Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 20:11:35 -0400
Reply-To: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: lurker with buying question
In-Reply-To: <005601c48a33$44bfc440$97a354d8@compaq>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
Syncro. Syncro. Syncro. :)
That seems like a reasonable price on a nice late model Westy. Syncro's
however will usually have a higher price tag (maybe I paid too much,
but I got mine for $25k.)
The Syncro's are pretty much the same as the 2wd brethern with a couple
of differences of significance. They are taller (and hence may sway
more). They have a larger capacity fuel tank (but usually lesser
mileage.)
The same engine is driving a vehicle with 500 pounds more weight (and
may divert it to the front wheels). This means that you might find the
Syncro a bit more cumbersome (slower) to drive...
Unless you swap engines. There are a variety of engines. Waterboxers
rebuilt with big valves (Boston Bob) have gotten mostly good reviews.
Then there are the higher capacity ones that GoWesty sells. I think
those are just too new for us to have a valid history on them.
Finally there is the transplants. Putting Golf or Subaru engines into
the Vanagon. Either of these gives more power and greater (eventual)
reliability with some extra (welcome) capacity. There are also diesel
conversions.
I've done the Golf (aka Tiico) on one of my Vanagons. I went that route
first on the presumption that I'd be keeping it VW. While true, it
isn't necessarly worthwhile in and of itself.
The Subaru transplants go with engines that are very similar in
dimensions to the original engine, but updated with a more robust,
powerful and reliable design.
With any engine transplant (as opposed to just putting a new version of
the existing engine in) you will likely have a few teething issues to
deal with before all is running smoothly.
If you want to enjoy your (potential) new vehicle now, go ahead with
the 2wd. If you are on the East Coast consider the Boston Bob engine
sometime in the future. If you are on the West Coast, please be our
guinea pig and get one of the big Go Westy engines. :)
On Aug 24, 2004, at 7:37 PM, Molly Hunt wrote:
> Hi list--
>
> I've been lurking for some time now, while shopping for a Westy. I
> don't
> know if this is an appropriate question or not, so please forgive me
> if not!
> I'm looking at a 1990 with 119k on it that looks to be in pristine
> condition. Supposing after having it checked out it turns out to be in
> excellent condition mechanically and otherwise, is 13,900 an exorbitant
> price?
>
> Also, I debated for awhile about whether I wanted a synchro. Is it
> that
> much more cumbersome to maintain for a newbie? Do you still get
> pretty good
> access to the backcountry with the regular RWD?
>
> Thank you for hearing my novice questions!
>
> Molly
>
> Thank you
