In a message dated 6/21/02 1:43:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
developtrust@COX.NET writes:

>
>
> > Herb wrote:
> > > Just brought my first Vanagon home and the wife hates it, and
> > > I mean really hates it. She refuses to ride in it. So
> > > unfortunately it has to go.
> > ...
> > WHOA!!!!!       Don't jump to conclusions here!
> >
> > As one who believes in happy and harmonious married life, I just have to
> > chime in here with what I believe are a few pertinent questions....
> > How long have you owned it? As in how many days?
> > Are you a one vehicle family?
> > Does it meet YOUR needs and wants?
> > Does she only ride in it with you or does she need to drive it also?
> > Do you influence what she drives?
> > Got kids?
> > Haul things?
> >
> > NOW...here's my two cents worth.
> > You bought it...you're smart!
> > If you want to keep it TRY THIS...
> > Teach her to first only detest it...
> > Do the following without fanfare.
> > You can do it even as you talk about POSSIBLY selling it.
> > Let the van show itself.
> >
> >   Immediately...
> > Clean it up ( you need to  do this to sell it, anyway).
> > Most ladies that I know don't want to ride in a dirty car!
> > Don't spend all your waking hours on it, but tweak the things that need
> > attention (remember...getting it ready to "sell").
> >
> >   ASAP...
> > Load up your kids (or the neighbors' or your nieces and nephews, etc.) and
> > take them to the DQ, Mickey D's or some short drive... they'll come back
> > raving about it. Make sure she hears them... you may have to bribe them
> ( DQ
> > isn't a bribe ...is it?).  BTW dogs have nearly the same effect...'cept
> they
> > can't rave.... "See their tails are wagging."
> > Since the AC's not working...do this in the cool of the evening.
> >
> >  After a few days...
> > Load three clean garbage cans, boxes or other bulky stuff in the middle
> > section and go to the grocery for her ( with or without her and/or the
> kids)
> > but make sure you load all the groceries into the back hatch (above the
> > engine)... then make sure she helps you unload the groceries.  NO stooping
> > and ducking into a trunk. Easy reach in and see all the other stuff it can
> > carry, too. Since you don't have the rear cushion...put a large blanket or
> > rug back there to keep the things from sliding around and to quiet down
> the
> > engine noise.
> >
> >  After a few days...
> > Offer to roll up a rug and have it cleaned (or do some other task that
> > requires moving a 12 foot long object).
> >
> >   After a few days
> > Offer to clean out a room or some other such task that would require
> filling
> > up the van to show it's utility.
> >
> > The resultant hidden messages are that you can use the van to be the cool,
> > helpful guy that you really are and the wonderful guy that she was smart
> > enough to marry!
> >
> > And THEN, if she still hates it,  write back!
> >
> > --
> > Stephen
> > Chillicothe OH
>

then after that, clean it up, and get that missing rear cushion, and get her
into the back on the sofabed for some good ol fashioned "if the van's a
rockin, dont come a knockin"  :<)  it'll do wonders for your marriage/sex
life as well as make her love the van for sure ;<)

chris