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Re: What's the average age?
James A. Marks
I bought my 99 EVC last year at the age of 30.
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-James Marks From: Scott Douglas <sdouglas@...> |
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Re: What's the average age?
We bought our EVC in 1/98 when I was 35 and my wife was 33. No prior
vans or campers, but multiple prior VWs. Joel Funk 97 EVC "Obi Wan" 97 Jetta GLS "Yoda" (Ex: 90 Corrado "Otto", 78 Rabbit "Jack" & 77 Rabbit "Thumper") "scott douglas" <sdougla-@...> wrote: I was wondering what the average age of a EVC owner was? I know thatthey are very expensive and are a lot of money to tie up in a camper, so Iam thinking that it is a older group who can afford one. So who is theyoungest and the oldest that we have on this list. I was 38 when my wife and I |
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Re: convince us!
Sheldon H. Winick
Steve,
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The EVC is a nearly-perfect RV for 2 people. In my opinion, that near-perfect rating declines with the addition of additional family members because of space limitations. That said, I should note that when we had our '78 VW Camper, we also had 2 kids and 2 German Shepherds and we survived just fine with the addition of the side tent and a small tote trailer. The side tent takes about as much effort to set up as a pop-up trailer, but is much more trouble in bad weather (rain, etc.). Before the '78 VW Camper, we had an Apache pop-up trailer, which we also loved. The main advantage of the VW is it is much easier to pack and is always set up and accessible (sink, stove, refrigerator, clothes, food, porta-potti, etc.) so you can stop anywhere and have immediate access to anything (or not even have to stop for that matter). With 3 kids like you have, the oldest being in the mid-teens, perhaps you might want to consider both the EVC and a small pop-up tent trailer, so you can have the best of both worlds -- and separate sleeping accommodations for the adults (EVC) and the kids (pop-up trailer). The older kids especially, would most likely prefer that arrangement, and it would give you the option of leaving the kids with grandma sometimes and leave the pop-up home for a more "special" get-away weekend on occassion. As the kids go off to college, you could sell the pop-up and still have the great EVC for yourselves. Just a thought. Keep in mind also that space is limited in the EVC, and if you pack in a family of 5, you're going to be real hard pressed to find additional space left over to stow a side tent, sleeping bags and other gear. The VR6 engine is definitely strong enough to pull a small pop-up camper box. Keep in mind that the center bench seat interferes with access to the cabinetry and refrigerator, so you'll probably want to get the single center seat option instead (or just wait til the oldest goes off to college in a few years ;-). On the other hand, if money is a critical issue right now, perhaps just a tent trailer and new tow vehicle might be the best solution to your families needs. A large tent trailer, once set up, is considerably larger that the EVC. As you can see from the comments of EVC owners, though, the VW camper vehicles are really a "lifestyle" not merely a vehicle for transportation. Once you get your first, you'll probably be hooked for life. <grin> Sheldon '97 EVC ----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Mecham" <spmecham@...> To: <ev_update@...> Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 4:26 AM Subject: [ev_update] convince us! Newcomer here! Cool site!! |
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Re: Tok to Dawson
M & T Benne
We did the "Top of the World Highway" in August of 1998 as part of our
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honeymoon travels through Alaska, the Yukon, northern British Columbia in our 1995 EVC. The Canadian side of the highway is chip sealed and not a bad drive. The scenery is supposed to be phenomenal however the day we drove, it was socked in with fog! The American side, which is the majority of the drive, was gravel road. We could only do about 50-60 kmh on average and slower in other spots. There's not a lot on the road. You get to see Chicken, Alaska (pop. 25) and there are remnants of old dredgers from the Gold Rush days as well as current placer gold mining sites which was interesting. Dawson is worth the trip. It has been preserved and restored to the turn of the century, right down to the dirt streets and boardwalks. I'll put in a pitch now for a real driving experience - the Dempster Highway. It is about an hour outside of Dawson and it takes you over 700 km of dirt roads (one way) to Inuvik, N.W.T. Check with the visitors centre in Dawson regarding the road conditions. There's also a register there of people who've recorded their experiences on the highway which provides essential information to successful travel. It is recommended that you take an additional spare tire. It is not uncommon for people to get on and even two flats during the trip and the only place to get service and gas up (or even see anyone apart from cars passing on the road) is in Eagle Plains, half way there. Part of the reason for flats is due to the use of shale to cover the initial portion of the road in the N.W.T. which can easily puncture tires with quick breaking. If you underinflate the tires by 5 to 10 lbs, it will dramatically reduce your risk of a flat. We did it both ways this way and didn't have trouble. It takes about 12 hours to drive, maybe longer. We did our return trip in 91/2 hours but the roads were dry that day and we tend to drive like maniacs anyway. If you have squeaks and rattles in your EVC from road bumps, try to cushion squeaky parts before you go or they'll drive you nuts! It can be a bumpy ride. Despite all these cautions, it is well worht the trip due to the incredible beauty of the region. The tundra rises