Author |
Message |
msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject: Is the Vanagon's Successor Finally Here? |
|
|
I saw one of these behind the local Dodge Dealership when I took the Dart down for a cheap oil change--and to give the Mechanics a thrill, Big Dodge was quite the celebrity to those who remembered the old '70 Dart Swinger:
The article on them is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Ducato
The dimensions were similar. I mentally did a Westy conversion on the thing as I paced around it. It's smaller than a Sprinter, but bigger than those micro-Fords and most mini-vans. I don't know what the power, cost and mileage are, but Chrysler WILL be selling them.
I don't know if Fiat HAS done anything to fix their old reliability issues. But I admit to wondering...
Best!
(Changed the subject since they booted this to the 'Off Topic' forum. I thought it was apropos, but, hey, no worries) _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."
Last edited by msinabottle on Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think that looks pretty cool.
Just looking at it, it appears to be about the size of a small Sprinter.
Personally, I would take a Mercedes turbodiesel any day over a Fiat . . .
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
highsierra Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011 Posts: 269
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
climberjohn wrote: |
I think that looks pretty cool. |
It looks hideous but some how also looks very cool! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
whafalia Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2009 Posts: 685 Location: San Francisco
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
With a slide-out and a fiat 500 in tow it would be a nice euro answer to the horrid mega-motorhomes. I'm having a hard time seeing a poptop on it though. 3,2,1,...lock |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dubbified Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010 Posts: 1406 Location: Redmond, WA
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'd like to see vehicles which expand length, and width to open up some interior area.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Martin C Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Stockholm
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
All major European RV manufacturers has this van converted already.
Adria Twin, Knaus Box star, Hymer Car, to name a few. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vsyevolod Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2009 Posts: 205 Location: Seattle
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Uggin' fuggly...
Stephen
. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've seen a camperized foreign-tagged older model of this on the Outer Banks. My wife told me to quit following it and head back to the grocery that had been our original destination. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
what is the gnd. clearance? _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
82WestyMan Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2006 Posts: 1098 Location: Western OR
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
what i thought was interesting was all the diesel engines...
makes me wonder what the MPGs on those vans is
i mean i love my 40 yr old Westy but there is much to be said about modern technolgy and features
.... just saying _________________ "The floggings will continue until morale improves"
"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell" - Harry S. Truman
82 Westfalia - w/ a Raby 'Camper Special' engine |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dennis Perusse Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 156 Location: amesbury, mass
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hello,
I've always wondered if the word Fiat stood for Fix It Again Tony.
Dennis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sparkleplenty Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2008 Posts: 1110 Location: California
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nah...Give me a Pontiac Aztek instead... _________________ '56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock
"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'd rather see a pic of your Dodge. _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tram Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 22727 Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dennis Perusse wrote: |
Hello,
I've always wondered if the word Fiat stood for Fix It Again Tony.
Dennis |
No, it stands for Fix It All the Time. _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
|
Back to top |
|
|
doc1369 Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2010 Posts: 2859 Location: Las Vegas, NV, again
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Why are modern cars so %$#@ing %^& damn ugly? Would it kill them to NOT have half the vehicle raw efing plastic? $%^& the polar bears and *&^% safety! I'd gladly sacrifice them for a little style, wait I already do . _________________ Fatchicks: Daily drivers, donor cars, collectibles. What can't they do? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:23 pm Post subject: Portrait of a Dodge Dart Swinger |
|
|
Quote: |
I'd rather see a pic of your Dodge. |
Since we're here, anyway...
She's as sweet as she looks.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eaallred Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2003 Posts: 5756 Location: West Valley City, Utah
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Did I google that right? 39.2MPG?
I think when I need a new van for my HVAC business, these will definitly be looked at..... _________________ Eric Allred
You have to remember something: Everybody pities the weak; Jealousy you have to earn. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
zozo Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005 Posts: 5217 Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
Eaallred wrote: |
Did I google that right? 39.2MPG?
. |
With aerodynamics like that, how could it not?
Maybe the started at the top of a mountain and measured the mileage on the way down. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sparkleplenty Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2008 Posts: 1110 Location: California
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Is that a Hirschmann red tip antennae? _________________ '56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock
"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchback Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003 Posts: 7024 Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Eaallred wrote: |
Did I google that right? 39.2MPG?
I think when I need a new van for my HVAC business, these will definitly be looked at..... |
Google told me the same thing. That's unbelievable. Looks like I know what type of van I'll be looking for in a couple years. A 1.5 mpg hit for the high roof, but it's still incredible considering what other vehicles in the class get. I just hope Fiat/Chrysler won't dumb it down by shoving a 'hemi' in it.
http://www.car-emissions.com/cars/model/FIAT/Ducato _________________
zeen wrote: |
Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
FU#3 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|