend on what you want and are use to.
Compared to a Vanagon/Transporter/Caravelle:
Box has more power and brakes
- Accelerates fast enough to get ahead of get out its own way, and even many minivans and common sedans.
- Brakes actually stop a box, more than I expected.
Handles rather well, and is also as fun to drive.
Only seats 5 tight, 4 comfortably, unlike the 7/9 (depending on seat arrangement) of the Vanagon.
Both have GREAT headroom and plenty of side-side space for driver and passengers.

General:
back door to my front seat (I am 6'2"), rear seats flat is 5'2"
Most of rear width is 4'
-- On floor, tightest is 38" between wheel wells.
GREAT cargo carrying. I have used it to move much of an office, inc. 5x3 foot office desk.

Overall, the box acceleration is good, but not WRX levels. It is similar to my Miata.
The brakes are FAR better than I expected.
Handling is quite good. On a tight mountain road, I am only 5 mph slower than a WELL set up Miata.
Great cargo capacity, larger than a gen 1, Soul, or Cube. Also is a HIGHLY usable shape, w/ large openings.
Good highway cruising. I cruise at 80 regularly w/ no real problems (more comfortable than wife's Grand Caravan).

Cons: less than I expected.
-Needs a rear sway bar, not much of a problem as TRD has one.
-Has a blind spot on extreme angle pull-outs (solved by slight re-angling, so not really a problem)
-Not supercar acceleration (enough for me to be happy and to shock my father -drives BMW 528- when he drives my xB)
-People don't know what it is (could be a pro)


Overall, I've been VERY happy with my fridge. My wife now wants to replace her van with one, someday.
 
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