from the flat to graceful sloping mountains called pingos. The Peel-Oglvie region has beautiful mountains almost as spectacular as the Rockies with way less tourists and a majestic silence that is breathtaking. There are ferry boats over the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers which operate efficiently and provide a brief break from the drive. We saw ptarmigan, black bears, and foxes on our drive, however you can sometimes see caribou and musk-ox. Inuvik was a lot of fun. There's a good dinner theatre there and you might want to check out when the Great Northern Arts Festival is happening to coincide your trip with that. It was around the end of July when we were there and it just happened to be on then lucky for us. It was great opportunity to meet Inuit artists from all over the Arctic and buy directly from them. The deals on art were incredible. The North is a fabulous trip and I hope you have a long time off to enjoy it. We were up there over a month and it was too short. We'll hopefully be making the trip again sometime soon. Have a great time!!!!! Margaret and Tobi ----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Tiessen <ttiessen@...> To: <ev_update@...> Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2000 1:48 PM Subject: [ev_update] Tok to Dawson We plan to go to Alaska in July and are thinking of coming back throughFor that matter, what is it like all the way on that loop from Tok down to |
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Re: many (99EVC new owner questions)
John Waterman
Ed,
Normal scenario is that I think it is time to refill the tank (like just before leaving on a trip) and end up only getting? a gallon or two in it.? I would have to say that I only fill it a couple of times a year.? Spent one night outside my daughters house when it was 15 below and 25 mph winds.? Checked the gauge the next morning and could hardly see movement.? Yes, the light on mine does turn green after filling and the whole system seems to be moderately accurate.? I would concur that a good thing to do would be to purge the system (the Winnebago manual suggests purging the system 3 or 4 times to remove all residual air) and then see what results you get. I have been on this list for several years and I do not recall anyone complaining about the longevity of the propane tank. John "Edward A. Bevan" wrote: John John Waterman
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Re: What's the average age?
John Waterman
Gee, another survey! I (and my wife) are 54. Bought our first VW camper when
we were 24 (1969). John 1McCulloch wrote: EV MV - 36. First one when I was 32.-- mailto:jwwaterman@... John Waterman Parker,CO |
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Re: convince us!
John Waterman
Steve,
I have had two and would not be without one. When my "95 was wrecked, my daughter made the comment that dad didn't lose a car, he lost a life style. I would recommend going for the "99. The camper versions only come out every two years ( ie. there have been '95's, 97's & 99's). Next one out will be 2001 if they continue to make them. John Steve Mecham wrote: Newcomer here! Cool site!!-- mailto:jwwaterman@... John Waterman Parker,CO |
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Re: What's the average age?
1McCulloch
EV MV - 36. First one when I was 32.
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Douglas" <sdouglas@...> To: "EV list" <ev_update@...> Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 9:14 PM Subject: [ev_update] What's the average age? I was wondering what the average age of a EVC owner was? I know that theyyoungest and the oldest that we have on this list. I was 38 when my wife and I |
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Re: convince us!
1McCulloch
I used to own a '93 EV and traded it last year for a Durango. The '93 EV had
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numerous issues related to the dealer not disclosing that it had been wrecked. More recently I traded in the '98 Durango for a new EV MV (different dealer). I don't miss the Durango at all! The Dodge was really cool looking, but I had the following issues with it: *It was large and hard to maneuver. Difficult to park. The Durango is absolutely not "better around town". The EV is a breeze to maneuver. *For a large vehicle, it did not have very much interior room. We felt cramped after being in an EV in the past. *Four wheel drive did not help it much with traction. It was great in mud and sand or deep snow, but terrible with just a little snow or rain. It felt very unstable and I thought I was going to die in it on several occasions. The winded knocked it everywhere. The EV is excellent in poor weather! *A real gas guzzler. The EV is not light either, but it's at least 25% better than the Dodge. *There are just too many of them on the road. *My family and friends who thought I was insane for buying the '93 EV in the past, begged me to get one again. *The Durango is an expensive vehicle, but had a budget feel to it. Thin plastic pieces, snapped together, produced rattles. The dealer opened it up on 4 occasions to remove broken panel pieces. The intake manifold gasket was defective, the shift column broke, and it started to rust (actually rot through the window frames). I cleaned it all the time to no avail. The EV certainly will have some issues, but there's nothing else like it out there. The quality is top notch compared to any Durango. I found the prices similiar between both vehicles; compare what you get. The Dodge had better styling and a more masculine look. If you want to get a date, buy a Durango. If you want something fun and practical, buy the EV. ----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Mecham" <spmecham@...> To: <ev_update@...> Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 4:26 AM Subject: [ev_update] convince us! Newcomer here! Cool site!! |
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EVC vs. trailer camper
Hsin Peng, M.D.
