Year / Model Reviewed: 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Weekender
Summary: My first VW in 40 years of driving, and I'm sorry I waited so long. The engineering is precise and tight. The 2003 is the end of the line, and is an instant classic. It fulfills various needs, including solid travel vehicle, comfortable passenger van, good investment value, and versatile camper that sleeps at least four. The front seats are comfortable on long trips, though not quite as relaxing as captain's chairs. The back bench is more comfortable than minivan benches, and the back-facing seats are plush. We're planning a month-long trip to Alaska to shake the "love-buggy" down. I wouldn't go up there in any other vehicle.
Strengths: Superior engineering, good power on the highway, smooth and quiet ride with windows up, cold a/c, excellent ventilation, roomy for all passengers, great weekender appointments, classic VW styling.
Weaknesses: Average sound system, lacks cd player. A little noisy with windows down. Engine could use an overdrive. Needs a center console between driver and passenger seats. Back-facing seats are too close to the front seats. Have to scratch my head to come up with any major weaknesses.
Similar Products Used: Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager. Eurovan is superior on many levels.
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Rating Reviewed by: Basil Owen(Unregistered User)
Review Date November 15, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 2.50 of 5,
8.00 votes
Review 2 of 16
Price Paid:
$29000.00
from Westside VW
Summary: I finally broke down and bought a replacement for my 85 Vanagon Weekended. I wish I would have done it sooner. This van is fantastic!
Strengths: Excellent view of the road; powerful engine; tons of room; versatility that is unmatched by any other vehicle out there! Excellent heater (important in Minnesota); Did I mention how versatile it is? Try sleeping for a week in a BMW!
Weaknesses: The sound system is a little weak. I'll have to take care of that. There is not as much storage room as in the Vanagon. I will have to get a creative in storing my camping gear. It needs a center console.
Similar Products Used: Vanagon Weekender. I won't do any other kind of van.
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Summary: We have had VW's for years and almost left for another product but couldn't seem to find the quality and the look we wanted. The 02 came out with Summer tires and nice mag wheels and for 225$ we got a set of 4 wheels and tires for the snow. I kept my CD player from my 99 Passat and simply had to route the cable that I purchased at the dealer to the passenger seat location and boom we have CD.
Ours is a 7 pasenger lots of room adn rides like a dream high visibilty. We had a 92 Eurovan very nice but the 02 has a much better interior great wheel small and sporty. It fits in out garage and when I'm out it feels like its own little house on wheels. With 3 kids and lots of activities its A1.
Strengths: Lots of power, usual VW craftsmanship. Many think this is a weird van but in fact there are no others in Europe where they have harsh weather testing for this van is perfect for our weather conditions. Heat and A/C are also very good nice dash lighting blue and red makes night driving very easy on the eyes. Floors easy to clean level with the door seats are high enough to get under the interior doesn't seem to make you feel claustraphobic. My wife likes both front and rear seating the abck seats are a bit higher making the passengers much more comfortable and providing great visibility. This does in no way restrict the driver from rear view clutter.
Weaknesses: Some small pieces falling off. My centre caps on the mag wheels just decided to exit late Fall of 2003 and the drivers slider window black strip has taken to flight on its own twice now. Nothing major. Needs a centre console would be nice if VW came out with a retro and provided it at cost to all of us North American coffee drinkers and paper collectors.
Summary: Purchased van primarily to transport my disabled child in his wheel chair. As the van is tall and the middle,rear facing seats remove very easily,this van was perfect. No need for major alterations in vehicle,just have some tie downs installed in floor and buy a couple of aluminum ramps and your on your way. perfect for this application.Van has turned out to be more than we expected. Great view while driving,traction control works great in bad weather. Pop top easy to operate and use. Nice to have a vehicle that's different. The styling seems to be holding up well as some other vans are beginning to look dated. All in all a good reliable purchase for our family. Several long trips(canada,atlanta,alabama,washington d.c.) and no issues whatsoever.
Strengths: Plenty of power,tons of room and very versitile.The Swiss army knife of vans.Electric cooler,curtains on windows cup holders,power outlets,and pop top sleeper is fantastic.Great for cruising the highway and better than my Caravan which my family loved.
Weaknesses: No console in between front seats and rear facing middle seats are a little to close to the back of the front seats, no rear outlet for air conditioner in my model(pop top).Expensive to service for routine mainteinence.
Similar Products Used: 97 Dodge Grand Caravan
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Summary: My husband and I love our van, especially the camping part. Our children ages 4 & 7 love it, too. We're heading for Calif this summer for 2 weeks and actually looking forward to the drive. The warranty is better than past years..5 year/40,000 miles. It's fun to drive and I feel very safe in it.
Strengths: The rear facing seats so that people can actually converse without looking at the back of someone's head, the fridge under one of the seats, the pop-top, table, cup holders,washable curtains, the warranty, and the visibility because the van is taller than my old minivan. And yes, it is easy to find in a parking lot!
Weaknesses: No glove box, no side air bags, rear facing seats only have lap belts but I guess that's all that's needed...
Similar Products Used: Ford Windstar
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