Comments on: Little Miss Sunshine vs The Soccer Mom http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/ ... 'cuz we want to live in a van down by the river. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:42:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: phil http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-584 phil Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:47:03 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-584 i have been looking for a vw minni van for years it is a graet investment if you are a collecter but not if you want a daily driver if you live in wi and are not interested in the vw please let me no and if you could tell me how to find it thank you and good luck hunting phil i have been looking for a vw minni van for years it is a graet investment if you are a collecter but not if you want a daily driver if you live in wi and are not interested in the vw please let me no and if you could tell me how to find it thank you and good luck hunting phil

]]> By: Andrew http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-383 Andrew Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:47:07 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-383 b Says: "5. Get “How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot” by John Muir (ISBN: 1566913101)." This book kept my 68 Bug Alive, until a mechanic testing out a 280Z for break failure...totaled my Lil Red Bug. It's a great book, and if you're not working on your VW, it's just fun to just read. b Says: “5. Get “How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot” by John Muir (ISBN: 1566913101).” This book kept my 68 Bug Alive, until a mechanic testing out a 280Z for break failure…totaled my Lil Red Bug. It’s a great book, and if you’re not working on your VW, it’s just fun to just read.

]]> By: aaron thompson http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-117 aaron thompson Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:25:47 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-117 I agree with sonny look for a toyota van from 86 to 89 . there great and last forever. some come with a small ice box upfront that will make ice even. and they came in 4wd also. there real tuff and i had a 89 4wd one and it went anywhere. lasted until 400 thousand miles. the back seat even folds down to make a easy bed. if interested email me got a ton of info on them. and check this site out http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/ I agree with sonny look for a toyota van from 86 to 89 . there great and last forever. some come with a small ice box upfront that will make ice even. and they came in 4wd also. there real tuff and i had a 89 4wd one and it went anywhere. lasted until 400 thousand miles. the back seat even folds down to make a easy bed. if interested email me got a ton of info on them. and check this site out http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/

]]> By: Sean http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Sean Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:21:51 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-99 I highly recommend the minivan. The whole soccer mom stigma really is childish. I have been living out of my minivan for over 4 months and couldn't be happier. I have a bunk bed set up in it and still have lots of room. Seriously, they get better gas mileage, easier to drive, cheaper to repair, insurance is cheaper, and they have more power. The only reason to get a minibus is aesthetics, which would be nice, but is far from practical. I highly recommend the minivan. The whole soccer mom stigma really is childish. I have been living out of my minivan for over 4 months and couldn’t be happier. I have a bunk bed set up in it and still have lots of room. Seriously, they get better gas mileage, easier to drive, cheaper to repair, insurance is cheaper, and they have more power. The only reason to get a minibus is aesthetics, which would be nice, but is far from practical.

]]> By: Sonny http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Sonny Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:52:29 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-72 Back in the 90's i owned a Toyota Van...an 88 I think before they became Privias or Siennas. They still make them in Japan, and sell them in NZ/OZ as tramper vans. I bought one when i was in NZ and it carried me everywhere for three months. If you can find one in good condition, they are bomb proof. Toyotas just last forever and get great gas mileage to boot (between 25-30 a gallon). Best of luck, ~Sonny Back in the 90’s i owned a Toyota Van…an 88 I think before they became Privias or Siennas. They still make them in Japan, and sell them in NZ/OZ as tramper vans. I bought one when i was in NZ and it carried me everywhere for three months. If you can find one in good condition, they are bomb proof. Toyotas just last forever and get great gas mileage to boot (between 25-30 a gallon).

Best of luck,

~Sonny

]]> By: b http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-65 b Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:06:30 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-65 From someone that use to own a '72 Bus (among other VWs): 1. I agree with VWBusGuy's excellent comments. 1.a. Go roadtripping first. Try a week, then a few weeks and then longer. Highly, highly recommended and be sure to blog about it. 1.b. They are tiring to drive. Also add in a blast in a crosswind. It can almost be a religious experience. =) 1.c. Learn to love repairing a Type I (or IV for >1972) engine or buy something else. They're great engines but need pretty much constant tweaking. 1.d. Yes, they really do go slow. Think going up a mountain at 25mph AND stopping a few times to adjust the carb. 2. Be prepared to get constantly pulled of by the cops. It's pretty high up on the police's "visibility" scale. Any bumper stickers compounds the problem. Get a late model minivan in silver for the inverse effect. 3. A front impact crash would be a bad thing in this vehicle. A very bad thing. 4. It's a vehicle you will have a relationship with, like it or not. You'll know more about it than you'll ever know about anything else on four wheels. 5. Get "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot" by John Muir (ISBN: 1566913101). I suspect VWBusGuy would agree. 6. If you rebuild and repair the drivetrain and steering et al you should have an uneventful trip. Uneventful = Only minor breakdowns that can be fixed on site. Also carry extra parts esp belts. Always have an extra belt. 7. Get a propane heater. 8. You'll have an experience that you wouldn't have in a water-cooled vehicle. VW buses were popular at one time because they were cheap and used parts could be had anywhere. Not anymore. It seems that the "new" VW bus for this day and age might be an used school bus. Lots of room and not expensive to fix with tons of used parts to found almost anywhere. For the "eco" twist get a diesel and install a biodiesel kit with a manual tank switch. Bonne Chance. From someone that use to own a ‘72 Bus (among other VWs):

1. I agree with VWBusGuy’s excellent comments.
1.a. Go roadtripping first. Try a week, then a few weeks and then longer. Highly, highly recommended and be sure to blog about it.
1.b. They are tiring to drive. Also add in a blast in a crosswind. It can almost be a religious experience. =)
1.c. Learn to love repairing a Type I (or IV for >1972) engine or buy something else. They’re great engines but need pretty much constant tweaking.
1.d. Yes, they really do go slow. Think going up a mountain at 25mph AND stopping a few times to adjust the carb.

