Date:         Mon, 5 Mar 2001 10:54:20 -1000
Reply-To:     Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Are synchros more trouble than they are worth???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Why spend Ten Thousand Dollars more for 4 wheel drive
> unless you are Crocidile Dundee? Becouse thats the
> only real difference between the the syncro and the
> 2WD Westy.IMO unless you live in the snowy mountains
> 4X4 is just an expensive gas wasting novelty.

Well, I guess it all depends on application.  Where I live it is essential
to have a four wheel drive in order to access the best camping spots... and
that's exactly why we bought it.  And it's excellent for our purposes.  I
totally agree with you that if you don't need a 4WD, why buy one?  But if
you are in the market... they are wonderful, unique vehicles.  Sure they
cost a little more to maintain, but IMHO, they are worth every penny.

To each his own.

Aloha,

Mick Kalber (aka, Crocodile Dundee... actually, his name was Mick too!)
89 Syncro Westy "Daddeo"
Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
62 Halaulani Place
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
808-935-5557
808-935-0066 (fax)
hotlava@interpac.net
www.volcanoscapes.com


----- Original Message -----
From: phil stanhope <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 6:03 AM
Subject: Re: Are synchros more trouble than they are worth???


> Why spend Ten Thousand Dollars more for 4 wheel drive
> unless you are Crocidile Dundee? Becouse thats the
> only real difference between the the syncro and the
> 2WD Westy.IMO unless you live in the snowy mountains
> 4X4 is just an expensive gas wasting novelty.
>
> Phil 84' westy
>
>
> --- Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET> wrote:
> > Jason...
> >
> > Buy the best syncro you can afford.  Shop around.
> > List members are an
> > invaluable resource both for finding buses and
> > fixing them.  Understand that
> > you will be repairing ANY vanagon you get... after
> > all, the youngest ones
> > are now ten years old!  The syncros were actually
> > built by another
> > company... not vw.  I forget who... someone on the
> > list will probably tell
> > you.  Ask if they don't and you really want to know.
> >
> > Anyway, the fact of the matter is that the syncros
> > are better build than the
> > 2WD.  More heavy duty suspension... bigger fuel
> > tank... really an excellent
> > vehicle.  And unlike anything else on the road.
> > I've owned five buses
> > now... three of them vanagons and this is the best
> > one I've ever had.  I
> > paid dearly for it (you may have seen my recent
> > post) and had to replace the
> > viscous coupling and do some tranny work, but she is
> > sweet as can be now...
> > I love her.  VC's are expensive... $850 from Derek
> > Drew... much more from VW
> > and others.  Most syncros with a good deal of miles
> > on them need new VC's.
> > Ask Derek about that.  Also look on the syncro
> > list... http://www.syncro.org
> > That site will tell you tons about syncros pros and
> > cons.  Yes upkeep is a
> > little more than 2WD's, but they're worth it.
> >
> > Like any car, it's all in the maintenance.  If you
> > can find one that someone
> > has taken good care of you'll be in good shape...
> > I'm far from being an
> > expert... just a syncro lover.  You will get lots of
> > feedback on the list
> > with a question like this.  Don't let em scare you.
> > Listen closely to their
> > advice... be diligent about our search.... and be
> > patient.  The good ones
> > can take some time.
> >
> > Mick Kalber
> > 89 Syncro Westy "Daddeo"
> > Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
> > 62 Halaulani Place
> > Hilo, Hawaii 96720
> > 808-935-5557
> > 808-935-0066 (fax)
> > hotlava@interpac.net
> > www.volcanoscapes.com
>
>
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