Hello - I will update further on this in another message, but I am just on
the brink of buying an '85 Westy with 75K original miles, in excellent
condition (haven't seen it in person, but was sent about 5 pictures and it
looks immaculate), for $6500.  I'm planning on having the owner take it in
for a compression test, leak-down test, and maint. inspection.  Anyway...
 was just on the phone with my insurance agent to see about rates for the
Westy.  He spent about 20 minutes trying to talk me out of buying it!

His main issue (along with lack of power and crappy gas mileage) was safety
and design.  He said Vanagons just fold up like an accordion when hit.  He
basically said the design was terrible and that it was analogous to he and
I went going into a garage and building a car.  He specifically mentioned
the how everything was run by cables that run underneath the car, and that
these are susceptible to corrosion, etc.

Anyway, given that eventually I want to use the camper for touring (as in,
musical) and want to tow a small trailer with equipment behind, he tried to
talk me into getting an early '90s Dodge Caravan with a 3.0 L engine. Said
the they got great gas mileage, were very safe, and had a lot of power.
 And, that I could convert the inside into some kind of camper.

Now, it must be said, he didn't change my mind - I want this Westy !  I
also think Dodge Caravans have about as much character as a cardboard box.
 But, he did give me an interesting perspective.  It must also be said that
he's just the agent, not the underwriter, he so isn't in charge of whether
they'll insure the van or not.  It's possible they won't (guess they're
afraid of people living in 'em - he he :)).

I hadn't heard that about the safety, or about Vanagons being poorly
designed.  Obviously, since we're all on this list, we don't have the same
opinion., but I was curious as to people's response to his views...

Thanks, JJ

(soon to be :  '85 Westy!)