Newcomer here! Cool site!!We are agonizing over whether to spring for a 2000 EV camper w/3rd seat for family of 5, youngest age 14. Yeah, that means a tent to the side and stuff on top. A dealer had an EV on "hold" but we were able to look it over and test drive. It would be the travel and recreation vehicle, with some around-town and to-work. The prospects for a `98 or `99 used EV don't look good; we've been watching for them in our area. Alternative: (please don't be insulted) Durango SUV + tent trailer + $3k-$6k savings. The EV being from VW and a camper does bring back memories of cruisin' the country in the old bus ... Hmmm, the kids probably shouldn't hear some of those... but boy, the V6 EV sure has differences! OK. The alternative would be a little better around town and the kids say we could go 4-wheeling in the mountains (to be determined if we really would). The $$ difference is a factor. But on the other hand there would be the trailer to store, and there is more convenience and nostalgia for everything in one vehicle... So, a challenge: Can you help to settle this family quandry? Should we grab one of the EV's the dealer has on order? Did anyone have experience with something similar to the "alternative"? Your wisdom would be appreciated. Steve> Hi, Steve, I hope I can give you my opinion. I purchase my EVC in Apr. 99 to replace my 1990 Jeep Cherokee with Jayco pop-up tent. The main reason for change was that Jeep was too old and started to accumulate a tremendous maintenance cost. The second reason was that my wife who had difficult time driving a truck towing the pop-up tent by herself and occasionally she had to take two kids 12 and 14 years old alone for camping. One of my main concerned at the purchase was whether EVC would be good in handling the snow situation in NJ, this year we have quite a lot of snow in NJ and I had to say that I am pretty satisfied with EVC handling the snow situation. EVC and pop-up tent just serve the different camping style. Pop-up tent has enough space inside that we can sit around inside in the camping ground with 4 of us very comfortably and we enjoyed just doing nothing in the pop-up tent. EVC is just too small to fit 4 of us inside to sit around. If we have to set up another tent, then the whole set-up time will be about the same compared to set up the pop-up tent. EVC was good if you drive from point A to point B, do a lot of touring and then retired at night. It was too small a space for 4 to use the inside as a camping tent other than sleeping. Besides, you have to shuffle everything around to get into sleep and shuffle everything back in the morning to get around the town for all your day time activities. Pop-up tent, you can basically leave everything as it is after settled in the camping ground. You have three kids with the youngest at 14, definitely EVC is too small for the family without another tent by the side. If I were you, I would go for trailer tent with 4x4. Don't get me wrong, EVC is a very good camper and I really enjoyed driving around. Now our camping style changed and EVC serves it pretty good in this way. Let me know if you have any further questions. Peter |
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Re: convince us!
In a message dated 2/6/00 9:56:43 AM, jwwaterman@... writes:
<< dad didn't lose a car, he lost a life style. >> Imagine if VW actually advertised that they make the EVC (or any EV for that matter)! I bet sales would double. They could use your slogan " don't just buy a van, buy a lifestyle"! Ron '93 EV MV (original owner) |
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convince us!
Steve Mecham
Newcomer here! Cool site!!
We are agonizing over whether to spring for a 2000 EV camper w/3rd seat for family of 5, youngest age 14. Yeah, that means a tent to the side and stuff on top. A dealer had an EV on "hold" but we were able to look it over and test drive. It would be the travel and recreation vehicle, with some around-town and to-work. The prospects for a `98 or `99 used EV don't look good; we've been watching for them in our area. Alternative: (please don't be insulted) Durango SUV + tent trailer + $3k-$6k savings. The EV being from VW and a camper does bring back memories of cruisin' the country in the old bus ... Hmmm, the kids probably shouldn't hear some of those... but boy, the V6 EV sure has differences! OK. The alternative would be a little better around town and the kids say we could go 4-wheeling in the mountains (to be determined if we really would). The $$ difference is a factor. But on the other hand there would be the trailer to store, and there is more convenience and nostalgia for everything in one vehicle... So, a challenge: Can you help to settle this family quandry? Should we grab one of the EV's the dealer has on order? Did anyone have experience with something similar to the "alternative"? Your wisdom would be appreciated. Steve |
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