2. Be prepared to get constantly pulled of by the cops. It’s pretty high up on the police’s “visibility” scale. Any bumper stickers compounds the problem. Get a late model minivan in silver for the inverse effect.

3. A front impact crash would be a bad thing in this vehicle. A very bad thing.

4. It’s a vehicle you will have a relationship with, like it or not. You’ll know more about it than you’ll ever know about anything else on four wheels.

5. Get “How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot” by John Muir (ISBN: 1566913101). I suspect VWBusGuy would agree.

6. If you rebuild and repair the drivetrain and steering et al you should have an uneventful trip. Uneventful = Only minor breakdowns that can be fixed on site. Also carry extra parts esp belts. Always have an extra belt.

7. Get a propane heater.

8. You’ll have an experience that you wouldn’t have in a water-cooled vehicle.

VW buses were popular at one time because they were cheap and used parts could be had anywhere. Not anymore. It seems that the “new” VW bus for this day and age might be an used school bus. Lots of room and not expensive to fix with tons of used parts to found almost anywhere. For the “eco” twist get a diesel and install a biodiesel kit with a manual tank switch.

Bonne Chance.

]]> By: Mona Mandall http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Mona Mandall Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:34:39 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-63 Oh boy are you guys going to have a great time. My dad, Eagle, lived on the road for 35 years. Most of that time it was in an orange volks wagon bug with a pop up tent on the roof. He was able to survive on the road with very little income by being hyper aware of gas consumption and prices as well as doing most of the repair work on his vehicle. He developed a route where he knew he could get a shower or find an appropriate health food/organic food store to stock up on his favorite goodies. He could turn the simplest of foods into a gourmet feast, always with plenty of garlic. As for the showering, you can hook up a solar shower so at least on a hot sunny day you can clean up easily. Dad used to duck into university pool showers but that was back in the 70's when there was much less security. He also frequented hot springs. One idea is that if you join a big gym like Ballys, you can plot out your route to take advantage of the facilities as they are all over the place. All cooking was done on a Coleman stove that ran on kerosene. He kept fresh water in a big steel milk container. He traded lifes comforts and luxuries for freedom and adventure and never regretted it. You will probably run into the same folks he did and make many good friends. I look forward to reading your blog and wish you all the best. Oh boy are you guys going to have a great time. My dad, Eagle, lived on the road for 35 years. Most of that time it was in an orange volks wagon bug with a pop up tent on the roof. He was able to survive on the road with very little income by being hyper aware of gas consumption and prices as well as doing most of the repair work on his vehicle. He developed a route where he knew he could get a shower or find an appropriate health food/organic food store to stock up on his favorite goodies. He could turn the simplest of foods into a gourmet feast, always with plenty of garlic. As for the showering, you can hook up a solar shower so at least on a hot sunny day you can clean up easily. Dad used to duck into university pool showers but that was back in the 70’s when there was much less security. He also frequented hot springs. One idea is that if you join a big gym like Ballys, you can plot out your route to take advantage of the facilities as they are all over the place. All cooking was done on a Coleman stove that ran on kerosene. He kept fresh water in a big steel milk container. He traded lifes comforts and luxuries for freedom and adventure and never regretted it. You will probably run into the same folks he did and make many good friends. I look forward to reading your blog and wish you all the best.

]]> By: paul jackson http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-60 paul jackson Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:00:48 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-60 If you make it to Columbia MO, I have the perfect $2k van for your adventure. I drove my 92 Chevy full-size hightop van around the country for art festivals through the 90's. It's like a house on wheels. Runs great, perfect maintenance record. You can stand up in it with 1' clearance, sleeping loft built in. If you make it to Columbia MO, I have the perfect $2k van for your adventure. I drove my 92 Chevy full-size hightop van around the country for art festivals through the 90’s. It’s like a house on wheels. Runs great, perfect maintenance record. You can stand up in it with 1′ clearance, sleeping loft built in.

]]> By: Dan Chambers http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Dan Chambers Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:56:18 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-59 Hey - just thought I'd say you guys have a nice engaging style of writing. The "up to one full-sized elf" made me smile. I'll definitely check back to see how you're doing. Best of luck! Hey – just thought I’d say you guys have a nice engaging style of writing. The “up to one full-sized elf” made me smile. I’ll definitely check back to see how you’re doing. Best of luck!

]]> By: baldwithglasses http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-56 baldwithglasses Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:46:43 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/little-miss-sunshine-vs-the-soccer-mom/#comment-56 Y'all need to get a big-ass white Dodge Sprinter van. Y’all need to get a big-ass white Dodge Sprinter van.

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